On this episode of Acton Line, we talk about HBO’s new miniseries ‘Chernobyl’ and the events surrounding the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, in 1986. Kyle Smith, writer at National Review, joins us for this segment and explains how ‘Chernobyl’ is an indictment of socialism. Afterwards, Aaron Rhodes, human rights activist and co-founder of the Freedom Rights Project weighs in on the Department of State’s new Commission on Unalienable Rights and explains why he’s hopeful about the new commission.

Subscribe to Acton Line in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.

Now become a Ricochet member for only $5.00 a month! Join and see what you’ve been missing.

There are 3 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. sfcgirl Member
    sfcgirl
    @sfcgirl

    I watched it and we don’t need socialism in the USA.

    • #1
  2. Wolverine Inactive
    Wolverine
    @Wolverine

    Great mini-series though I am now hearing people say it caused downfall of Soviet Union. Think Reagan had some role in that.

    • #2
  3. Ruthenian Inactive
    Ruthenian
    @Ruthenian

    I have not seen the miniseries and have no desire to watch it. My wife and I cut the cord some nine years ago and are happier because of it.

    Regarding the events described in the miniseries: A good friend of mine was doing postgraduate studies in the nearby Kiev. I have kept correspondence from him where he described the unreal scenery of the sunny city streets in spring with trees coming to bloom—Kiev is a beautifully green city— and no people or cars. Only every so often a tank car with water would pass rinsing the streets and sidewalks.

    My friend’s scientific supervisor— soon after the incident—led one of the government commissions investigating the accident. I recall from my friend’s letters that the power plant was coming out of maintenance. The normal operating (automated) procedure would had gotten them to full power just days past May 1. To have full power on May 1 to celebrate their biggest communist holiday, the plant personnel went manual and in the process lost control. Has this made it to the miniseries?

    • #3
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.