Richard Martin

I'd recently watched a segment about political extremism in Germany and noted how similar the playbook is around the world: propaganda, disinformation, fear-mongering, culture wars, hate speech, and dangerous rhetoric hiding behind free speech rights while claiming no responsibility for the inevitable (desired) results of targeted violence against people and institutions. https://lnkd.in/gbCf3fm7 If Germany, which is well aware of where this road leads, is struggling with a resurgence or political extremism a mere 80 years after their first-hand experience with it the resulting World War and Holocaust/genocide, perhaps the US should be paying more attention and considering how to counter weaponized "Free Speech Absolutism" that dictators in Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran love to advocate for in other countries, while not allowing any free speech in their own countries so that the tactics they so skillfully employ cannot be used against them. #extremism #freespeech, #germany #unitedstates #propoganda #disinformation #fearmongering #hatespeech #culturewars #rhetoric #worldwar2 #holocaust #genocide #absolutism #violence #dictators #russia #china #northkorea #iran

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Intelligence Community Emphasizes Enhanced Counterintelligence Measures In response to increasing global threats, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. This legislation is designed to bolster the United States' counterintelligence capabilities against foreign threats from countries like China, Russia, and Iran. The Act aims to enhance intelligence collection across all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyber—ensuring that the Intelligence Community can effectively address emerging challenges. Significant emphasis is placed on adopting cutting-edge technologies and securing classified systems from insider threats. This legislation also highlights the importance of collaboration between the Intelligence Community, private sector, academia, and international allies to leverage advanced technologies and research. Such cooperation is critical in staying ahead of the evolving threats posed by nation-state adversaries and transnational criminal organizations​. At RiskMind, we understand the importance of integrating advanced technologies and global cooperation to address sophisticated threats. Our expertise in intelligence and risk management ensures comprehensive solutions for our clients, providing critical insights and proactive measures to safeguard their interests. #Intelligence #NationalSecurity #RiskManagement #AdvancedTechnology #GlobalCooperation

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If you want some pointers on what to watch during the Senate race this year, join my colleagues for this 👇 webinar on 8 May.

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HalleluYah for The Truth, educate yourself. See below, the Generations of bipartisan corruption, hypocrisy, and terrorism must end. This Generation can do better with The Truth Together and should, HalleluYah. https://lnkd.in/eYxzAEz3

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How to Target the Right Opportunities in GovCon: Government Contracting Tips from Dr. Ebony Grey 🔍 ✨ Fine-tune your NAICS codes to align with your dream government projects. Search "NAICS Codes for Government Contracting" to pinpoint the perfect opportunities. ✨ Streamline your search! Use filters on SAM.gov & FedBizOpps to find projects that match your skills and business size precisely. ✨ Get certified to stand out! Look into programs like HUBZone or VOSB to access exclusive government contracting opportunities. ✨ Research past contracts awarded by your target agencies. Understand what they purchase and who they trust. ✨ Don't navigate alone! Seek advice from government contracting specialists to confidently steer through the process. Ready to take the next step? Contact us now at https://lnkd.in/eefMUbQg for more insights and personalized support from Dr. Ebony Grey herself. 💼✨ #UnlockingFederalEmployment #GovContractingSuccess #BusinessSuccess #NAICSCodes #DrEbonyGrey

