based on my work in security systems and technology, I am convinced security is an illusion. Aside from security analysts and specialists like Edward Snowden and Pfc. Chelsea Manning, everybody is engaged in breaching security systems.
I interviewed a representative for a Silicon Valley firm recently who swore to me that their surveillance data, detected on remote systems and transmitted to a central database and managed by a system administrator, could not be manipulated. The data could be generated for management into reports on the activity of individuals.
Later, I went to remote sites and reviewed reports. They looked impressive with identifying individual names by activity data and time. In response to a blog post on the manufacture's claim of manipulation-free data reporting, several individuals came forward with documentation they were on travel when a systems administrator reported them to management for illegally entering a high security area in restricted hours.
How did this happen? Errors on error-free security systems that cannot be manipulated? Blackmail? Incompetence of the security system administrator? Perhaps the answer is a host of things. If we could see these types of things coming, we could better analyze them.
Business and government agencies spend billions on security, including high technology systems hardware and software, only to discover a flaw at a critical moment when a data breach occurred. Consequences include lawsuits over systems and individual security failures.
The quest goes on for reliable security systems and the price tags go ever higher. Continued systems failures, for whatever reasons, are disappointing, disruptive, and dangerous. Perhaps fool proof security systems are an impossible dream. Still, the quest for reliable security goes on as security threats grow and individuals and firms seek protection from technology and technicians bombarded constantly from malicious sources than span the globe and that are also as close as the next office or cubicle.
Jim Patterson
JEPDiplomat@gmail.com
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Diplomat Jim Patterson and the Politics of Foreign Policy
Foreign policy is playing a major role in the 2016 presidential election.
Foreign policy has traditionally been a strong political issue for the GOP. and it is proving so again this time. Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Lindsay Graham, Carly Fiorina are listening to the American people and articulating their leadership on the Middle East, China, Russia, a strong response to the growing terror threat of ISIS, and the longing and expensive cyber theft by numerous countries, Asian and Eastern European.
While foreign policy is usually a hard political sell to the American people, that is not proving to be the case in 2016. At today's TheHill.com I have a piece titled "Foreign Policy and the Presidency." I will enjoy your comments on this foreign policy thought piece.
Jim Patterson
Member California State Society
Member New York State Society
Life Member American Foreign Service Association
Foreign policy has traditionally been a strong political issue for the GOP. and it is proving so again this time. Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Lindsay Graham, Carly Fiorina are listening to the American people and articulating their leadership on the Middle East, China, Russia, a strong response to the growing terror threat of ISIS, and the longing and expensive cyber theft by numerous countries, Asian and Eastern European.
While foreign policy is usually a hard political sell to the American people, that is not proving to be the case in 2016. At today's TheHill.com I have a piece titled "Foreign Policy and the Presidency." I will enjoy your comments on this foreign policy thought piece.
Jim Patterson
Member California State Society
Member New York State Society
Life Member American Foreign Service Association
Note; Mr. Patterson, a contributor to TheHill.com, is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), Diplomatic and Consular Officers Reserve (DACOR), Friend of the Israeli Defense Forces (FDIF), the Bacon House Foundation, California State Society, Helen Keller International, New York State Society, Life Member Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, and Associate Member Korean War Veterans Association. He resides in Washington DC and New York. jepdiplomat@gmail.com
Friday, November 20, 2015
Diplomat Jim Patterson on National Security and Character
National Security and Character in the Age of ISIS
Jim Patterson
During the GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee, candidate Donald
Trump, in response to a question on undocumented immigration, stated, due to
what he sees as an uncontrolled influx, unless it stops “we have no
country.”
The current debate over Syrian refugees and the growing opposition to
them due to real or imagery national security concerns has raised
fears among a majority of state governors, 31 at press time, about
ISIS agents and sympathizers entering the U.S. and making a deadly
Paris-like strike.
The president could have met with Congress and cooperatively developed an acceptable
and non-controversial plan to provide relief to the Syrians. Instead,
the president has foolishly made Donald Trump’s statement on national
identity and "countryhood" a major political problem for him, fellow Democrats, and Democratic Benghazi-plagued presidential front runner Hillary Clinton.
There is an important lesson here for Mr. Obama and others who would seek leadership status.
-30-
Jim Patterson
Member California State Society
Jim Patterson
During the GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee, candidate Donald
Trump, in response to a question on undocumented immigration, stated, due to
what he sees as an uncontrolled influx, unless it stops “we have no
country.”
