Mangano, The Nation, Reactors & Racism

The Nation printed this piece from Mr. Joseph Mangano, titled Reactors & Racism. I wanted to find out more information about the publishers, and found this:

The Nation will not be the organ of any party, sect, or body. It will, on the contrary, make an earnest effort to bring to the discussion of political and social questions a really critical spirit, and to wage war upon the vices of violence, exaggeration, and misrepresentation by which so much of the political writing of the day is marred.
-- from The Nation's founding prospectus, 1865

I find this quite reassuring, because I can now be confident they will appreciate some light shed upon the vices of exaggeration and misrepresentation found in Mr. Mangano's creative writing.

Let me first state that I was there at the public meeting on June 28 in Port Gibson, Mississippi. So you can understand how I may refute Mr. Mangano's claim:

Numerous local residents showed up at several public meetings, including one on June 28 in Port Gibson, to decry the expansion.

In fact, of 18 speakers on June 28 (not counting those who traveled with me), I heard 2 local people decry the nuclear expansion. Please don't think the meeting was poorly attended, either. An overflow room was set up with a video feed, because the planned meeting room would not hold the 160 people who wanted to be in attendance. Nor did the meeting end before everyone had an opportunity to speak. Before closing the meeting, the NRC moderator asked if anyone who hadn't signed up had comments they wished to share. No one did. For an eyewitness account, read what Michael Stuart wrote here.

But what Mr. Mangano won't tell you is that the African American Environmentalist Association supports expanded nuclear power, because clean air and inexpensive power are both good for minority communities. Had he been there that evening, or read about what happened, he would know that organization spoke in support of a new reactor in Port Gibson.

During my trip, I was approached by people of all races thanking me for my support of nuclear expansion in Mississippi. During my visit, I found everyone to be informed, hospitable, and observant to all particulars that could affect their community. The people I met sought new development and resources for their community - an employer, as well as a partner and investor in local growth and development.

I would suggest instead that Mr. Mangano go to Port Gibson and listen to what the community has to say about they want for their future. Otherwise, with his kind of help, only the affluent communities will get the sort of economic development that so many are desperate to have to improve their resources, educational opportunities, and standard of living.

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