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Transform IT Insights into Opportunities‼️ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Acquisition Center (TAC) Advanced Planning Brief to Industry (APBI) on June 26, 2024, is a significant event for several reasons: 1️⃣ Information Sharing: The APBI is a platform for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share crucial information regarding its acquisition and IT transformation initiatives. This helps industry partners understand the VA's upcoming projects, priorities, and strategic goals. 2️⃣ Industry Engagement: The event allows businesses, particularly those in the IT sector, to engage with VA leadership. This engagement can foster better collaboration, understanding, and alignment with the VA's needs. 3️⃣ Leadership Insights: Presentations from crucial VA leaders such as Mr. Michael Parrish and Mr. Kurt DelBene offer valuable insights into the VA's acquisition strategies and IT objectives. Their perspectives can help industry partners tailor their solutions to meet the VA's requirements effectively. 4️⃣ Networking Opportunities: The event's hybrid nature allows for in-person and virtual participation, broadening the scope for networking. Attendees can connect with VA officials, other industry partners, and potential collaborators. 5️⃣ Market Opportunities: By attending the APBI, businesses can identify new opportunities to support the VA’s mission. Understanding the VA’s upcoming acquisition plans can help companies prepare competitive proposals and align their capabilities with the VA’s needs. Overall, the VA TAC APBI is a pivotal event for businesses looking to engage with the VA, stay informed about its initiatives, and explore opportunities to contribute to the VA’s mission through innovative IT solutions. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eguQKuEQ Other federal agencies also conduct APBIs. Here are a few examples and information about them: United States Department of Defense (DoD): - The DoD regularly holds APBIs, mainly through various branches such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force. - Information can typically be found on the respective branch's procurement or acquisition websites, such as the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) or the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) websites. - USAASC APBI Information(https://asc.army.mil/web/) U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): - DHS Acquisition Planning Forecast System(https://apfs.dhs.gov/) General Services Administration GSA: - Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website (now SAM.gov). - GSA Events Page(https://www.gsa.gov/events) NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Office of Procurement](https://lnkd.in/epE34Gke) U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): - DOE Procurement and Acquisition(https://lnkd.in/e24cfgcN) #vetbizlady #smallbusiness #govcon #federalcontracting

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HalleluYah for The Truth, educate yourself. Brian and Angelo are right and share powerful Truths. This Generation can do better with The Truth Together and should, HalleluYah. https://lnkd.in/enY8ZiZb

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Excellent article Excerpts: "By providing zero guidance and leadership, the people who get paid to educate at the highest levels have plummeted their own students into the lowest dungeons of human instinct: the catacombs where erstwhile hatred reigns and the light of analytical exercise is nowhere to be found." "Put simply: in institutions of academic learning, where scholarly thought leaders should stand ready to guide, encourage, lead, and elevate students to new heights of knowledge and new paths of intellectual curiosity, there is no intelligent leadership to be found." "The pervasive lack of leadership at our colleges has created a herd in search of a leader." "Students have joined the protests.. [because] they have learned, in class, that you don’t have to exercise reason, analysis, and discernment in order to engage in social and political issues." "The abdication of the college faculty from the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza has allowed virulent, openly anti-intellectual forces to hijack the protests (and probably organize many of them in the first place)." "...the men and women who are supposed to educate our college students are generally far less intellectually astute than their predecessors were only half a century ago." "When complex events enter their workspace—anti-war protests on campus—they lack the methodological skills to lead those protests in a peaceful, productive, and academically illuminating direction." "The silver lining in the current campus protests is that the students protesting are, for the most part, so ill-educated that they will have a hard time climbing the ladders of influence in American society." "Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the people who run our academic institutions. For this very reason, many of today’s protesters will be tomorrow’s tenured college faculty."