The current debate over Syrian refugees and the growing opposition to
them due to real or imagery national security concerns has raised
fears among a majority of state governors, 31 at press time, about
ISIS agents and sympathizers entering the U.S. and making a deadly
Paris-like strike.
The president could have met with Congress and cooperatively developed an acceptable
and non-controversial plan to provide relief to the Syrians. Instead,
the president has foolishly made Donald Trump’s statement on national
identity and "countryhood" a major political problem for him, fellow Democrats, and Democratic Benghazi-plagued presidential front runner Hillary Clinton.
There is an important lesson here for Mr. Obama and others who would seek leadership status.
-30-
Jim Patterson
Member California State Society
James
Patterson
Note;
Mr. Patterson, a contributor to TheHill.com, is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association
(AFSA), Diplomatic and Consular Officers Reserve (DACOR), Friend of the Israeli
Defense Forces (FDIF), the Bacon House Foundation, California State Society,
Helen Keller International, New York State Society, Life Member Associates of
Vietnam Veterans of America, and Associate Member Korean War Veterans
Association.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Jim Patterson at ISH Global Leadership Awards 2015
I enjoyed attending this event and seeing friends. Jim Patterson ISH Support and Accidental Graduate 1996.
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Jim Patterson with News on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
PRESS RELEASE
WDC-075-2015
13 November 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the world prepares to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino-American community gathered for a forum on a Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).
In his welcome remarks, Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, pointed out the importance of discussing the issue of VAW.
“It is ironic that in conflict situations, for example, women are common targets of violence, and yet they are the ones on whom the families and communities rely the most when it is time to heal and rebuild. It is time that all of us recognize the strength of women, treat them with respect and stop their victimization from violence in their homes and everywhere else,” said Minister Chuasoto.
Marie Ramos, Outreach and Training Coordinator at the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, shared her knowledge on addressing VAW and her experience in dealing with cases of domestic violence among the immigrant community in the United States. Atty. JV Chan-Gonzaga, Minister and Economic Officer at the Embassy, talked about Philippine and international laws on the elimination of violence against women and children.
According to Ramos, domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of social class, race, and gender. She described how domestic violence looks in the Asian/Pacific Islander communities, including the incidence of “in-law” violence.
Ramos said expressing empathy and support is the best way to deal with a victim and shared tips on how to receive such information shared in confidence.
"That first conversation is critical. There are varied ways to express empathy and support, such as saying 'I support you' or 'would you like us to seek help and advice together?' While it is a common knee-jerk reaction, telling the person to 'just leave' is not advisable as it can drive the person to do something to put their life at risk. Most importantly, respect the person's decision, whatever that might be,” said Ramos.
In his presentation, Atty. Chan-Gonzaga provided a comprehensive view of international and Philippine domestic legal contexts with respect to eliminating violence against women and children.
He underscored the radical provision of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, which criminalizes several categories of abuse including physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and economic abuse. The law treats acts such as causing physical, threatening physical harm, attempting to cause physical harm, placing the woman or child in fear of imminent physical harm, inflicting or threatening to inflict harm on oneself to control the victim’s actions/decisions, and knowingly or purposely engaging in conduct that causes substantial emotion or psychological distress to the victim as acts of violence against women and children.
“The Philippine law on violence against women and children is state-of-the-art in many respects. However, there is still much to do to enhance enforcement and prosecution capabilities,” said Atty. Chan-Gonzaga.
Both panelists pointed to the historical imbalance in power and gender relations as the main contributory factor to the persistence of VAW among societies. They also emphasized the need to shift cultural attitudes and norms in order to eliminate VAW, and pointed out the movement towards recognizing that men can also be victims of domestic violence.
The forum was part of the Embassy’s Talakayan sa Pasuguan series and the Gender and Development (GAD) program of the Philippine Government. Through the GAD program, the government is working towards mainstreaming gender issues and promoting gender equality in society.
The Domestic Violence Research Project is a Washington DC-based, survivor-centered and survivor-run organization which aims to address, prevent, and end domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities while empowering survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse. The organization provides survivor services, community outreach, and technical assistance. ###
-30-
Jim Patterson
Life Member American Foreign Service Association
WDC-075-2015
13 November 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the world prepares to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino-American community gathered for a forum on a Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).
In his welcome remarks, Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, pointed out the importance of discussing the issue of VAW.
“It is ironic that in conflict situations, for example, women are common targets of violence, and yet they are the ones on whom the families and communities rely the most when it is time to heal and rebuild. It is time that all of us recognize the strength of women, treat them with respect and stop their victimization from violence in their homes and everywhere else,” said Minister Chuasoto.
