These Garbage Burners should be held to account for potentially endangering us all. Like any drunk who chooses to drive or gun owner who refuses to secure their weapons, their willful actions place many others in jeopardy. Only in the case of these Garbage Burners, millions of people are in direct risk.

Perhaps, if we drug a few of them into the streets and flayed the skin from their bones with a horsewhip they'd think more about public safety. Or maybe if the Authorities that Be would just hold them accountable and incarcerate the guilty for a good long time, we'd see more responsible behavior in the future. Either way, I'd sleep better, especially as I live within the San Onofre contamination zone.

Horse whips are a little much, how about 5-10 years in a federal pen and large fines for the utility and all senior executives involved.

San O is my favorite surf spot.

Yes, extreme corporal punishment seems uncalled for. But so was what the Energy Pirates of Enron did to us, and what the Property Plunders of the Big Banks did, and what the Slimy Cutpurses of Wall Street pulled. And every time, nothing was done. So not only do the Wolves continue, they raise their whelps to the knowledge that they're above the Law, and the cycle's continuance is assured.

So yes, dreaming a fantasy that someone will be convicted, sent to prison for a smidgen of years (what's 5 to 10 when the payoff is billions?), and that a few meaningless fines will be levied seems satisfying and "civilized". But since every indication assures us that will never happen, permit me a more gratifying daydream, one where the imagined punishment fits the inexcusable crime.

After all, it's only make believe. Much like the concept of justice and punishment for the wealthy and connected.