Regarding That Russian Computer Hack: It's a Whopper

A diatom - this has nothing to do with the Russian hack

About a week ago, reports of a Russian hack appeared (discussed here). The Russians hacked both US government agencies and the top level security company FireEye. The scope of the hack is becoming clearer. This one was a whopper. Russian dictator and president for life Putin cynically speculated that rogue Russian patriots must have done it because his government would never do such dastardly deeds. 

Yeah, righ. And I saw a big flock of flying pigs yesterday. Honest. Meanwhile, the president remains rightly focused on subverting the election using a novel crackpot ploy called idiocy. That effort is paying handsome rewards as money flows into the president's pockets.

The New York Times writes:

The scope of a hack engineered by one of Russia’s premier intelligence agencies became clearer on Monday, when some Trump administration officials acknowledged that other federal agencies — the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and parts of the Pentagon — had been compromised. Investigators were struggling to determine the extent to which the military, intelligence community and nuclear laboratories were affected by the highly sophisticated attack.

United States officials did not detect the attack until recent weeks, and then only when a private cybersecurity firm, FireEye, alerted American intelligence that the hackers had evaded layers of defenses.

It was evident that the Treasury and Commerce Departments, the first agencies reported to be breached, were only part of a far larger operation whose sophistication stunned even experts who have been following a quarter-century of Russian hacks on the Pentagon and American civilian agencies.

About 18,000 private and government users downloaded a Russian tainted software update — a Trojan horse of sorts — that gave its hackers a foothold into victims’ systems, according to SolarWinds, the company whose software was compromised. 

The National Security Agency — the premier U.S. intelligence organization that both hacks into foreign networks and defends national security agencies from attacks — apparently did not know of the breach in the network-monitoring software made by SolarWinds until it was notified last week by FireEye. The N.S.A. itself uses SolarWinds software. 

A government official, who requested anonymity to speak about the investigation, made clear that the Homeland Security Department, which is charged with securing civilian government agencies and the private sector, was itself a victim of the complex attack. But the department, which often urges companies to come clean to their customers when their systems are victims of successful attacks, issued an obfuscating official statement that said only: “The Department of Homeland Security is aware of reports of a breach. We are currently investigating the matter.”

Ah, yes, the good old tried and true "mistakes were made" defense by the DHS. People are reassured for sure. No doubt.

Did I mention that the president remains focused on subverting the election? Well, he is. That's where his only concern lies. Ditto for our incompetent nincompoop, radical right GOP.

Anyway, US experts are now trying to assess who got information stolen, how much and what it was. For some US agencies, this was a repeat performance. For example, this was the second time in recent years that Russian intelligence agencies had hacked the State Department.[1]

Those Russkis are sneaky. You let your guard down and the next thing you know they're rummaging through your porn stash and your instagram posts of your junk to your underage girlfriend. Those playful Russki elves. (sorry elves, no disrespect intended)

An expert at FireEye commented: “We think the number who were actually compromised were in the dozens. But they were all the highest-value targets.” That is reassuring by golly. Only the highest value targets were ripped off. Wonderful.

Footnote:

1. Radical right cabinet member, Mike (the Christian Crusading Crook) Pompeo, commented to the hard hitting far right propaganda and lies source Breitbart Radio Propaganda Services, Ltd. that there had “been a consistent effort of the Russians to try and get into American servers, not only those of government agencies, but of businesses. We see this even more strongly from the Chinese Communist Party, from the North Koreans, as well.” As the NYT wryly pointed out (fact check alert), it is the Russkis who have been the most effective hackers, not the Chinese or North Koreans. Good 'ole pompous Pompeo. He's the polydactyl porcine promulgator of prevarication, peroxide 'n poison, and the foremost nincompoop in the federal government. Huzzah!! We've just been lied to. Again.

Another diatom

Undercover cops dressed as Santa and his elf fight crime at a California shopping center

 

(CNN)Cops dressed as Santa Claus and his elf jumped into action when they saw car being stolen, said police in Riverside, California.

The undercover police officer and detective were outside a busy shopping center on Thursday as part of a holiday enforcement program when they saw three men in the process of stealing a Honda CR-V in the parking lot, according to a post on the Riverside Police Department's Facebook page.

Two suspects ran when they saw the police but were quickly apprehended, according to the post.

Police video of the incident showed the officer in his elf costume ordering one of the suspects to get on his knees at gunpoint.

