Plume panic

MSNBC has a chilling video graphic that shows a large radioactive plume racing across the Pacific on its way to the U.S. West coast. The subliminal message: Be afraid, be very afraid. Needless to say, the ratings-driven messaging is working. The “countdown to meltdown” focus by the cable networks is understandably scaring folks. There’s even been a run on anti-radiation pills (potassium iodide) in the U.S. As President Obama noted in his Rose Garden remarks today, we now know that the plume will only contain minuscule traces of radiation by the time it reaches us and poses no health risks. MSNBC is now prefacing their reports with this fact, but it keeps showing the approaching “Phantom Menace” plume over and over again. It is irresponsible journalism, but, I’m sorry to report, TV media outlets just can’t help themselves.