By Eamon Scarbrough
A truck exploded this past Valentine’s Day at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad. This incident subsequently caused a radiation leak, potentially endangering the entire state of New Mexico and beyond.
Seventeen workers at the site reportedly were contaminated from contact with the radiation, and many more stand to be affected if that radiation is now in the open.
According to a model of the radiation’s recent flight path, it has already spread through the air in eastern New Mexico (just south of Portales) and east into Texas—even making repeat stops in certain cities.
Though the Department of Energy reports that we are in no danger as of yet, the news is unsettling at best.
However, even more discouraging is how the media are reacting.
When I began researching the incident, either local news affiliates or alternative news sites did most of the news stories that I could find. Aside from a Huffington Post article reporting that air tests in the plant came back clean, I didn’t see other mainstream media coverage.
The story certainly wasn’t on television, but I at least expected online publications to give it due attention.
Whether there was no contamination actually found in the plant or not, it is still a case that needs to be watched. If radiation does in fact wipe out all trace of life in the Southwest, it will be because there were not enough voices shining light on the matter.
The Huffington Post is a widely respected institution, providing information and news to liberals and the occasional conservative. It is not where I choose to be informed, but it helps bring the news to millions daily, and that is a hefty responsibility.
The article that I mentioned earlier did little more than reassure that the leak will not threaten life in New Mexico, framing the story as one with a light at the end of the tunnel.
I cannot see another issue that would need more objectivity than this one.
While we may know that there is no risk at the plant, we need to keep in mind that there is still a possible latent threat in our midst.
In order to establish and continue objective coverage of such an important issue, we must confront the possibility of the worst-case scenario.
I encourage anyone who is only just hearing about the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant radiation leak to do their research and come to their own conclusions.
I also encourage everyone to stay informed and to inform others.
