I work in IT and got an email from Homeland Security with the subject “Secretary Mayorkas to Provide Remarks on Cybersecurity Vision for DHS.” It’s about an upcoming webcast. Here is how the message started:
“The U.S. is confronted with unprecedented cybersecurity challenges, and confronting them is a top priority for DHS under the Biden-Harris Administration. On March 31, Secretary Mayorkas will outline his vision and roadmap for the Department’s cybersecurity efforts in a virtual address hosted by RSA.”
I almost fell out of my chair when I read the rest of the paragraph:
“He will be joined by the Girl Scouts of USA’s Interim CEO, Judith Batty for a fireside chat. Dr. Chutima Boonthum-Denecke from Hampton University’s Computer Science Department will introduce the Secretary and facilitate a Q&A.”
I told my wife about the announcement and she asked me if it was a fake message. Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
As I did a quick search, I found plenty of confirmation that the message was real. I learned that the Girl Scouts have cybersecurity badges the scouts can earn. I learned that Hampton University’s computer department is ranked #237 out of 3294 and #10 in the state of Virginia.
So does the second half of the message clarify the first half? Does it speak to the sincerity of the first half? I think it does.
Wouldn’t the message be more consistent if they had brought out the finest cybersecurity experts that Homeland Security is partnering with to keep the nation secure? What a fascinating choice they made. At first blush it felt like a push to show how seriously woke Homeland Security is. But isn’t being woke all about controlling the things that make you feel insecure? Over the last year there have been two major cybersecurity breaches that publicly exposed just how insecure our nation’s cybersecurity has been. Sprinkling a little “social justice” on top is NOT going to make things better. The Russian and Chinese cybersecurity threat is way outside the control of the US government.
Honestly, it felt like a joke, but no one is laughing. I hope the secretary’s vision for cybersecurity takes the right direction. With a new administration, I think I should give them the benefit of the doubt until they prove to be untrustworthy. But my expectations aren’t high based on the announcement. I want the vision of DHS to pursue excellence in cybersecurity, not pursue identity politics. One focuses on the outside threat. The other focuses on internal staffing as a threat. That’s a distraction from the external threat.
So what do you think? Am I missing something?
14 replies on “Truth Stranger Than Fiction: Homeland Security Webcast Announcement Reviewed”
No, you’re not missing anything; I’m glad you finally see the reality of the situation. Another thing, I wouldn’t allow my sons or daughters to be in the Girl or Boy Scouts nowadays, seriously, you couldn’t pay me. Both organizations are nothing more than a facade hiding two more indoctrination programs.
Nowadays, anyway. Not like that when I was a kid.
I was complimented today on how fast I could tie a bowline…
Yeah, I made it to Eagle Scout back in the ’60s; it was a totally different organization back then. The Mormons own it now and have gay scoutmasters running the show. I have nothing against gay folks, my point is they made a point about it.
Last I read the GS were linked to the memes of Planned Barrenhood abortion proliferation. What the Left controls it defiles and destroys.
Yep, they are, go have sex little girls, if you get pregnant we’ll just kill the baby. Beats the hell out of having to remember to take the pill.
I think the appearance of idiocy, wokeness, or incompetence by DHS is a mask for continuing the plan to destroy America at every level.
Weaken our military, dumb down our children, abort millions of babies, hook generations on welfare, indoctrinate college kids, brainwash the masses through MSM & social media, pump us full of fear on a daily basis, put traitors in office at all levels of government, etc.
Once America is weak enough (and divided enough) it will be easy to conquer it/destroy it.
We will be SO divided and SO weak we’ll be unable/unwilling to fight (or have enough numbers to do so).
I don’t see “the current administration” as woke idiots. They know exactly what they are doing.
And they’re getting away with it . . . brilliantly.
Well said! Once again, they’re taking a very serious issue (as in border security) and ignoring the real peril to promote a narrative based on their version of morality.
I agree. Your response is spot on with what they are doing. Include in that, allowing mass illegal immigration and you have a whole new group of people who will be voting Democrat for years.
I was wondering why they are being so transparent in their incompetence and I believe you are correct in that they want to project weakness. As you pointed out, this sets the US up for division and defeat.
Also, the Democrats think the “fix” is in since they control counting the votes in key urban districts.
Another problem is that so much of the US data is being processed overseas in countries whose cyber security laws are much more lax. Financial, Legal, Healthcare, and Personal data is being managed on servers that are not controlled in the US. How hard would it be for those countries to pull the plug on these servers and totally disrupt our economy.
Thanks for your insight. I too work in IT, so this hits home.
Great rant; it was accurate and to the point.
I would not use the word brilliant as you do to describe and to apparently give accolades to what the Left is doing. Obama was often described as brilliant by the leftards and pundit-pawns.. That destroyed the word and its usage for me. You use a lot of fear mongering in your comment. What is your purpose in that when you say they are doing it “brilliantly.” I wonder.
I was in IT for years, so I will say with authority that it is a joke.
Sadly, I don’t think the dimwits “in charge” right now have a clue that this sort of joke doesn’t end well.
All you need to know is, what kind of cookies did they bring? Cinnamon Cyber Snaps?
Chocolate mint, and you have a deal.
They have a new cookie this year—Batty Bytes!