Democrats for Nuclear Power

From Right Democrat, of course:

It is time for the Democratic Party to once again support nuclear power which has a proven track record as a safe and reliable source of energy. Democrats like Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy were strong backers of the peaceful use of atomic energy. Some party leaders like Democratic House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn endorse nuclear power http://www.heraldonline.com/opinions/story/784306.html but many prominent Democrats still fear the issue or oppose nukes. Unfortunately, this year's Democratic Party platform on energy does not even mention nuclear power and Barack Obama is reluctant to fully embrace nukes due to pressure from hard-line environmentalists.

Our party leaders need to recognize that times have changed. Public support is growing for expanded nuclear and even a number of environmental activists have jumped on the atomic bandwagon. Stewart Brand (founder of the Whole Earth Catalogue) and Dr. Patrick Moore (organizer of Greenpeace) are now prominent advocates for nuclear power.

A bold new voice in our party is found within Democrats for Nuclear Power. I welcome the pro-nuclear Democrats to the blogosphere http://www.pronucleardemocrats.blogspot.com and wanted to share their opening statement with our readers:

Nuclear power is a divisive issue among Americans and especially Democrats, who are often lumped all into the same category as "liberal environmentalists" by the media or Republican opponents.

In the spectrum of political beliefs, America is not solely defined by "Democrat" or "Republican". We don't not all march to the scripted party policies. We each have a right and duty as good citizens to examine the facts and make decisions based on good reason. A person need not know everything or be an expert to make a decision. Knowing the essentials is important and getting a clear big picture of energy problems should be enough.

That said, all the good arguments in the world can be made in favor of nuclear power and those who are in opposition will always find a reason to not be satisfied. The arguments become circular and often more about egos than reality. It has been said that a person cannot be reasoned with to change their position, if that person has come to their position without reason.

Energy independence and pollution control is not a Democrat or Republican issue. Energy is the basis for our civilization and drives the economy forward. The approach to the problems this presents us with are primarily scientific / engineering, economic and political.

Please set your political affiliations aside for the moment and ask yourself if you have an open mind and are willing to change it given the evidence and information about nuclear energy? I was once opposed to nuclear power. Then I examined the information, economics and relative risks of the technology and I changed my mind. Are you willing to be fair, listen, and possibly change yours?

The time is now to be realistic about our energy options. If the scientific and economic analysis proves one plan is better than another considering all relative risks, why would we not choose the most beneficial options?

It is disingenuous to say that nuclear is on the table, yet stonewall the progress with obstacles that already have solutions or at least solutions in development.

Are we ambitious to solve our energy problems or will this be yet another titanic challenge that America does not have the will to overcome? We can accomplish far more if we can agree to solve these problems rather than use them as an excuse not to go forward with progress.

http://pronucleardemocrats.blogspot.com/2008/09/it-is-time-to-be-realistic-fair-and.html