A second suspect resisted arrest, according to police, before the detective dressed as Santa rushed over to help.

"Get him Santa," someone yelled off camera as he grabbed the suspect from behind and forced him on the ground.

One of the suspects was identified and later released and the second was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and resisting arrest, police said.

The third suspect was able to drive away in the SUV and abandoned it nearby.

Police said they have identified the third suspect and will arrest him on car theft charges in the near future.

The police were at the shopping center as part of a program to crackdown on retail theft.

They arrested three people, including a woman, who allegedly walked out of the story with a cart full of merchandise and a man accused of stealing expensive Lego sets worth $1,000, police said.

A police spokesman said it was the first time the department has used an undercover Santa.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/12/us/santa-cops-california-trnd/index.html

The First Vaccine Shipments Go Out

One pallet of 12 boxes on the forklift.

Maybe 6-7 pallets on the left.

The New York Times photo above shows the beginning of the vaccine distribution process.

It looks like 12 big boxes are on that forklift.

From personal memory: Each big box contains up to 5 smaller boxes and ~80 lb of dry ice.[1] Each smaller box contains 195 vials. Each vial can vaccinate 5 people for vaccination once. That amounts to 4875 vaccinations per small box. Each person needs two vaccinations for full (~95% ) immunity, one vaccination elicits ~80% immunity. 

Therefore if my recollection is right, that one forklift contains enough vaccine to inoculate 58,500 people once.

If 320,000,000 people in the US are to get vaccinated just once, that would require 5,470 forklifts. If they get two doses, that would require 10,940 forklifts.  

Footnote: 

1. "Each vaccine shipping box weighs about 80 pounds and holds up to 4,875 doses of vaccine. There are five doses per vial. The vials are packed in flat boxes about the size of a small pizza box, each of which holds 195 vials. As many as five of these are stacked together in a reusable, insulated cardboard box that is topped with 50 pounds of dry ice."

Sandra Lindsay, critical care nurse on Long Island New York

(one of the first to get vaccinated in the US)

How to spread Christmas cheer in a pandemic, according to a happiness expert

 By adjusting our mindset and attitudes, we could make it a Christmas like no other

It's undeniably been a tough year and one many will be happy to move on from. But as we approach Christmas, however different it might be this year, it's important we take stock of the positives where we can.

"I’m certain it doesn’t have to be a miserable Christmas. It can be a time for reflection, rest, connection and creating new memories that could make it a Christmas like no other. Christmas 2020 isn’t cancelled," says psychotherapist and author of Ten Times Happier, Owen O’Kane.

By adjusting our mindset and attitude towards doing Christmas differently this year, we can turn it into a positive experience and, when we feel happy and content, it's easy for that festive cheer to become contagious.

Here's Owen's tips to help us spread Christmas joy this year, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

ACCEPTANCE. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

"It’s understandable that there will be a degree of disappointment with the situation we find ourselves in this Christmas but we must accept it. If we fixate on how it should be, how you want it to be or what will happen next, it leads to increased levels of distress. Living in the present moment, accepting things as they are and taking everything one step at a time makes it easier to feel hopeful. It will also help you enter the spirit of joy and goodwill during the festive period," says Owen.

Action: Be grateful and mindful of what you do have this Christmas. That might be something fundamental like a roof over your head, good health or food on the dinner table. It might be a smaller detail like the fact that having less people in the house might lead to deeper conversation, or how not having to travel on Christmas Day means you have time for a local walk. Over the Christmas period, make a daily list of what you do have as opposed to focusing on what you don't have this year.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO BRING YOU JOY, ANY WAY YOU CAN

This year, we may be spending more time at home with certain people than we are used to – and this can be hard on relationships. It's not a fault, it's just a different way of spending time together that needs some adapting to. Owen calls this, making "healthy boundaries".

"Have a strategy of who you will connect with, even if it is a phone call or Zoom. Connect with the voices that lift your spirits. Take breaks or find a distraction when you are with people who overwhelm you. Likewise, spend more time with the people at home who cheer you up."

Action: When taking a break, read a good book that you know will lift your mood – one you've read before or a recommendation from a trusted friend.

