Hacker Heaven

Yeah, I think we have too many conspiracy theories running around. What value is it to know that a little old lady in Arkansas has high blood pressure? However, they can separate the wheat from the chaff by cherry picking public officials who have something to hide. Unfortunately right now there are too many of them. I think we should all adopt a policy of “I don’t care anything about the official except what kind of job he or she is doing in office.” We sweat the small stuff while the dragon proceeds to eat us.

Will?

One would hope that the embarrassment caused by disclosing such interesting tidbits of information would not override sense of integrity or public duty. However, we have to keep in mind we’re talking about politicians and government workers, so, yeah … I see your point.

The problem with hackers getting such delicate personal medical information, FitnezzJim, is blackmail. Suppose the head of the CIA is a closet homosexual being treated for AIDS? Or suppose a female politician running for office had a secret abortion that her husband knows nothing about?

Someone with that sort of knowledge could blackmail and learn state secrets, or sway a vote.

B-pop? Will’s last post got me to conjecturing. This situation seems ripe for speculation about the intentions of those who are committing the full set of hacks that are being reported. So …

What do we know? We know we are getting reports that the government employee database has been hacked. We have previous reports that insurance applications have been hacked (ObamaCare). We know additional insurance companies have been hacked. Strangely, in the recent set of hacks, we are not hearing reports of banks being hacked. Assuming these are coordinated in some way, what can these add up to?

What if the goal is to somehow target those who support national security? Would not the personnel information be enough? Would the additional and insurance hacks be needed? Do we know that these are independent and un-coordinated hacks?

What if Will is right, that our health records, diagnosis, test results, and treatments are now under the control of the hackers rather than doctors? Would those hacked now suddenly be diagnosed with incurable diseases, thus providing rational documentation for a near undetectable purge of government ‘workers’?

See how easy it is to make up conspiracy theories?

This is not exactly reassuring, because one of Obamacare's main requirements is total access to all of our personal medical records via a national database. Imagine the Chinese (or anyone else!) obtaining your most personal, private, and intimate medical information. As the liberals like to say, it's a personal decision between a patient and the doctor...and millions of Chinese.

Patti - I watched at least part of Donald Trumps announcement speech yesterday and found it interesting. If he could do even half of the things he promised he would be the one we need at least for one term.

We have had such weak leadership for so long it is going to take a very strong individual to pull us out of the hole. Many of those who want to run are just more of the same, and it would be business as usual in Washington.

Perhaps a fresh candidate who can really see what is taking place in the mess we call Congress could do some good. Some of those who are already in there are comfortable with all the back-room deals, corruption, sweetheart contracts, and all of the shady dealings that go on.

But then I also remember when Obama made his speech and promised us all sorts of things that sounded great, but none of which have come true.

Our computer systems are outdated yet we are paying billions to health insurance companies based only on estimates of how much we "probably" owe them. No real tracking of how much they really spent, how many claims were fradulent, and no documentation at all.

How did we ever manage to round up this many of the village idiots and put them all to work in Washington?

I hadn't heard about this news before I read your hub. The news is very, very scary. Thanks for sharing the information, breakfastpop.

Perhaps the less Obama does the better off we are?

Iran has increased their uranium stockpile by 20%; ISIS controls much of Syria and Iraq; and China now has sensitive information of federal workers (and I use the term, workers in jest).

So what does Obama do? He throws a big party at the WH. Why am I not surprised?

Morning, Pop,

Did you get an invite to the secret Whitehouse party this past week-end?

Everybody who was anybody was there. They say the Obamas paid for it out of their own pockets. Would love to see some proof of that. Hard to imagine the pres being able to relax enough to party the night away. I mean, with all the serious issues going on in this world, like global warming.

But, party he did, with his wife Michelle and 500 guests. Can't do anything about the state of affairs, so, might as well boogie down. My guess is that he will be vacationing and partying and playing golf for the remainder of his term. Oh, wait. That is what he has been doing for the last seven years.

Pop, thanks for the invite, but I am sick to my stomach with this obama

virus. The symptoms are; just don't give a shit and running off at the mouth. It leaves one weaken and in a state of disbelief as if one were walking down the slaughtering ramp with a herd of animals.

DJ.

Not surprised but outraged!

I always enjoy your rants, Pop. I think we have just begun to see how the cyber world can bite us in the butt. It's only just begun...thank you, Carpenters....a brave new world is forming and we are ill-prepared as a nation, from the leaders down the common folk, for that new world.

Good Morning Pop - I will not be at all surprised if this administration finds a way to blame this data theft on Global Warming.

I read where a probing type breach was successful back in November of last year, and they were warned to get some better locks on the door at that time. But this being a Federal Agency of course nothing was done about it.

Now, even with this being a government agency, "somebody" with a name is in charge of data security. This unnamed person earns a large salary to make sure this data is safe and secure. The fact is this "somebody" did not do his job and should be fired and replaced by someone who can do the job.

But then they will blame this data theft on antiquated equipment and software, and those damn Republicans will not give them the money to fix the problem. Nobody will get fired, and the problem will not get fixed. Just another normal day in Washington.

Pop and Manny,

Speaking of cyber-security, I remember when the push was on to redo the Abysmal-Care (Health care) website some items, like security, were allowed to fall short. Has anyone ever said it is up to snuff now?

Relax pop......just because you "heard" her jibberish "registered well," doesn't mean it REALLY did. Remember, the campaign has begun. From here on out, every last syllable that flows from the orifice of a politician (and/or their cohorts) is a blatant, bold-faced L-I-E! A huge pile of Horse dung. We need to concentrate on the goal.

pop.....Looks like an awful lot of people need to figure out a way to live in vulnerable & compromised positions. "Shame on us," is our mantra these days....(sigh)

Of course we don't get the full scope of all the "screw-ups" taking place. This would be way too much truth exposure for the gods to admit to. "Congress needs to step up to the plate??" You mean, a paralyzed Congress is expected to act? Someone needs to wake them and tell them.

Is it me or is 2016 taking FOREVER to arrive? Then again, can we really be so bold as to believe "she" won't get in?? Maybe our high level of wishful thinking is just that? WHERE will we go, pop?