Experts Call for Rigorous Audit to Protect California Recall

AP: A group of election security experts on Thursday called for a rigorous audit of the upcoming recall election for California’s governor after copies of systems used to run elections across the country were released publicly.

Their letter sent to the secretary of state’s office urges the state to conduct a type of post-election audit that can help detect malicious attempts to interfere.

The statewide recall targeting Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, set for Sept. 14, is the first election since copies of Dominion Voting Systems’ election management system were distributed last month at an event organized by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, an ally of former President Donald Trump who has made unsubstantiated claims about last year’s election. Election offices across 30 states use the Dominion system, including 40 counties in California.

Election security experts have said the breaches, from a county in Colorado and another in Michigan, pose a heightened risk to elections because the system is used for a number of administrative functions — from designing ballots and configuring voting machines to tallying results. In the letter, the experts said they do not have evidence that anyone plans to attempt a hack of the systems used in California and are not casting blame on Dominion.

“However, it is critical to recognize that the release of the Dominion software into the wild has increased the risk to the security of California elections to the point that emergency action is warranted,” the experts wrote in their letter, which was shared with The Associated Press.

The eight experts signing the letter include computer scientists, election technology experts and cybersecurity researchers.

Jenna Dresner, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Shirley Weber, said the 40 counties in California using Dominion employ a different version of the election management system that meets various state-specific requirements. She outlined numerous security measures in place to protect voting systems across the state. That includes regular testing for vulnerabilities, strict controls on who has access, physical security rules and pre-election testing to ensure that no part of the system has been modified.

“California has the strictest and most comprehensive voting system testing, use, and requirements in the country, and it was designed to withstand potential threats,” Dresner said in a statement to the AP.

The security experts want California counties using Dominion’s election management system to do what’s known as a “risk-limiting audit,” which essentially uses a statistical approach to ensure that the reported results match the actual votes cast. California also uses paper ballots, which makes it easier to verify results.

The letter said the differences between the leaked Dominion software images and the versions used in California are relatively minor. The experts said thousands of people now have blueprints to the underpinnings of Dominion’s election management system, including some who may have access to voting equipment.

“That increases the risk of undetected outcome-changing cyber-attacks on California counties that use Dominion equipment and the risk of accusations of fraud and election manipulation which, without rigorous post-election auditing, would be impossible to disprove,” the letter states.

A majority of voters are expected to cast mail ballots during the recall, returning them through the U.S. Postal Service or by drop boxes in their counties.

https://www.breitbart.com/news/experts-call-for-rigorous-audit-to-protect-california-recall/

U.S. Military Officials Defend Airstrike That Killed Afghan Family

Kabul resident Ramal Ahmadi on Friday demanded explanations from the Biden administration for the August 29 drone strike that reportedly killed ten members of his family, six of them children.

Senior U.S. military officials insist the strike targeted a vehicle packed with explosives and at least one Islamic State operative was present at the scene.

The Sunday strike occurred three days after the Islamic State in Afghanistan, frequently referred to as ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport that killed over 200 people, including 13 American servicemembers.

The Associated Press (AP) quoted Pentagon officials, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, who insisted the drone strike appropriately targeted an ISIS “facilitator” who appeared to be preparing another “imminent” attack on the Kabul airport.

The Pentagon suggested the massive explosion that killed the Ahmadi family was a “secondary” blast that proved the car was filled with bombs. Anonymous “U.S. officials” told the AP they watched the drone video feed as the strike was in progress and saw explosives being loaded into the car.

“This strike prevented a high-profile attack against both coalition and U.S. forces, as well as Afghan civilians. The decision was made to strike and thwart that attack,” Maj. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor said from Washington on Monday.

Ramal Ahmadi, on the other hand, claims his older brother Zemari had just pulled into the small courtyard of the family home in his Toyota Corolla after returning from work. Several family members, including children, ran out to greet him and were killed when the car exploded from the drone strike. The Ahmadi family said five of the casualties were younger than five years old. Three of them were Ramal’s children, ages 5, 3, and 1 and a half.

“They have to give us answers. Is our blood so worthless, we don’t even get an explanation?” Ramal said to the AP.

His surviving brother Emal pointed to two undetonated gas cylinders in the courtyard and asked, “If the car was filled with explosives like the Americans say, why didn’t these cylinders explode? How could the wall still be standing if this car had been full of explosives?”

Emal angrily denied accusations that Zemari or other members of his family were members of ISIS-K. “If you have proof, I say, ‘Go ahead, kill me.’ But show me the proof,” he said.

https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2021/09/03/u-s-military-officials-defend-airstrike-that-killed-afghan-family/

Chappelle’s Show Comes to Life: Media, Democrats Portray Larry Elder as a ‘Black White Supremacist’

President Joe Biden is turning the world into the movie set of Mad Max.

Democrats are converting America into a Third World poverty camp.

And Terry McAuliffe is running for governor of Virginia, promising to lure businesses to the state with more abortions. (He actually said that this week.)

The innocent American citizen would be forgiven for feeling a tad bit of malaise these days. But the real threat to America, according to Democrats, is the “white supremacist” running for governor of California.

