C. Constantin Poindexter Salcedo
My Opinions & Mis Penamientos
The unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis in the heart of eastern Europe. The Ukrainian people are in need of food, medical and support services from everyone that is able to contribute. I urge you to give if you are able to one or more of the reputable agencies and foundations that are answering this pressing issue. The International Medical Corps the CARE Network, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and UNICEF are a few.
#stopwar #saveukraine #ukraine
OSINT is as ancient as written word. I suppose that there were cuniform tablets that were exchanged between Phoenician government functionaries, both public and sensitive that adversaries coveted. The Greeks were particularly good at intelligence. There is a really good book about it written by Frank Santi Russell. It’s super interesting to see what value a first-generation democracy put on information gathering. What is without question is that OSINT is valuable. Wild Bill Donovan said, “Even a regimented press will, again and again, betray their nation’s best interests to a painstaking observer.”
Like the other INTs, there are some definitions that most practitioners have settled on to describe OSINT. Information collected from the “wherever” is generally not intelligence. It is data or simply information. Intelligence is generally an analyzed and polished product that CONTAINS information. The Department of Defense defines OSINT under ¨§931 of Title Nine, “Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is intelligence that is produced from publicly available information and is collected, exploited, and disseminated in a timely manner to an appropriate audience for the purpose of addressing a specific intelligence requirement.” (50 U.S.C.) The Hassan and Hjazi publication which offered this statutory definition verbatim HOWEVER they added what I think are some really important distinctions of what composes OSINT (“components” as Dr. Saar has highlighted.), as follows, “, . . .
*Open-source data
*Open-source information
*Open-source intelligence
*Validated open-source intelligence”
These components are important not only for context and precedence, adhering to the currently accepted intelligence cycle, etc., but also to offer a framework for practitioners of other INTs to identify where to offer input, and from whence to retrieve reliable and timely data, information and/or intelligence for their own purposes.
OSINT has progressed over time, but not in its essential nature. OSINT has essentially existed since cavemen roamed the earth. Ug of the ooga booga tribe probably eavesdropped on conversation between the huti huchi tribesemen to discover where the best mastodon hunting ground was. Obviously, this oversimplifies something that is actually quite sophisticated now, . . . or is it? We now have written word and motions images á la the ubiquitous YouTube, but is observation and pondering (analysis) of those observations really an innovation? My position is that OSINT really hasn’t changed at all. The medium for presentation (or mass dissemination) of information, the sophistication of the sensors that we use to collect information, the volume of collection and the high-speed computer-driven analysis of the information have changed, NOT OSINT.
There are clear advantages to the development and deployment of a rigorous OSINT capability. First and foremost is risk. Passive OSINT presents almost no risk at to either the discovery of the inquiry and the fallout if collection is discovered. Done properly, OSINT projects are discovered by the betrayal of a practitioner. An intelligence manager must consider the likelihood of discovery and the severity of loss due to discovery. OSINT falls low on the risk index. It’s just smart business.
Another big benefit but as the same time, a serious challenge is the volume of data or information. The benefit of volume is generally an increased reliability of product. There are plenty of disinformation operations in the world’o’sphere but in a massive pool of data an enormous effort and resources are required to drown out factual information. Also, a really big pool offers the input of a broad variety of assets or sources. The diversity REALLY helps stabilize analyst’s effort to draw reliable conclusions. The negative of course is how to warehouse and process the huge, HUGE amount of data that an OSINT mission or tasking might produce. This is and will be solved by quantum computing but the OSINT discipline also benefits from the less rigorous processing that a technical INT might require. The Norton piece spoke specifically to the “volume” conundrum along with the vetting challenge. “OSINT is challenging because of its volume and because each piece of information must be verified or “vetted,” often in unique ways.” (Norton, 2011, p. 66)
Among the list of advantages, “shareability” is also important. Not only is dissemination of OSINT product helpful and perhaps imperative among members of the Intelligence Community. It can also be superlatively supportive our allies, the countries with whom we share special liaison or allied service relationships. There is little risk to “sources and methods” with regard to OSINT. The real risk of improper or over-dissemination of OSINT is tipping our hand as to what is important to us AND prejudicing the asset or source, ie., U.S. Adversary: “You are looking at “x”? Oh! You must have some strategic or tactical interest in “x”! We’d better look into shutting off that faucet and since it’s important to YOU, then we’d better figure out a countermeasure.” Russian FIS does this, . . . regularly.
There are some other positive qualities of OSINT, i.e., gives a baseline for understanding the results of more sensitive information collected clandestinely; timeliness, as open sources are often in open competition as to who can “break the story” first; a great enhancement to cultural and ethnic understanding, etc., however the three main attributes above I think are the most valuable and relevant.
