We Almost Lost Detroit by J.G Fuller (Reader's Digest Press, $8.95) is a landmark in the history of yellow journalism. The title refers to an incident at the experimental Fermi I breeder reactor in 1966, and though this is not the only subject of the book, it should do as a sample of Fuller's reporting, for the facts are very simple: On October 5, 1966, a metal plate broke loose in the reactor, partially blocking the flow of coolant to two (yes, two!) out of the 100 fuel rods; the two rods overheated and some of their fuel melted. The reactor was promptly shut down and all safety systems worked as planned. No significant radiation escaped the steel vessel, let alone the containment building, let alone making the 30 miles to Detroit, let alone harming a Detroit fly. The reactor was later rebuilt and resumed operation.
That is how we almost lost Detroit. (As in all "incidents," a wealth of public documents is available. For details, write AIF, 7101 Wisconsin Ave. Wash., DC 20014. See also "Why we didn't almost lose Detroit," Detroit Engineer, Dec. 1975).
There is nothing in the book that would make the reader suspect what the simple truth about Fermi I was. Far from explaining that the very first line of defense worked in Fermi's system of defense in depth, or that a disaster was improbable even if all of the core had melted, Fuller tries to make out that a nuclear plant requires infallible people and perfect technology. But his main weapon is "the truth, but not the whole truth, "and to paraphrase his method, one might state that "ever since he wrote his book, Mr. Fuller has not raped a single woman, at least not in broad daylight.
The predictable results were not long in coming. The New York Times Book Review (11/30/75) published a review which, among other hair-raising statements, refers to an imminent threat of nuclear explosion. That, is of course, is no longer innuendo; it is a pure and simple lie. When next you read the New York Times, remember it is the paper that said a nuclear explosion in a nuclear plant was possible; literally, "the technician's gingerly tinkered with the renegade's invisible interior. They knew what the public did not - a mistake could trigger a nuclear explosion."
And remember the Reader's Digest, too. With its sweet-to-putrid sentimentality it tries to masquerade as a wholesome family magazine for Middle America, but it wasn't beyond making a fast buck on this book of despicable distortion. Are the promises made for the goods advertised in the Reader's Digest credible? Perhaps, perhaps not. It in doubt, remember they are published by the people who brought you We Almost Lost Detroit.
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Vol. 3, No. 6
Newsletter: Access to Energy Newsletter Archive Volume: Volume 3 Issue/No.: Vol. 3, No. 6 Date: February 01, 1976 11:31 AM Title: The world owes me a living
Copyright © 2004 - Access to Energy Newsletter Archive
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