Saturday, April 27, 2024

D.L. Gardner: Balanced Communication While We Have Time

Earlier this month, NBC reported, “Lumen Technologies, a telecommunications company based in Louisiana, said in a statement that ‘some customers in Nevada, South Dakota, and Nebraska experienced an outage due to a third-party company installing a light pole — unrelated to our services.’" According to the article, “The outage left millions in multiple states without emergency access to authorities for about 2½ hours.” Installing one light pole?

Emergencies happen all the time and people have learned to call 911 in cases of emergencies. So, what happens when people in three states lose 911 coverage for more than two hours? What happens when Internet outages strike randomly across regions of America? We’re used to losing electrical power due weather related events, but not for nefarious actions.

January 31, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in Congress, “Hackers linked to the Chinese government are targeting critical U.S. infrastructure, preparing to cause ‘real-world harm’ to Americans….” What kind of infrastructure? Wray told the House Select Committee on competition with China that structures like “Water treatment plants, the electric grid, oil and natural gas pipelines and transportation hubs are among the targets of state-sponsored hacking operations….” Coincidently, U.S. officials announced the same day that they had disrupted a sweeping Chinese cyber-spying operation.

Wray explained, “They're not focused just on political and military targets. We can see from where they position themselves across civilian infrastructure, that low blows aren't just a possibility in the event of conflict, low blows against civilians are part of China's plan.”

CBS 60 Minutes aired a program February 4 that Chinese migrants are the fastest growing group crossing from Mexico into the U.S. at the southern border. According to 60 Minutes, “Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 37,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended crossing illegally from Mexico into the U.S.…that's 50 times more than two years earlier.”

China has many advantages over the U.S. in the arena of cyber warfare. Expanding the number of Chinese nationals in America via large movements of migrants is not a small advantage, especially when the U.S. does not track a large percentage of these migrants.

For years Russians have interfered with American domestic institutions like elections by using strategically placed misinformation of their own. Other nations have exploited our digital and cyber capabilities, and have developed strategies to gain control over our most basic needs. Open borders have facilitated the movement of migrants with special skills who can do more than harvest crops or create pockets of civil unrest.

Iran, North Korea, and a host of other bad actors particularly in the eastern hemisphere form an overwhelming number nations who could disrupt daily life from within and from outside our physical borders.

Sadly, many of these rivals infiltrated our academic, political, and media institutions decades ago and have divided us into ideological identity groups. What happens when communities suddenly lose vital infrastructure and rogue gangs take advantage of neighborhood emergencies?

Will we be able to unite to resist those who threaten our livelihoods and freedoms? Basic grass-roots organizations and institutions like churches and civic societies will need to work together to maintain order. Timely and truthful communication will be the primary “tie that binds” us together. We ought to begin that kind of balanced communication now while we have time.

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

12 comments:

Sunshine Disinfector said...

Unbalanced propaganda!

Anonymous said...

10:46, quit watching CNN, if you know this.

Anonymous said...

Then there are the fools that think that Dotard 45 and his minions will run things more better.

Anonymous said...

10:46, as opposed to balanced propaganda. You're right, we should seek balance in all things.

Anonymous said...

Hackers, says Honest Chris Wray. That’ll be the next covid.

Anonymous said...

Balanced propaganda? If you take clean water (the truth) and mix in sewage (lies) then the truth is gone. You can’t have a half truth. We let our media and politics be taken over by rootless cosmopolitans and literal demon worshiping vampires. So we haven’t had the truth since Henry Ford published his own newspaper.

Anonymous said...

“…Churches and civic societies will need to work together to maintain order…”

WTF??? That was the genesis of the nazi party in 1930s Germany.

We don’t need religious and “civic” organizations running anything.

That’s what we have a government, elected by the governed.

Anonymous said...

So ...remind me again which former President told the House to axe the Immigration Bill?

Also, it seemed y'all missed the memo that once your party's Speaker of the House was included in getting classified information, he changed his tune on support for Ukraine and Israel?

You have also missed that much of your "information" is being spoon fed to you from Russia and China.

When your "sources" quote Putin, it should be a hint!

And, yes, Putin's quotes are translated into English by numerous news sources abroad. Indeed, the newspapers of nearly every country are translated into English.

If you want to check facts, you could try the Swiss or German papers in English.

Oh wait, being a good citizen means you are willing to read. You'd rather be told what to think by " the party".





Anonymous said...

April 28, 2024 at 7:58 AM, you sound like the kool-aid drinker from Gardner's last article that was put on the hot seat for links to support your ignorant posts, and as expected you couldn't produce.

Now, I ask you to produce from a news source that isn't a member of NATO, giving translations of Putin's comments?

Anonymous said...

April 28, 2024 at 7:51 AM, the people that actually write the legislation, and run the government, you didn't vote for. Most have been there for all of their working life, and you can't vote them out.

Anonymous said...

You have also missed that much of your "information" is being spoon fed to you from Russia and China.

Gimme a gallon to go versus the self-righteous all-knowing all-seeing barf you upchuck here on a regular basis.

Anonymous said...

Granny never provides links.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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