I need to give a hat-tip to a crowdsourcing article. The author has offered a neat little diagram to identify it but the author’s statement, “Crowdsourced Intelligence is arguably a separate collection discipline from HUMINT or OSINT collection.” (Stottlemyre, 2015) I feel is prescient. I’m not sure that this fits neatly within the OSINT discipline, most especially if the source is a member of an adversarial government, military or FIS. There are also a lot of wildcards in here, i.e., crowd motivation, crowd identity, or whether it’s really a “crowd” or not. This one merits a deeper look.
Waters, Nick, “Google Maps Is a Better Spy Than James Bond”, Foreign Policy, September 25th, 2018. https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/25/google-maps-is-a-better-spy-than-james-bond/#:~:text=In%20the%20words%20of%20William,interests%20to%20a%20painstaking%20observer.%E2%80%9D
Norton, Dr. R.A., “Guide to Open Source Intelligence: A Growing Window into the World”, Journal of Intelligence Studies”, vol. 18, no. 2, Winter/Spring 2011
Stottlemyre, Steven A., “HUMINT, OSINT, or Something New? Defining Crowdsourced Intelligence”, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, vol. 28, iss. 3, 2015
There is no better time than Thanksgiving to remember that reaching out to those less fortunate is a blessing, . . . a blessing to both the receiver and the giver for there is no more pure expression of love than beneficent giving. It doesn’t have to be monetary or tangible, of oneself can be the greatest gift. A wise man believes, “give and make haste of it because the last moment may be upon YOU without you knowing so. Those that give food to the hungry, clothing to the unclothed, mentorship teaching to the less informed are numbered among the blessed.”
As we enter the holiday season it is right and a duty to think of those less fortunate than oneself. Charitable acts live LONG after the giver of charity is gone from this world.
Fulton Oursler, un pastor algo reconocido pasó la mayor parte de su vida recordando a sus feligreses la importancia del “agradecimiento” personal para con el Gran Arquitecto del universo. Cuenta la historia de “Anna”, la criada negra que le cuidó como niño y le proporcionó la lección más importante de su vida. Así contó, . . .
Un día cuando tenía siete u ocho año me encontré en la cocina con Anna, termiando la preparación de una humilde cena. Al sentarse a la mesa dijo ella, “Bien agradecida, mi querido Dios por mis viandas.” A tal cual respodió el niño, “¿Anna, qué es una “vianda”?” Ella explicó que vianda era lo que tenía para comer y beber. El niño, siendo niño dijo, “Pero, usted tendrá de qué comer y beber si a Dios le diera las gracias o no.” Anna, vió la oportunidad para enseñar algo importante al joven.
Dijo Anna, “Usted tiene la razón pero todo sabe mil veces mejor cuando usted es una persona agradecida.” Procedió a contar el sermón de un pastor que le había enseñado a Anna un juego de “agradecimiento”. Se trató de buscar siempre razones para ser un alma agradecido. Contó ella, “Un día fui al mercado para comprar pan para la casa y al pasar por el lado de una tienda de ropa exclusiva noté qué tan lindas eran las blusas.” Respondió el niño, “Pero Anna, usted no tiene recurso para comprar cosas así de caras.” Anna le explicó, “Yo lo sé pero en mi mente, juego muñecas con esas blusas. Sueño ver a su mamá y su hermana vestidas en cosas de semejante belleza. En esos momentos le digo, “Muy agradecida, mi querido Dios, por jugar lindo en la mente de esta vieja.” Continuó Anna, “Como el otro día al volver de compras una fuerte lluvia me cayó encima. Había escuchado de las duchas de los baños modernos, y hasta les he visto a usted y su hermana en la suya. Pensé, ‘ahora tengo mi PROPIA ducha’ y en ese momento le dije, “Muy agradecida, querido Dios, porque usted me regala un pedazo del cielo cada día.”
Pasaron los años, el niño llegó a ser hombre y la vejez llegó a Anna. Le llamaron un día para decirle que Anna estuvo a punto de la muerte y el joven volvió a su ciudad natal para estar con ella en los últimos momentos. Le vió a ella en cama, sufriendo de dolor insoportable y el joven se preguntó, “¿Me pregunto de qué tenía Anna en aquel momento para estar “agradecida”.
Anna abrió los ojos por última vez, viendo todos sus seres queridos, y los muchachos que ella había criado a todo su alrededor. Cruzó las manos sobre su pecho, sonrió y dijo, “Muy agradecida, mi querido Dios por tan buenos amigos y familia.”
The State of Texas is near and dear to my heart. This week has seen the arrival of unprecedented suffering of a broad population of Texas. Already overburdened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the winter inclement weather has left tens of thousands of families without power, running water and many with homes ruined by bursted water lines. There are MANY ways to help. I urge ALL that are economically able to contribute to the relief of our fellow citizens. As most things recently the current disaster has been politicized. It is frankly irrelevant who is to blame. There are people that point fingers, and there are people the fix problems. I humbly and earnestly plead with you to help. The following are some links to excellent ways to help your fellow citizens.
