Has the future really changed or is this a momentary blip?

Has the future really changed or is this a momentary blip?

Although it has been more than two months since I last posted; Fukushima continues to dominate the discussion both within and outside of the industry.  So here I am, sitting on the balcony of my beautiful room in Brunei – overlooking the South China Sea – contemplating how this major event in Japan will  affect us going forward.  Predictions are near impossible with change being constant as events continue to unfold.  Of course, of most importance are the ongoing efforts in Japan to get the units under control and to bring the event to a close.  It is the impact on the people of Japan that is always our first concern.
 
However being in this contemplative mood, I am asking myself; in the medium to long term, is the impact of Fukushima dire or is it demonstrating that nuclear is in fact safe?  Will the future be bright or is it the beginning of the end?  We all have been talking about the events in Germany, although I am not quite sure why.  Germany has had a nuclear phase out policy originating in about 1998 with a clear policy in place from 2001.  Many conveniently forget this.  It was only in 2010 after years of debate that they decided that life extension for their existing units would be a possibility.  So why are we then surprised that following the accident at Fukushima they have reverted to their previous phase out position?  Of course one main difference is that 8 of the oldest plants are now closed with only 9 remaining in service until 2022.