By Martha Woodward

Wild Bill Lindley’s Salute America Radio Show featured a full slate of guests on Sunday, July 13. Discussions ranged from the topics of isotopes, stand-up comedy, and drilling for oil. Lindley’s guests were Dr. Darrell Fisher from the Pacific Northwest  Laboratory in Richland, Washington, Carolyn Buttram, humorist, professional photographer, and cancer survivor, as well as Robin Smith, the Chairman of the Republican Party in Tennessee.

Dr. Fisher was interviewed by Wild Bill because of the issues surrounding the Energy Bill of 2006. There seems to have been an error in the interpretation of the bill which may force the destruction of Uranium 235, 229, and 213. Although the issue is confusing, Fisher gave a detailed definition of isotopes, which are elements that have radioactivity. Fisher is working on Uranium 238, which is the stable form of the element. He also works on research about uranium 235 and 233, which are used for nuclear fuel and are protected and secured.

He explained the process that occurs as uranium 233 decays. The decaying process creates other substances such as thorium 229, and bismuth 213 which has a half life of 14,000 years.

229 and 213 have been found to be valuable in the fight against certain forms of leukemia. Dr. Fisher estimates 213 to be valued at five million dollars per gram (to estimate the size of a gram picture a package of artificial sweeter).

Dr. Fisher hopes citizens will contact their government and stop the destruction of these valuable substances. http://radioisotopes.pnl.gov/fisher_darrell.stm.

Carolyn Buttram, humorist and cancer survivor, was invited to sit in as co-hostess for the entire show. She told a hilarious story of what happened while she was swimming in the ocean in Hawaii. A wave tossed her into the air and pulled her artificial breast into the water. As she chased after the plastic breast, another swimmer thought it was a jellyfish and began to beat it with his water board. After beating the fake breast with several hard whacks, the swimmer swept the breast up onto the board to show his children. All were surprised to see the item on the board was clearly not a jellyfish.

Buttram is available for speaking engagements for groups and meetings who need a comedian or motivational speaker. She also does private photography by appointment. www.carolynbuttram.com.

Another guest, Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee State Republican Party, discussed John McCain’s policies on drilling for oil, keeping taxes low, and being, what she called a ‘work horse” not a “show horse.”