Marie Ramos, Outreach and Training Coordinator at the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, shared her knowledge on addressing VAW and her experience in dealing with cases of domestic violence among the immigrant community in the United States. Atty. JV Chan-Gonzaga, Minister and Economic Officer at the Embassy, talked about Philippine and international laws on the elimination of violence against women and children.
According to Ramos, domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of social class, race, and gender. She described how domestic violence looks in the Asian/Pacific Islander communities, including the incidence of “in-law” violence.
Ramos said expressing empathy and support is the best way to deal with a victim and shared tips on how to receive such information shared in confidence.
"That first conversation is critical. There are varied ways to express empathy and support, such as saying 'I support you' or 'would you like us to seek help and advice together?' While it is a common knee-jerk reaction, telling the person to 'just leave' is not advisable as it can drive the person to do something to put their life at risk. Most importantly, respect the person's decision, whatever that might be,” said Ramos.
In his presentation, Atty. Chan-Gonzaga provided a comprehensive view of international and Philippine domestic legal contexts with respect to eliminating violence against women and children.
He underscored the radical provision of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, which criminalizes several categories of abuse including physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and economic abuse. The law treats acts such as causing physical, threatening physical harm, attempting to cause physical harm, placing the woman or child in fear of imminent physical harm, inflicting or threatening to inflict harm on oneself to control the victim’s actions/decisions, and knowingly or purposely engaging in conduct that causes substantial emotion or psychological distress to the victim as acts of violence against women and children.
“The Philippine law on violence against women and children is state-of-the-art in many respects. However, there is still much to do to enhance enforcement and prosecution capabilities,” said Atty. Chan-Gonzaga.
Both panelists pointed to the historical imbalance in power and gender relations as the main contributory factor to the persistence of VAW among societies. They also emphasized the need to shift cultural attitudes and norms in order to eliminate VAW, and pointed out the movement towards recognizing that men can also be victims of domestic violence.
The forum was part of the Embassy’s Talakayan sa Pasuguan series and the Gender and Development (GAD) program of the Philippine Government. Through the GAD program, the government is working towards mainstreaming gender issues and promoting gender equality in society.
The Domestic Violence Research Project is a Washington DC-based, survivor-centered and survivor-run organization which aims to address, prevent, and end domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities while empowering survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse. The organization provides survivor services, community outreach, and technical assistance. ###
-30-
Jim Patterson
Life Member American Foreign Service Association
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Diplomat Jim Patterson Writes Senator Dianne Feinstein and President Obama on UC Merced Violence
November
11, 2015
Dear
Senator Feinstein,
Jewish
Press reports today UC Merced student Faisal Mohammad,killed by police for
stabbing other students, was an ISIS supporter. Please share with me any
information you have on this tragic event at UC Merced.
as the
father of Jewish children, I have written you many times about my concern for
safety of Jewish students and their friends at California campuses. Kindly ask
Governor Jerry Brown to increase campus security at California schools due to
increased incidences of threats and acts of violence from varied sources including student ISIS
supporters.
Thank
you for the courtesy of an email response to JEPDiplomat@gmail.com
Sincerely,
James
Patterson
Member
California State Society
Note;
Mr. Patterson is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association
(AFSA), Diplomatic and Consular Officers Reserve (DACOR), Friend of the Israeli
Defense Forces (FDIF), the Bacon House Foundation, California State Society,
Helen Keller International, Kentucky State Society, Life Member Associates of
Vietnam Veterans of America, and Associate Member Korean War Veterans
Association.
November
11, 2015
Dear
President Obama,
The
Jewish Press reports today UC Merced student Faisal Mohammad, killed by police
for stabbing other students, was an ISIS supporter. Please share with me any
information you have on this tragic event at UC Merced.
As the
father of Jewish children, I have written you before about my concern for
safety of Jewish students and their friends at college and university campuses.
Kindly inform me what you are doing to increase campus security at schools due
to increased incidences of threats and acts of violence from varied sources including student ISIS
supporters.
Thank
you for the courtesy of an email response to JEPDiplomat@gmail.com
Sincerely,
James
Patterson
Member
California State Society
Note; Mr.