FOOD BANKS + SNAP BENEFITS
WARMING STATIONS
North Texas Warming Centers
Central Texas Warming Centers
Montgomery County Warming Centers
“We are taught that Faith, Hope, and Charity are our direct link to the Celestial Father above through that “theological ladder” which Jacob, in his vision saw reaching from earth to heaven, the greatest rung of which is Charity. Our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity.”
I read with interest a recent report in the News & Observer by Mr. Doran about the Elon University marijuana legalization poll. Legalization of cannabis and cannabinoid products should be a priority for the North Carolina General Assembly among its manifold fiscal, social and justice reform legislative efforts.
Prosecution of marijuana and related offenses has disproportionately affected minorities and the poor. Serious convictions for non-violent offenses that nullify a defendant’s civil rights and effectively disqualify him or her from professional licenses and job opportunities offer no benefit to our community. Statutory oddities such as the possession of rolling paper which carries a more severe penalty than that of possession of marijuana itself are evidence of stupid law making at best, and discrimination at worst. In what system would a prosecutor allow a guilty plea to a weapon possession charge and dismiss the accompanying homicide? Ridiculous. Only sixteen states still enforce a strict prohibition of cannabis, North Carolina among them. A few of these are currently considering decriminalization and/or legalization. From a criminal justice perspective, we are dead wrong on our failure to open a serious legislative debate on cannabis.
Legal use of cannabis for medical purposes should raise no argument whatsoever. Other than the prejudicial effects of inhaling anything that produces smoke, there is no medical evidence that cannabis harms the human body any more than the use or abuse of any substance. In fact, there is a body of evidence that the positive effects of prescribed cannabis to reduce pain and increase appetite far outweigh the negatives, allowing patients to enjoy an improved quality of life without the risk of the dangerous spiral of opiate addiction. The prohibition of cannabis use by individuals with terminal illnesses is absolutely indefensible.
From a social impact perspective, opponents of marijuana legalization often recycle the tired argument that it is a “gateway drug”, that by allowing adult use somehow cannabis consumers will turn into crack, heroin or methamphetamine addicts. Again, evidence does not support that argument. Like any reasonable adult, I am not enthusiastic about my airline pilot, brain surgeon or my children’s school bus driver smoking marijuana then immediately engaging in their occupations but we don’t allow them to do so with alcohol or prescription drugs either. There is an equivalency here. Likewise, justifications of prohibition based on the supposition that marijuana users will engage in actions under the influence that they otherwise would not, or somehow evolve into dastardly delinquents committing crimes to support their habit fall flat.
Fiscally, legalization is a responsible action. I can speak with some authority. Since legalization of cannabis in California under Proposition 215 over a decade ago to date, I have affixed my signature to approximately eight thousand surety bonds required by over a dozen state regulators that guarantee the conduct of those cannabis licensees. Those licensees have become significant revenue generators. In 2019, cannabis sales generated a tax revenue to the State of California in the amount of $629.3 million. Over the lifetime of the program the revenue number is $1.03 billion. Washington as a comparison by population similar to that of North Carolina enjoyed a 2019 tax collection of $395.5 million, $1.33 billion over the life of its cannabis program. The revenue is of course but part of the fiscal picture, as the end of simple possession and paraphernalia prosecutions have saved criminal justice systems countless millions of dollars.
I don’t use cannabis. I’m just not interested but neither am I interested in smoking cigarettes. My choice doesn’t mean that responsible adults should not make their own informed decisions about cannabis use. Legalize it for adults, tax it and penalize irresponsible and illegal cultivation and distribution. Not doing so after consideration of the successful government-regulated cannabis experiments in three-quarters of U.S. states puts North Carolina on the wrong side of history.
~Constantin Poindexter, CEO Surety One, Inc.
El amor: def. nombre masculino; Sentimiento de vivo afecto e inclinación hacia una persona o cosa a la que se le desea todo lo bueno. “el amor al prójimo; abrazó al bebé con gran amor; nunca ocultó su amor a la patria; el amor de la gloria lo llevó hasta el heroísmo”
Sentimiento de intensa atracción emocional y sexual hacia una persona con la que se desea compartir una vida en común.
