Alls fair in love and war...well not for you sailor

For years veterans in countries around the world have had to deal with the dishonesty and intransigence of their own governments in providing accurate details of what they may have been exposed to.

The U.S. is famously (infamously) no different.

But when two different countries who are allies and reasons to be ashamed get together and do this act good luck, you'll need it.

A stunning new report indicates the U.S. Navy knew that sailors from the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan took major radiation hits from the Fukushima atomic power plant after its meltdowns and explosions nearly three years ago...on March 12, 2011 the ship was within two miles of Fukushima Dai’ichi as the reactors there began to melt and explode.

In the midst of a snow storm, deck hands were enveloped in a warm cloud that came with a metallic taste. Sailors testify that the Reagan’s 5,500-member crew was told over the ship’s intercom to avoid drinking or bathing in desalinized water drawn from a radioactive sea. The huge carrier quickly ceased its humanitarian efforts and sailed 100 miles out to sea, where newly published internal Navy communications confirm it was still taking serious doses of radioactive fallout.

There are numerous indications of radiation-caused illnesses, leading to a lawsuit against the Navy and TEPCO the operator of the nuclear power plant. Naturally, in this suit the American government is clearly up to its standard practice in protecting its service-people.

Officially, Tepco and the Navy say the dose levels were safe.

Officially always comes with the nods and winks done off-camera.

 [cross-posted at Firedoglake]