BarbaWire, March 16

Social Media and Japan
Akiko Kosaka, a foreign exchange student studying in California, has confirmed her family’s safety in Minami Sanriku through Youtube. In an interview with CNN, Kosaka said she was thought her family was dead. But then on Sunday she heard from a friend in Japan that had seen a video of Kosaka’s sister holding a sign that read everyone was safe on the balcony of the family’s home. The home managed to survive because it had a basement, according to the story.
There are lots of great stories coming out of Japan, including this one written by my friend Charlie Reed, a reporter with Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for U.S. military abroad.
Unfortunately, there is still plenty of bad news coming out of Japan. Another fire has erupted at the embattled nuclear power plant, while survivors are clamoring for food and water. More.

Speaking of worried Japanese students and people I know. This UCLA student posted a very stupid video where she complained about Asian students taking calls in the library, interrupting her learning and not adhering to “American manners.” Although her complaints are both vapid and valid (I can see being annoyed with people talking on their cells in the library), she takes it to a new level when she does the “ching chong ching” Asian mimic. Too far, girl. And too soon. Oh, I mentioned that I know someone! Not this nitwit, I know Robert Hernandez, the USC professor, from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists! More.



Americans Worried About Radiation
With Japan still struggling to get its nuclear power plants under control, Americans, paritcularly those on the West Coast, are freaking out and buying up as much potassium iodide pills as they can. Potassium iodide protects the thyroid from absorbing radiation.
It makes sense -- the weakened waves of the tsunami made it to the West Coast, so, why wouldn’t radiation make its way across the 5,000-mile Pacific Ocean? Doctors and scientists, however, are saying that the U.S. is not under any immediate danger from the radiation that has leaked so far because it is so diluted by the time it would make it here. More.

Libya Update

Colonel Moammar Gadhafi is slowly regaining control over places previously seized by the opposition and it appears he is headed to Benghazi, the opposition’s stronghold and headquarters. The international community seems reticient to get involved, although Britain and France have said they support a no-fly zone. A no-fly zone would entail bombing runways and airbases to stop Gadhafi. More.


Lift Off
NASA has figured out that the white powder it found at Cape Canaveral earlier this month was cocaine, 4.7 ounces of cocaine, which best I can tell is a whole lot of blow. Now there are two obvious jokes to be made here – one about getting really high and the other about aliens smuggling drugs – but neither are particularly funny. More.


Snooki Wrasslin'
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is apparently now a wrestler. The way she storms across the mat reminds me of all my pint-sized cousins (and mother) that think they are tough. Be careful, those little ones are vicious. More.