To many Americans the well publicized apprehension of 10 Russian spies seemed to be a throwback to
the Cold War – except for the amateurish bumbling and fumbling involved, which changed a potentially
damaging international incident into a quasi-comedy. But the situation was not as funny as it seemed,
and should be viewed as a helpful warning that the United States is still far too vulnerable not only to
espionage but also to deliberate attacks by true professionals.
U.S. homeland-security capabilities have improved immensely over the past decade. But there are
still too many gaps – in funding, in legislative authority, and in the dwindling pool of career-minded
nuclear scientists and engineers. A distinguished former DNDO official discusses some important steps
the executive and legislative branches of government can take to remedy current deficiencies and upgrade
overall U.S. nuclear capabilities.
The DP40 and DomPrep readers assess their opinions on the use of “social media” (Twitter, Facebook,
etc.) in disaster response. The issues are important and may require the setting of policies –
particularly in view of the legal ramifications involved with regard to liability.
Experts in aviation safety have long recognized that what is described as a “near miss” is actually
a “near hit.” The Times Square bombing attempt deserves the same unflinching judgment: Disaster was
avoided not because of the superior competence of DHS and TSA, but because of the greater incompetence
of a bungling amateur.
The DP40 and DomPrep readers assess their opinions on whether or not the United States hospitals are prepared to deal with the aftermath of a mass-casualty incident.
Are U.S. hospitals currently prepared to deal with the aftermath of a nuclear explosion – or any
other mass-casualty incident? Not yet, according to the DP40 panel of experts. Reader opinions are
hereby requested.
The nation’s “Pandemic Preparedness & Response” capabilities – and deficiencies – are examined,
debated, and discussed by the DOMPREP40 panel of career emergency-management and domestic-preparedness
professionals. As with previous such surveys, readers are asked, and cordially invited, to make their
own judgments on a broad spectrum of these literally life-or-death matters.
The DP40 and DomPrep readers where asked to voice their opinions on how prepared the United States
is for a chemical attack and what it might mean for local emergency managers if a chemical warfare agent
or TIC/TIM (toxic industrial chemical/toxic industrial material) event occurred.
To many Americans the well publicized apprehension of 10 Russian spies seemed to be a throwback to
the Cold War – except for the amateurish bumbling and fumbling involved, which changed a potentially
damaging international incident into a quasi-comedy. But the situation was not as funny as it seemed,
and should be viewed as a helpful warning that the United States is still far too vulnerable not only to
espionage but also to deliberate attacks by true professionals. 