Tuesday, May 11

First Shot Fired in Cyber Warfare?

In June 2009 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the creation of U.S. Cyber Command to be headed by a four-star General. This command was created in light of growing threats against Defense Department's computer networks, the corresponding threat to national security and the need for unity of command to address the problem.

At today's Congressional hearing, federal regulators and stock-exchange executives said they had no one explanation for the 15 minute 1000 point plunge last week that briefly wiped out about $1 trillion in market value.

Although no one has claimed responsibility, I would not be surprised if this was an act of cyber warfare. Some disgruntled employee? 12-year old whiz kid (remember "War Games")? A work of the Chinese? An act of terrorism?

If is was an act of cyber warfare, do you think they will tell us? Maybe we should wait for the movie.



Saturday, May 8

Letter from Bootcamp?

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

We all have to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water & no out house!

Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, fruit,etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. Tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The country is nice but awful flat. The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next one will kill Walt and Elmer with laughter... I keep getting medals for shooting & I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk's head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,
Annie Mae