BREAK FREE FROM TRADITION

"Traditions and Christmas go hand-in-hand which, unquestionably, will create challenges this year. The reality is that some of the normal traditions like family visits, shopping, meals, church services and even Father Christmas might need a review of sorts. Rather than focus on the loss of some of the usual traditions, try to create new ones that bring a sense of happiness, connection, hope and fresh beginnings. In essence, try to live the meaning behind the season, whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs," says Owen.

Action: Could you try a new meat or side as part of your Christmas dinner? Or perhaps you could decide to go meat-free this year! Is there a new game you could play, a walk you could squeeze in or film you could watch?

DECK THE HALLS

"Every piece of research on low mood tells us that light, colour and sparkle help improve mood. In some Nordic traditions, Christmas lights stay in place until the end of January to create a sense of optimism and hope in the midst of winter. Perhaps this Christmas is the year to bring some extra light and colour into your home. It will serve as a reminder that you can create light in life’s darker moments. It will also cheer up your neighbours, and hopefully create a domino effect of positive energy," says Owen.

Action: Get crafty and make your own Christmas decorations you can adorn with lights (LED ones, if possible – they are better the the planet). Try making your own fresh foliage wreath – here's our how-to guide.

EVERYTHING COMES AND GOES – AND THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

"During a crisis period it can feel like the situation will never end. Although this Christmas will be different, it will come and go. Likewise, the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually pass. We know that the development of vaccines, treatments and rapid testing is improving daily and that better days will come. This Christmas, try to focus on this time as a temporary period in our history which will provide many life lessons."

Action: Make a list of all the positive personal realisations or lessons you have learnt during this difficult year. Maybe you have rekindled your love for a hobby or sport? Maybe you have realised that having a few weekends free from socialising is better for your mental health? Or maybe you have been able to spend more quality time with those you live with or save a bit of money by not commuting?

ALLOW HOPE TO RELEASE POSITIVE CHEMICALS

"Christmas is a Christian tradition but of course synonymous with hope. Whatever your culture, belief or tradition, I encourage you to embrace hope this Christmas. Hope changes the chemistry of our brains; it will enable you to cope better and it’s contagious. If you can look for hope, you will find it. It is allowing yourself to stay open to the possibility that tough periods end; they always do."

Action: Make a personal mantra you can repeat in your head every time you start to feel a bit low or hopeless. Something like: 'When this is all over, I'll hug my family, go on holiday and be more grateful for the small things' or 'Difficult years serve the purpose of making the good years even better.'

IT'S ALL UP TO YOU...

"Christmas 2020 will be etched in your memory for a long time, that’s for sure. Remember you have a choice what memories you create," concludes Owen.

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/a34795719/spread-christmas-cheer-pandemic-happiness-expert/

Never Forget the Ugly Stain on the Irreparably Broken GOP

The fading face of evil incarnate

Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. -- George Washington, Farewell Address to the American People, 1796 (desperately warning us about the potential toxic effects of a political party run amok and going rogue autocrat)

Demagogue: a political leader who builds and maintains support by appealing to the desires and irrational emotions, fears and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument grounded in facts and reality; demagoguery is inherently immoral, anti-democratic, anti-rule of law and pro-authoritarian

The New York Times writes:

The court’s decision on Friday night, an inflection point after weeks of legal flailing by Mr. Trump and ahead of the Electoral College vote for President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Monday, leaves the president’s party in an extraordinary position. Through their explicit endorsements or complicity of silence, much of the G.O.P. leadership now shares responsibility for the quixotic attempt to ignore the nation’s founding principles and engineer a different verdict from the one voters cast in November.

Many regular Republicans supported this effort, too — a sign that Mr. Trump has not just bent the party to his will, but pressed a mainstay of American politics for nearly two centuries into the service of overturning an election outcome and assaulting public faith in the electoral system. The G.O.P. sought to undo the vote by such spurious means that the Supreme Court quickly rejected the argument.

“The act itself by the 126 members of the United States House of Representatives, is an affront to the country,” said Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. “It’s an offense to the Constitution and it leaves an indelible stain that will be hard for these 126 members to wipe off their political skin for a long time to come.”  

With direct buy-in from senior officials like Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and the Republican leader in the House, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the president’s effort required the party to promote false theory upon unsubstantiated claim upon outright lie about unproved, widespread fraud — in an election that Republican and Democratic election officials agreed was notably smooth given the challenges of the pandemic.

