After Fukushima, time for more nukes

Nuclear energy has a long history of disasters and broken promises.  Now, in the aftermath of Fukushima, the nuclear industry in Australia is suggesting building more:

http://m.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/call-for-renewed-debate-on-nuclear-energy-in-australia-20110420-1dp13.html

Maybe its the possibility of safe nuclear energy using thorium, that has the uranium zealots in such a hurry.

Safe Atomic Fission Energy From Thorium?

We've heard promises of safe, cheap atomic energy using uranium before, but thorium has a range of advantages, including being much more abundant &, maybe, safer:

http://m.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/the-reactor-that-saves-itself-safe-nuclear-does-exist-and--china-leads-the-way-with-thorium-20110323-1c6eb.html

So if thorium has so many advantages, why has humanity persevered with uranium for so long?  It has been suggested by many, including the article above, that uranium use has been driven by military interests (in several countries) that want to use uranium (& its daughter element plutonium) for bombs.  Notch one more up for thorium.