The main issue that I feel should be raised concerning nuclear waste is the production of the waste in the first place.  Why do we contunue to create all of this waste that must be stored away for thousands to millions of years in some cases?  The containers holding this waste will surely fail long before the danger from this radio active waste has diminished.  So why create such large amount of waste in the first place? Has science not brought us furture along? Can we not find a better way?

“Certain radioactive elements (such as plutonium-239) in “spent” fuel will remain hazardous to humans and other living beings for hundreds of thousands of years. Other radioisotopes remain hazardous for millions of years. Thus, these wastes must be shielded for centuries and isolated from the living environment for millennia. Some elements, such as Iodine-131, have a short half-life (around 8 days in this case) and thus they will cease to be a problem much more quickly than other, longer-lived, decay products but their activity is much greater initially.”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_waste)

I feel the video and much of the political debate on the nuclear issue misses the main point.  ANY nuclear waste is a hazard to our lives (and especially those living or working in close proximity to these plants).  Nuclear plants and the waste containers (no matter the location) pose a threat to our lives.  One could think of it as a perfect target for enemies hoping to devestate it compeitior.  One leak could cause great harm; but what if the entire place was blow up?

It is deifinitely best to reduce the amount of nuclear plants and waste.  Although there are may be benefits of nuclear fission the drawbacks are too great.  Unless we discover how to reduce the half-life of radio active material (and quickly) there needs to be a movement away from nuclear power towards a more people and environmentally friendly source of energy. 

It is important to remember people should not feel entitled to manipulate all things without a strong consideration of the implications on the earths future.  All life was created and exists in its own right; and man at times takes it upon themselves to control and manipulate all aspects of the globe.  I believe this is beyond our scope of purpose.  Without remaining accountable for our actions and thinking hard about how our advancements effect the universe our lives and the life on earth is headed down a dangerous path of self-destruction.

–KV