And it meant that Republican leaders now stand for a new notion: that the final decisions of voters can be challenged without a basis in fact if the results are not to the liking of the losing side,[1] running counter to decades of work by the United States to convince developing nations that peaceful transfers of power are key to any freely elected government’s credibility. (emphasis added)

Michael Abramowitz, president of Freedom House, a Washington-based group that promotes democracy abroad with support from both parties commented: “[Democratic] institutions have held strong [but] there’s no question that people around the world are now looking to America and it’s really important for Americans of all parties to stand up for the rule of law and for democracy.” (emphasis added)
 
Also, some Republicans who opposed Trump’s post-election antics are predicting that the party is at risk of self-destruction. Former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey commented: “I keep comparing it somewhat to Jonestown. They’ve all drunk the Kool Aid. It just hasn’t killed them yet.”

That speaks for itself. The GOP is no longer fit to govern. It has become fully autocratic-authoritarian and anti-democratic. Some experts have been warning us about this ugly possibility. By now, it is obvious that the GOP is literally the enemy of the people, democracy, the rule of law, inconvenient facts and truth, honest governance, competence and civil liberties.

It is time for a new party to replace the corrupt and obsolete GOP. Clearly, the GOP is not going to fix itself. It can't. It needs to be moved into irrelevance, while its deluded and betrayed rank and file followers are somehow brought back into normal American society and real reality.

It is time for a new party

California Republicans, if you are finally disgusted enough, but still want a political party, register with the California Common Sense Party. It's reason and evidence-based. In that way, it is non-ideological. If that kind of reason and reality-grounded ideology is unacceptable, then the CSP is probably not your cup of tea.

One thing is certain for me, the demagogic, autocrat GOP is definitely never going to be my cup of tea. Never. The GOP now is the demagogic opposite of the Common Sense Party. George Washington warned us about this and now we have it in its full-blown anti-democratic ugliness and hate.

Footnote: 

1. Do not be fooled by the GOP distraction that the president and GOP have every right to contest the election. That truth intentionally ignores and deflects from the fact that contesting a free and fair election with no evidence of coercion, unfairness or fraud. That is exactly what our demagogue president and autocratic GOP have done. In the name of party above nation and the rule of law, they have caused great damage to democracy and respect for elections and the rule of law. 

The GOP's talking point defense of what they have done is a purely demagogic, anti-democratic autocrat argument to deflect from what they have done and why. There never was anything to be gained from what has been done except money flowing into the president's pockets and advancement of the GOP's relentless attacks on democracy and elections. It is one of the most corrupt and immoral (evil, actually) political stunts I've witnessed in my lifetime. A pox on the GOP leadership. They should be ashamed. Unfortunately, shame doesn't apply to them.

Deflection

YOUNG ACTIVISTS ARE READY TO BE EFFECTIVE PEACEBUILDERS

 

Are governments ready to have us at the table?

Words: Yuko Yokoi

Date: December 11th, 2020

American youth are facing a historic juncture. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and marches for racial justice have shaken our conscience. But youth like myself are also celebrating because this week marks the fifth anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS)­. Resolution 2250 defines “youth” as persons between the ages of 18 and 29 years old and identifies this age group as key stakeholders for sustainable peace. The resolution also calls for member states to prioritize their needs and set up mechanisms that ensure meaningful youth inclusion in all aspects of peacebuilding, including peace processes, prevention, and conflict resolution. Since it passed, the resolution has provided the foundation for a global movement of young people working for peace.

Today’s youth is at the forefront of building bridges that promote peace locally and globally. For example, growing up in Japan and the United States, I often translate for my Japanese parents. Committed to gender equality, I also try to localize ideas of feminism and equality in the Japanese context, which has helped me to think critically about cultural differences and their impact on creating peace. With the introduction of HR 6175 in March 2020, known as the YPS Act, Congress is taking a bipartisan approach to implementing this global policy framework within the United States. The incoming Biden administration, therefore, is facing an unprecedented moment when it comes to youth mobilization and peace promotion and should encourage Congress to pass the YPS Act.

THE MISUNDERSTOOD YOUTH

Around the world, young people are already working in peacebuilding and routinely make unique contributions. Yet they are often ignored and left out of political processes. For example, the Afghan youth are not included in the ongoing intra-Afghan peace talks, even though 63% of Afghanistan’s population is under the age of 25. This routine exclusion of the young signals that their voices don’t matter in society — an exclusion that has led to several misconceptions about youth actions.