“amor platónico; me gustan las canciones de amor; no puedo expresar con palabras el amor que siento por ti; le escribió una carta de amor”
La definición común, todos la sabemos, ¿pero es el amor solamente un sentimiento? Por supuesto que no. Es una acción, un comportamiento. Someto para la consideración las palabras sabias del R.H. Carlos Ayón Calderón, “la Caridad, desde es la más importante de las virtudes teologales y sobre todas las virtudes cardinales que, expresa el Amor Verdadero cuando el hombre ama a su prójimo por el amor a Dios. La Caridad (y la Misericordia, su hermana) tienen la aprobación del cielo y la tierra, que ambas bendicen tanto al que da como a aquel que la recibe.” En esto, de acuerdo estoy y recomiendo particularmente la ampliación del sentido de la palabra “Amor”. La definición común no le hace justicia a nadie, perdiendo en visto lo que quiere decir nuestro creador.
Que por medio de la escalera de Jacobo alcanzamos la salvación. Los peldaños de la escalera son fé, esperanza y caridad, el último siendo el más importante, la practica de la cual enriquece, como dijo Ayón, el/la practicate tanto como el/la recipiente.
Per Duke Pediatric Cancer, “Although pediatric cancers are less common than adult malignancies, the impact of cancer on children and their families is nothing short of devastating. Over the past 40 years, cooperative research efforts (primarily through the Children’s Oncology Group) have resulted in dramatic increases in cure rates for most pediatric cancers. Nevertheless, substantial numbers of children with cancer still succumb to their disease, and even larger numbers of pediatric patients suffer significant long-term late effects because of the intensity of the therapies required to achieve cure. Research into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying pediatric tumors is essential to develop novel therapeutic approaches that will yield higher rates of cure and fewer side effects.
I humbly request that you follow my lead and give to this most worthy institution. I did and Surety One, Inc. matched. Check with your employer as it may be on a matching program as well! visit them here.
Its covering is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry-decked heaven, where we wish to at last to arrive, by the aid of that theological ladder which came to Jacob in a vision, he saw extending from earth to heaven; the three principal rounds of which are FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY. The allegorical ladder admonishes us to have faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity towards all men (and women). The most important rung of the ladder is CHARITY. Faith may be lost in sight, hope ends in fruition, but charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of time.
Why is charity relevant and why is it incumbent on every able person to offer it in his or her own way? I’ll elaborate later, however for the moment I will leave this most eloquent reasoning courtesy of the General Ahiman Rezón of our Brotherhood albeit with a change or two to enhance its universal applicability. The words are not my own however the sentiment certainly is.
Charity is the brightest gem that can adorn our lives on this earth. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast the seeds of benevolence, the produce of which is love and peace He envieth not his neighbor. He listeneth not to a tale, when reported by slander. Revenge or malice has no place in his breast. He forgives the injuries of men and endeavors to blot them from his recollection. The objects of true charity among us are those individuals that aid and succor those persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes in their journey through life, relief and support of those industrious individuals who by inevitable accidents and acts of providence have fallen into ruin, widow left survivors of their husbands, by whose labors they subsisted, orphans in tender years left naked to the world, and the elderly whose spirits are exhausted, whose arms are unbraced by time and thereby rendered unable to procure for themselves that sustenance they could accomplish in their youthful days.
From each person according to his or her capacity to the cause of charity should be a natural inclination. It is incumbent on us ALL to contribute to the relieve of those that for whatever reason find themselves in situations much less privileged than our own.
~ Constantin Poindexter, CEO of Surety One, Inc.
I have spent a quarter of a century building businesses, largely my own but offering a contribution of my humble expertise when it has been requested. Twenty five years ago I was a recent university graduate and a neophyte to the business world so naturally I collected books, magazines, white papers, . . . i.e., whatever I could put my hands on that would (hopefully) support the success of my enterprises. One of the first was a collection of work by Peter Drucker. While some of his wisdom is timeless, I found that there were some major gaps in his thinking. His definition of “business purpose”, is inadequate.
“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two–and only two–basic functions: marketing and innovation.”, wrote Drucker. A business that grows and remains relevant for many years must have another purpose, . . . to serve a social good. Creating economic value for an enterprise’s owners, employees and the departments of revenue is not “serving a social good”. So what is it?
How do we determine the true “purpose” of a business to ensure that it is one with enduring value? There is a special (albeit very old) tool for uncovering the root of the question. The technique is called the “Five Whys”. Start with what your enterprise offers, then ask “why”, until you have dug down to the core purpose or “root” of the cause that your business supports. Ex., . . .
So, in the example above we didn’t need to ask “why” five times to arrive at our need. What is the business purpose? It certainly isn’t to “sell financial services” and if that is ALL that it is, then the enterprise wouldn’t last. It serves no social good. We see however that there is more. Looking deeper we perceive a different answer to this example. “What is the business’s purpose? To help people live a healthy life, provide for themselves and their families, to save for kids’ college and prepare for a dignified and happy retirement.”
Keep this “dual purpose” in mind as you develop a business plan. Without the “social good” element as fundamentally equal to the “to market and sell something” one, a business is doomed to failure.
~ Constantin Poindexter, CEO of Surety One, Inc.