Patterson is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA),
Diplomatic and Consular Officers Reserve (DACOR), Friend of the Israeli Defense
Forces (FDIF), the Bacon House Foundation, California State Society, Helen
Keller International, Kentucky State Society, Life Member Associates of Vietnam
Veterans of America, and Associate Member Korean War Veterans Association.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Filipino Senior Supreme Court Justice Carpio on UNCLOS
WASHINGTON, DC—“Will the world community allow a single state to rewrite the Law of the Sea, so this single state can exercise indisputable sovereignty to almost an entire sea, subject the high seas to its sovereign jurisdiction, and seize large areas of other coastal states’ EEZs (exclusive economic zone), which are their legal maritime entitlements under both customary international law and UNCLOS?”
This was the question posed by Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, during his lecture on China’s nine-dash line claim and the South China Sea dispute at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 5 October 2015.
“Maritime security and the South China Sea will continue to impact US-China relations and China’s relations with its neighbors. We are pleased Justice Carpio’s speaking tour in the US kicks off today at CSIS. His thoughts will certainly enrich the discourse on what has been characterized by Professor Michael Tkacik of Stephen Austin State University as possibly the single most important dispute in the world today,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said in his remarks.
During his talk, Justice Carpio discussed China’s nine-dash line claim as the root cause of the South China Sea disputes and as having no historical basis.
According to Justice Carpio, China’s national boundaries under the nine-dash line have effects not only on the Philippines but also on other countries in the region and the world.
“The Philippines loses about 80 percent of its EEZs facing the West Philippine Sea, including the entire Reed Bank and part of the Malampaya gas field. Malaysia loses about 80 percent of its EEZ in Sabah and Sarawak facing the South China Sea, as well as most of its active oil fields in the same area. Vietnam loses about 50 percent of its total EEZ. Brunei loses about 90 percent of its total EEZ. Indonesia loses about 30 percent of its EEZ facing the South China Sea in Natuna Islands, whose surrounding waters comprise the largest gas field in Southeast Asia,” said Justice Carpio.
Through the nine-dash line, China claims the high seas which, under international law, are considered global commons. According to Justice Carpio, because any country in the world, including those that are landlocked, can exploit national resources in high seas, the entire world is affected by China’s expansive claim.
The Justice reiterated that activities by China to enforce the nine-dash claim violate the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Such activities threaten peace, security, and stability in the region.
In 2002, China, along with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed that the South China Sea dispute shall be resolved “in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
Eleven years later, China has begun insisting that historical facts be accepted as additional basis of its claim.
“After the Philippines filed in January 2013 its arbitration case against China under UNCLOS, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared that the South China Sea dispute should be resolved in accordance with historical facts and international law,” said Justice Carpio.
However, according to Justice Carpio, the nine-dash line has no historical basis.
Official and unofficial maps of China from 1136 during the Song Dynasty until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 show that the southernmost territory of China has always been Hainan Island.
Hua Yi Tu, a Chinese stone map from the 12th century, excludes disputed islands in the South China Sea from China’s territory. The 1986 Huang Chan Zhi Sheng Yu Di Quan Tu or The Qing Empire’s Complete Map of All Provinces shows that Hainan Island was a part of Guangdong Province and became a separate province only in 1988.
Official and unofficial maps of the Philippines from 1636 until 1933 show that Scarborough Shoal has always been part of the Philippines.
The 1734 Murillo Velarde Map shows Scarborough Shoal and some features in the Spratly Group of Islands as part of the Philippines. The Islas Filipinas, Mapa General Observatorio de Manila published in Washington, DC in 1899 by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey shows Bajo Masinloc, which also refers to Scarborough Shoal, as Philippine territory.
According to Justice Carpio, the Philippines has not only historical basis for its claim to Scarborough Shoal, but also legal basis.
“The 1898 Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States drew a rectangular line wherein Spain ceded to the United States all of Spain’s territories found within treaty lines. Scarborough Shoal lies outside of the treaty lines. However, two years later, in the 1900 Treaty of Washington, Spain clarified that it had also relinquished to the United States all title and claim which Spain may have had at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris, to any and all islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago, lying outside the lines of the Treaty of Paris. Thus, Spain ceded Scarborough Shoal to the United States under the 1900 Treaty of Washington,” said Justice Carpio.
The Justice ended his lecture by reiterating that the Philippines will stand by UNCLOS and the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal with regard to the maritime dispute.
“If UNCLOS does not apply to the South China Sea dispute, as when China’s nine-dashed lines are allowed to gobble up the EEZs of coastal states as well as the high seas, then UNCLOS, the constitution for the oceans and seas, cannot also apply to any maritime dispute in the rest of the oceans and seas of our planet. It will be the beginning of the end for UNCLOS. The rule of the naval cannon will prevail in the oceans and seas of our planet, no longer the rule of law. There will be a naval arms race among coastal countries,” said Justice Carpio.
