“Tuesday Morning Motivation”; Roosevelt’s Citizenship in a Republic May 22, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: citizenship in a republic, hotspur, man in the arena, sarbonne, theodore roosevelt
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Excerpt from one of my favorite TR’ speeches “Citizenship in a Republic”. Most people are probably familiar with the first part. I like the second part, as well. Can read the entire speech here.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Shame on the man of cultivated taste who permits refinement to develop into fastidiousness that unfits him for doing the rough work of a workaday world. Among the free peoples who govern themselves there is but a small field of usefulness open for the men of cloistered life who shrink from contact with their fellows. Still less room is there for those who deride of slight what is done by those who actually bear the brunt of the day; nor yet for those others who always profess that they would like to take action, if only the conditions of life were not exactly what they actually are. The man who does nothing cuts the same sordid figure in the pages of history, whether he be a cynic, or fop, or voluptuary. There is little use for the being whose tepid soul knows nothing of great and generous emotion, of the high pride, the stern belief, the lofty enthusiasm, of the men who quell the storm and ride the thunder. Well for these men if they succeed; well also, though not so well, if they fail, given only that they have nobly ventured, and have put forth all their heart and strength. It is war-worn Hotspur, spent with hard fighting, he of the many errors and valiant end, over whose memory we love to linger, not over the memory of the young lord who “but for the vile guns would have been a valiant soldier.””
NIST Releases Guidance on Supply Chain Security May 21, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: GAO, MarkConsultingGroup, NIST, Supply Chain, Veterans Trading
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From Veterans Trading Company blog
“Kiss My QR Code”; Symantec Releases 2011 Internet Security Threat Report May 20, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Data Breach, InfoSec & Privacy.Tags: Chris Mark, cybercrime, cyberespionage, cybersecurity, Internet Threat Report, malware, Phishing, QR Code, Symantec
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This month Symantec released the results of their 2011 Internet Security Threat Report. It is a very compelling read and highlights just how difficult it is becoming to protect systems, and data. Some of the more interesting findings: 2011 saw variants of Malware increase from 283 million to 407 million (you read that correct…million). Additionally, data thieves have begun using QR codes to infect Android phones with malicious software. One out of every 299 emails is a phishing attempt. This is a document that I recommend you download and read.
“The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend”…US to Remove MEK from Terrorist List? May 19, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Politics, terrorism.Tags: Assassination, Iran, iraq, MEK, Mujahedin-e Khalq, Peoples Muhajadin of Iran, politics, terrorism
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If asked to name a terrorist organization most Americans could likely name Al Qaeda, Al Shabbab, and a few others. Few are probably familiar with the Mujahedin-e Khalq or Peoples Mujaheddin of Iran known by its initials MEK. Accused of killing American servicemen and contractors in the 1970s and supporting the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran before breaking with the Iranian mullahs in 1980 the MEK has been designated a terrorist group by the US State Department since 1995. The MEK, however do not simply attack Americans. According to The American Muslim: “The M.E.K. are terrorists. They were driven out of Iran and given a home at a place called Camp Ashraf in Iraq by Saddam Hussein, who they supported. Saddam Hussein used the M.E.K. to carry out terrorist acts in Iran.” In 2001, the MEK “renounced” terrorism. Irrespective of this renunciation, a 2004 FBI report on the MEK which was revealed in June 2011 states that the MEK The long and short is that the MEK are current terrorists not former terrorists. So why would the US consider removing the designation from the group?
Many people are likely familiar with some of the more recent activities of the MEK. The MEK is responsible for assassination of 5 Iranian nuclear scientists since 2007 and possibly destroyed a missile site. Trained, financed and supported by Isreal, the MEK has been used to disrupt the Iranian nuclear operations causing a delay of years to Iran’s objective of creating a nuclear weapon. In March 2012 Richard Engel & Robert Windrem of NBC News reported that:
“Deadly attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists are being carried out by an Iranian dissident group that is financed, trained and armed by Israel’s secret service, U.S. officials tell NBC News, confirming charges leveled by Iran’s leaders.” And then “”… Two senior U.S. officials confirmed for NBC News the MEK’s role in the assassinations, with one senior official saying, “All your inclinations are correct.” A third official would not confirm or deny the relationship, saying only, “It hasn’t been clearly confirmed yet.” All the officials denied any U.S. involvement in the assassinations.””
It is certainly interesting that a terrorist organization that is now taking action which supports the US’ agenda may suddenly be reclassified as not being a terrorist organization. This post is not intended to question the validity of the decision simply educate and highlight the point that in world politics “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.
“So you wanna be a Scout/Sniper huh?” – BulletLogic May 19, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in weapons and tactics.Tags: 8541, bullet logic, jeff fox, long range shooting, Marines, Scout Sniper, USMC
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Jeff Fox, a former Marine Sniper I served with many years ago has a new blog called Bullet Logic in which he talks about long range and tactical shooting. He is still very active in shooting and competitions and his blog provides some great information and insight into long range and tactical shooting. If you are interested in long range or tactical shooting, take a spin over to Bullet Logic. It has some very good information.
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