Readers React: Want a safe, reliable thermonuclear furnace? Use the sun.

Tot he editor: It is interesting to read of the enthusiasm for new, supposedly safer forms of nuclear energy. It is possible that with a lot of thought and money and a bit of luck, we might get it right this time. (“California entrepreneurs push to reinvent the nuclear industry,” Dec. 4)

Nonetheless, I cannot help but observe that we already have a perfectly safe thermonuclear furnace, without which we could not survive. It’s called the sun, and it is a very safe 93 million miles away.

Perhaps we should invest more in better use of that asset.

Paul Cooley, Culver City

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To the editor: As proponents of nuclear power try again to push this unsafe, uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly form of energy, I’m reminded of the long-ago popular anti-nuclear movement slogan that is still relevant today: Better active today than radioactive tomorrow.

Jerry Rubin, Santa Monica

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