One of the most common misconceptions is that adolescents are more susceptible to violence but empirical evidence indicates that this is not the case. “The Missing Peace,” a major progress study commissioned by the UN on youth’s contribution to peace and security, debunks the assumption that burgeoning youth is at “risk” that must be managed. The study further explains that this assumption has led to the adoption of repressive approaches by political leaders, who label the young critical of the government as “terrorists.” In 2016, the UN Human Rights Council alerted the international community on how several governments use terms such as “terrorist” and “ violent extremism” without a clear definition to silence political dissents and justify the violation of their human rights. The media also reinforces the stereotype of youth as perpetrators of violence by sensationalizing any violence committed by them. Young people from diverse regions including the Americas and Africa interviewed in the study repeatedly commented on the media’s role of disproportionately highlighting youth violence and its insufficient coverage of youth’s peaceful organizing. In fact, a repressive approach only fosters mistrust of the government amongst the young and exacerbates the exclusion of youth from civic spaces. The YPS Act may help to stop this vicious cycle worldwide.

THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING A BURGEONING YOUTH POPULATION, WHERE 1.8 BILLION PEOPLE ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 24 — MORE THAN HAVE EVER EXISTED. BUT  MANY YOUTH-LED PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS ARE UNDERFUNDED.

Adolescents in vulnerable states are perceived to be more susceptible to violent extremism. In reality, however, the vast majority of teenagers and young adults choose to respond to conflicts in non-violent and positive ways — some even addressing the root causes of violence. In Yemen, young adults are creating “viable alternatives” for their peers to protect them from extremist groups by building youth networks, offering counternarratives through media and theater, and promoting human rights.

The world is experiencing a burgeoning youth population, where 1.8 billion people are between the ages of 10 and 24 — more than have ever existed. But  many youth-led peacebuilding efforts are underfunded. A survey conducted as part of the UN progress study showed that half of the responded organizations operated on less than USD $5,000 per year, and respondents cited the lack of funding as a major constraint against greater impact. With respect to the US stance on mobilizing youth for peace, only 0.14% of US global foundation giving goes to peace work focused on children and young adults, indicating a lack of prioritization of youth programs, which is short-sighted.

WHY THE YPS ACT MATTERS

The YPS Act, introduced to the House by Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) earlier this year, redefines those between the ages of 16 and 29 as key stakeholders in global security. For example, the YPS Act calls for the US government to encourage youth participation in all levels of peacebuilding processes that it funds and supports worldwide, as well as investing in and providing resources to young peacebuilders working in conflict-affected areas. The bill will set up a Youth, Peace and Security Fund that is dedicated to support youth-led peacebuilding efforts and an advisory group of experts to integrate the interests and perspectives of young people into the development and implementation of US peace and security strategies.

Although the Act directly benefits youth abroad, it has important implications for young people in America as well. For the first time, this law will recognize the role of adolescents as viable partners in conflict prevention. If passed, the YPS Act will serve as an important precedent in Congress that can benefit young people working to forge social justice and reconciliation in divided communities within the United States. Although many youth activists in America do not identify as peacebuilders, they have stood up for human rights and called for action on local and national levels, which in its essence is peacebuilding at its finest. For example, young people across the nation have protested police brutality and racism against Black people and marched to stop climate change. The YPS Act will be a starting point to recognize their agency and efforts, and will hopefully create a path to include American youth in decision-making circles more meaningfully.

Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) must prioritize the passage of this legislation and adoption of a US national strategy on YPS. The incoming Biden administration must also integrate YPS as a central mechanism in their plan to build peace globally. This won’t be just another stand-alone strategy to put on the shelf, but will be central to the US  strategy on women, peace, and security which is supported by members of both parties because of its preventative and cost-effective approaches to building peace.

In the major UN progress study, young people expressed that their exclusion from civic and political spaces is a form of structural and psychological violence. If President-elect Joe Biden supports the YPS Act, it would mean not only legitimizing young people’s efforts and voices in peacebuilding but also advocating for the elimination of violence that affects them. The Biden administration’s support could create a path for young adults like myself where they see themselves as stakeholders and effective peacebuilders. We’re ready to take on this role. The question is: are governments ready to have us at the table?

Yuko Yokoi is a Youth Peace Volunteer for Search for Common Ground.

https://inkstickmedia.com/young-activists-are-ready-to-be-effective-peacebuilders/