Iranian General Dead, What's Next, Asks Physicians for Civil Defense

Tucson, AZ - January 6, 2020 - (The Stuff Gazette) -- After Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone strike, Iran has vowed reprisals. A senior commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps claims that up to 35 "vital" US and Israeli targets are within Iran's reach.

Physicians for Civil Defense observes that in this age of "asymmetric warfare," civilians here, not just military installations "over there," are at risk.

"Iran's aspirations of being a nuclear power, with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads to America, have apparently not yet been achieved, but other methods of causing mass casualties and disruptions are available," states Jane M. Orient, M.D, president of Physicians for Civil Defense.

Scenarios include a mass hostage situation; a "dirty bomb"; and widespread blackouts and disruption of essential services because of cyberwarfare or terrorist attacks on the electric grid.

The horrific 2004 school siege in Beslan, Russia, could be reenacted here. Are local and federal authorities prepared?

The first radiation dispersal device (RDD or "dirty bomb") was found in a Moscow park in 1995. Besides the damage from the conventional explosion, the most devastating effect would be panic from fear of radioactive contamination. U.S. governmental authorities still do not make appropriate radiation-monitoring equipment widely available despite the existence of excellent, affordable technology, Dr. Orient states.

The electrical grid is vulnerable as shown when a sophisticated, professionally coordinated attack with military weapons took down the Metcalf electrical substation in Silicon Valley in 2014. Gunmen temporarily knocked out telephone and 911 service, and shot up 17 transformers. Physical control systems used in electric utilities, manufacturing, and oil refineries are being targeted by Iranian hackers.

"Americans have had another wake-up call about the dangers in our world," Dr. Orient said. "They should at the very least assess their ability to shelter in place for a period of time. They need to learn how to help themselves and their neighbors, and not assume the government will be immediately available to save them."

Physicians for Civil Defense distributes information to help to save lives in the event of war or other disaster.

Today, WE are all FRENCH

As Americans, we owe France as much for our Independence as we owe the soldiers and militia who fought in the Revolutionary War. It is not by accident that the Islamists hate her as much as they hate us. I support France in my prayers today as they deal with the aftermath of what happened at the hands of terrorists yesterday.

When 9/11 happened, I remember the news-casters taking comments about it from all over the world. I remember one French woman who said, "Today, we are ALL Americans."

Well, today, WE are all FRENCH.

More Stuff in the News: Transportation Innovation, Alternative Transportation, Army Childcare, National Debt, Terror Victims

Congressman Dan Lipinski’s (IL-3) Future Transportation Research and Innovation for Prosperity (TRIP) Act, which supports innovative technologies that have the potential to fundamentally alter mobility in America and beyond, was approved by the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today led all the House Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in requesting funding for a popular program that supports community investments in infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians saying, “Less than 2 percent of federal transportation funding goes to the Transportation Alternatives Program, which funds bike and pedestrian projects. But communities leverage these small funds to get big results. To make sure safety comes first for everyone who uses our roads, whether they bike, bus, drive or walk, local communities need these resources to invest in bike lanes, sidewalks and trails. Better bike and pedestrian infrastructure not only improves safety, it benefits people’s quality of life by cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution.”

Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles) served as the Ranking Member of an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing regarding significant failure issues with the U.S. Army’s Childcare Services Assistance Program. Gross mismanagement of the Army program, which was created to help military families pay for childcare, has caused unacceptably long backlogs in processing payments and severe hardships to thousands of military families. In addition, the hearing revealed that thousands of emails and voicemails by servicemembers and their spouses were intentionally deleted by the General Services Administration (GSA). It is Congressman Lieu’s view that the Army and the GSA must work together to immediately identify and put in place concrete measures to correct the program.

The Ways and Means Committee advanced H.R. 3442, the Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Act, by a vote of 22-14. Authored by U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24), this legislation would establish a more credible framework for debt reduction by bringing greater accountability, transparency, and discipline to the debt limit process.

Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) has introduced legislation prohibiting sanctions relief for Iran unless it first pays the court-ordered damages it owes to terror victims.