Shelley Berkley: “just when I think the Department of Energy couldn't become more incompetent or dangerous, they do something that proves…”

“just when I think the Department of Energy couldn't become more incompetent or dangerous, they do something that proves me wrong. You will find this cartoon character on a taxpayer-funded Web site run by the Department of Energy. His job, Yucca Mountain Johnny, is to convince kids in Nevada that nuclear waste is okay and that the State of Nevada is a safe place to store nuclear waste. What really bothers me is the message that Yucca Mountain Johnny is giving to our school children. This is akin to Joe Camel telling our school kids that smoking is healthy. The Department of Energy ought to dump Yucca Johnny and his slanted, one-sided view of how our Nation should address the issue of nuclear waste disposal. We should stop using taxpayers' money to spread this message. It is despicable. The Las Vegas Sun wrote in an editorial on March 25, ``Children don't need a cartoon character to tell them what is easily understood by most people: nuclear waste is dangerous. Don't let anyone bury it in your backyard.'' Save the people of the State of Nevada, the school children, and get rid of Yucca Mountain Johnny. It is disgusting. ____________________”