![]()
Washington, D.C. is the first stop of Justice Carpio’s US tour to conduct lectures on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea dispute. He will bring the lecture to New York City and San Francisco in the next few days. ###
This was the question posed by Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, during his lecture on China’s nine-dash line claim and the South China Sea dispute at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 5 October 2015.
“Maritime security and the South China Sea will continue to impact US-China relations and China’s relations with its neighbors. We are pleased Justice Carpio’s speaking tour in the US kicks off today at CSIS. His thoughts will certainly enrich the discourse on what has been characterized by Professor Michael Tkacik of Stephen Austin State University as possibly the single most important dispute in the world today,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said in his remarks.
During his talk, Justice Carpio discussed China’s nine-dash line claim as the root cause of the South China Sea disputes and as having no historical basis.
According to Justice Carpio, China’s national boundaries under the nine-dash line have effects not only on the Philippines but also on other countries in the region and the world.
“The Philippines loses about 80 percent of its EEZs facing the West Philippine Sea, including the entire Reed Bank and part of the Malampaya gas field. Malaysia loses about 80 percent of its EEZ in Sabah and Sarawak facing the South China Sea, as well as most of its active oil fields in the same area. Vietnam loses about 50 percent of its total EEZ. Brunei loses about 90 percent of its total EEZ. Indonesia loses about 30 percent of its EEZ facing the South China Sea in Natuna Islands, whose surrounding waters comprise the largest gas field in Southeast Asia,” said Justice Carpio.
Through the nine-dash line, China claims the high seas which, under international law, are considered global commons. According to Justice Carpio, because any country in the world, including those that are landlocked, can exploit national resources in high seas, the entire world is affected by China’s expansive claim.
The Justice reiterated that activities by China to enforce the nine-dash claim violate the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Such activities threaten peace, security, and stability in the region.
In 2002, China, along with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed that the South China Sea dispute shall be resolved “in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
Eleven years later, China has begun insisting that historical facts be accepted as additional basis of its claim.
“After the Philippines filed in January 2013 its arbitration case against China under UNCLOS, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared that the South China Sea dispute should be resolved in accordance with historical facts and international law,” said Justice Carpio.
However, according to Justice Carpio, the nine-dash line has no historical basis.
Official and unofficial maps of China from 1136 during the Song Dynasty until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 show that the southernmost territory of China has always been Hainan Island.
Hua Yi Tu, a Chinese stone map from the 12th century, excludes disputed islands in the South China Sea from China’s territory. The 1986 Huang Chan Zhi Sheng Yu Di Quan Tu or The Qing Empire’s Complete Map of All Provinces shows that Hainan Island was a part of Guangdong Province and became a separate province only in 1988.
Official and unofficial maps of the Philippines from 1636 until 1933 show that Scarborough Shoal has always been part of the Philippines.
The 1734 Murillo Velarde Map shows Scarborough Shoal and some features in the Spratly Group of Islands as part of the Philippines. The Islas Filipinas, Mapa General Observatorio de Manila published in Washington, DC in 1899 by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey shows Bajo Masinloc, which also refers to Scarborough Shoal, as Philippine territory.
According to Justice Carpio, the Philippines has not only historical basis for its claim to Scarborough Shoal, but also legal basis.
“The 1898 Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States drew a rectangular line wherein Spain ceded to the United States all of Spain’s territories found within treaty lines. Scarborough Shoal lies outside of the treaty lines. However, two years later, in the 1900 Treaty of Washington, Spain clarified that it had also relinquished to the United States all title and claim which Spain may have had at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris, to any and all islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago, lying outside the lines of the Treaty of Paris. Thus, Spain ceded Scarborough Shoal to the United States under the 1900 Treaty of Washington,” said Justice Carpio.
The Justice ended his lecture by reiterating that the Philippines will stand by UNCLOS and the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal with regard to the maritime dispute.
“If UNCLOS does not apply to the South China Sea dispute, as when China’s nine-dashed lines are allowed to gobble up the EEZs of coastal states as well as the high seas, then UNCLOS, the constitution for the oceans and seas, cannot also apply to any maritime dispute in the rest of the oceans and seas of our planet. It will be the beginning of the end for UNCLOS. The rule of the naval cannon will prevail in the oceans and seas of our planet, no longer the rule of law. There will be a naval arms race among coastal countries,” said Justice Carpio.
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