Today. My dilemma in writing about nuclear issues.

Christina Macpherson

March 2

This might be a peculiarly Australian dilemma. I don't know. The thing is - most people seem able to tolerate a bit of criticism of the nuclear industry. And indeed, when I post articles on my websites - nuclear-news.net and antinuclear.net, or on my newsletter, - that's OK.

But if I bring in the subject of Ukraine, or especially of Gaza and Israel, - people get upset. What has that got to do with the nuclear industry? (Well, a lot really - as both situations bring us ever closer to the brink of nuclear war).

The big problem is this. As part of an Australian, and indeed worldwide, movement, for a safe clean nuclear-free world, my stuff is accepted as worthwhile. But, when I digress into examining what is going on in Ukraine, or worse, in Israel - then I am no longer to be trusted. Indeed, I am sometimes being called a Putin-lover, a communist. a terrorist - and especially anti-semitic.

As a consequence, then my anti-nuclear coverage is not to be trusted, either. It's OK to be anti-nuclear - that's a respectable opinion, as long as you're pro Ukraine and pro Israel.

I really don't know how to deal with this. It seems that, to be respected at all, it is necessary to conform to certain dogmas, such as "Russia is always evil" and "Israelis are holy victims".

In my view - Putin is a murderous thug, but Russia is not always to blame, and Russian policies and aspirations should be viewed fairly.

Similarly, I think that the Jews, over history, have been terribly persecuted and murdered, but that doesn't give Israel the licence to now do mass murder of the Gazan people.

There's a dreadful conformity in Australia, and perhaps in all supposedly-white, English speaking countries. We must side with Ukraine, no matter what. And we must not be seen to be anti-semitic, no matter what.

So - I am left with the dilemma - should I ignore those two nuclear-war-trigger situations, in order to sound credible about nuclear matters?

Should I act "nice" about what Israel is doing, and pretend that I don't notice? That is all too easy to do, in Australia, with its relentless media focus on sport.