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AI Automated Warfare in Gaza: Examining the Horrific Implications of AI-Driven Targeting Systems in Future Conflicts "Disclaimer: This article does not represent a political stance on the conflicts discussed; rather, it focuses on the troubling implications of AI in warfare. It's important to acknowledge that all war is devastating and tragic" In this continuing series of articles about AI, I am trying to educate people on how AI is quickly and radically re-shaping the world for the better and for the worst. The Israeli army's AI-based program "Lavender" has dramatically reshaped military operations in Gaza, marking a significant shift towards the automation of warfare. This AI system processes surveillance data from Gaza to identify potential targets by assigning each individual a score that predicts their affiliation with militant groups like Hamas or PIJ. Those with high scores are automatically designated as military targets. This technology has led to an alarming escalation in the pace and scale of operations, with minimal human oversight. Lavender's influence was particularly pronounced during the early stages of the conflict, when it was responsible for decisions that led to substantial civilian casualties. The AI system, despite its sophistication, has a concerning margin of error; it has been noted that approximately 10% of the people it marked for targeting were wrongly identified as militants. This error rate translates into significant civilian casualties. For instance, during a specific period, over 15,000 Palestinian deaths were reported, nearly half of the total casualties at that time, many of whom were entire families wiped out in their homes​ REF - (+972 Magazine)​​ (EL PAÍS English)​​ (Democracy Now!)​. The use of AI like Lavender in warfare raises grave concerns, as it automates critical military decisions without robust safeguards or accountability. This situation underscores the urgent need for global governance to regulate AI in military operations. Without strict international guidelines and transparency, the balance between technological progress and humanitarian principles is at severe risk. It is imperative that global leaders establish comprehensive oversight to prevent increased civilian casualties and ensure accountability in the use of AI in conflicts​ REF (UPI)​. Terry Vermeylen is a technology writer, IT project manager, and solution architect with extensive experience working with the world's biggest companies, including advising the US Navy. His writings focus on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across various industries, particularly in operational optimization.

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The House passed a large defense bill that included a provision that would automatically enroll young men between the ages of 18 and 26 for the Selective Service. The House's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would authorize $895 billion in military spending, passed by a vote of 217–199. Automatic registration would replace the coming-of-age tradition that all 18-year-old male U.S. citizens experience when they get a card in the mail from Uncle Sam informing them that they're required under threat of criminal penalties to register for the Selective Service. Supporters of the legislation framed it as a more efficient and cost-effective method. Also in the Bill Emerging Weapons and Technologies • Directs a briefing on current and future capabilities to test directed energy systems. • Designates DOD leadership with primary responsibility for collaboration with international partners on directed energy weapons. • Directs a briefing on space-based sensing capabilities for detection, tracking, and fire control in hypersonic defense. • Encourages investment in highly maneuverable, threat-representative hypersonic targets in order to develop U.S. defensive capabilities. • Requires DARPA to establish a Quantum Scaling Initiative to rapidly expand and support the development of quantum computing capabilities for DOD. The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee's intends to require women to register for Selective Service as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY25. According to Tom Renz, "The draft legislation isn’t just about war - it’s about digital ids. The thing no one is seeing here is that the registration is electronic. You were already supposed to register but now it’s electronic… this rolls into the push for digital id and tracking. All part of the push for a digital identity… this will also make peoples identity easier to track online." Wow..a 2 for 1 deal. Though, with all this advanced war technology, how does a military draft help? Surely, most won't be coming back from war, if they go at all. 🤷‍♀ To see more of my posts, join my network and click the 🔔 on my profile. 🧡 Email list sign up, in-depth articles & support link. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gDMu9iEn Source https://lnkd.in/g8rT_5MU

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Lots of good points, especially mentioning #skills, #training, and #luck! I kind of thought of two scenarios here: First, you might have a person dealing with #mentalhealth alone. This doesn’t always have a linear #response. There is unpredictability in the equation sometimes. #Risk therefore increases. Skills and training can certainly play a major role in #deescalation. Second, add in #drugs, #intoxicants, or #alcohol, and you get to complete #unpredictability. You’re now operating in a completely unknown #environment. A lot of luck is needed while minimal skill and #training are effective at this. To further #complicate the matter, when the #call comes in, you don’t know which of these you are walking into. So, maybe have the hyper-trained, plain clothes #civilian go in #alone, but have a #police partner on the outside ready for the #violent outbreak? Just an FYI police alone aren’t even #safe and the worst case scenario can happen to them. Case in point: Burnaby, B.C. RCMP officer #killed on duty was on mental health and homeless #outreach team https://lnkd.in/gp-E75BS

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