The Los Angeles Times warns that radio talk show host Larry Elder is on a political mission to destroy black people.

“It’s that — perhaps out of spite or perhaps out of an insatiable need for attention — Elder opposes every single public policy idea that’s supported by black people to help black people,” the paper claims. “This has been true for decades, but it’s particularly problematic given the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd.”

Let us set aside the absurd idea that the same Democrat politicians turning the world into the set of Mad Max and America into a poverty camp and believe abortions lure businesses have the faintest clue how to “help black people.” There is something else a little more uh, problematic about this stunning claim.

Larry Elder happens to be — how do we put this gently? — um, “black.”

Mr. Elder is — and I quote — “the black face of white supremacy,” the LA Times reported.

No, this is not some crazy spoof you might read from the Babylon Bee. This is the actual Los Angeles Times newspaper. And it was not in the comics section.

In addition to accusing Mr. Elder of being “the black face of white supremacy,” the LA Times also accused him of being “dangerous” and “smug.” Also, we are told, just because a man is “skinfolk” does not make him “kinfolk.”

Oh my Lord, somewhere, the ghost of Jim Crow is kicking himself for not thinking this stuff up.

Not since the renowned racist, Clayton Bigsby has there been such a threat to black people in America.

For those who don’t remember, Clayton Bigsby is the blind white supremacist famously exposed by comedian Dave Chappelle.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/09/03/charles-hurt-chappelles-show-comes-to-life-media-democrats-portray-larry-elder-as-a-black-white-supremacist/

Don't Expect An Easy Life And Be Ready To Struggle, China's Xi Warns Officials

China's president-for-life (so technically dictator) warned party officials to "discard their illusions" about having an easy life and “dare to struggle” to protect the country’s sovereignty and security

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a key phase, and risks and challenges we face are conspicuously increasing," Xi said, according to state news agency Xinhua, in words that ominously hint at a coming military conflict. “It’s unrealistic to always expect easy days and not want to struggle.”

He told an event on Wednesday to mark the new semester at the Central Party School, where cadres are trained, that: “[We] must not yield an inch on issues of principle, and defend national sovereignty, security and development interests with an unprecedented quality of mind.”

His remarks to hundreds of mid-level cadres from around the country did not elaborate on the need to struggle but were made amid growing tension with the United States on a range of fronts, including geopolitics, the economy and technology, SCMP reported.

Beijing has reacted strongly to what it sees as provocations that touch on its core interests, including staging military drills near Taiwan last month in response to US expressions of support for the island. The growing international criticism of Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang, where it is accused of the use of mass detention and forced labor, have seen it exchanging sanctions with Washington, London and Brussels – freezing a trade deal with the European Union that had taken seven years to negotiate.

And yes, the military is involved too: senior Chinese officials and generals have signaled they expect the competition with the US to deepen, despite recent visits by senior White House officials such as deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman and special climate envoy John Kerry, a meeting which ended in embarrassment for the private-jet flying Heinz family heir after he was rebuffed by China.

According to SCMP, the party school curtain raiser has been used by Xi in the past to set the tone for training sessions for hundreds of cadres from across the country; here, in the past two years, he has called on officials to “struggle” against threats to China’s development.

The tone of his remarks have been consistent with Beijing’s messaging since last year, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor with Renmin University in Beijing. “China’s stance has been tough since the outbreak of Covid in the US last year and the tensions that followed,” he said and although it wasn't clear if he explicitly blamed the US for starting the covid outbreak, it certainly wouldn't be surprising. “Standing firm on China’s position in the competition with the US is never only the job of the foreign affairs departments, but something the entire country is mobilised to do,” he said. Shi added that the same tone is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/dont-expect-easy-life-and-be-ready-struggle-chinas-xi-warns-officials

Florida To Fine Businesses $5,000 For Violations Of Vaccine Passport Ban

The Florida Department of Health has issued a notice indicating it will start issuing $5,000 fines to businesses, schools, and government agencies that require Floridians to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The health department rule, which goes into effect on Sept. 16, details the penalties that businesses and other entities, including nonprofits, face for violating section 381.00316 of the 2021 Florida Statutes, which prohibits them from requiring customers or patrons to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or postinfection recovery in order to gain access to their premises or services.

“Each violation of Section 381.00316, F.S., will result in the imposition of a $5,000 fine per individual and separate violation against the business, governmental entity or the educational institution. Fines imposed are due and payable to the Department within 30 days of entry of the final order unless otherwise stated in the final order,” reads the Florida Department of Health notice.

Health care providers are exempt from the fine, which also does not apply to vaccine requirements businesses or other entities impose on their own employees. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order in April that banned vaccine passports.

“No COVID-19 vaccine is required by law,” the governor’s order stated, adding that “vaccination records are private health information” that shouldn’t be shared via a mandate. The passports, DeSantis said at the time, would infringe on personal liberties and harm patient privacy.

“A requirement to show a passport to take part in everyday life such as a sporting event, going to a restaurant or going to a movie theater would ‘create two classes of citizens,'” DeSantis stated.

Reacting to the Florida health department’s announcement that it would start imposing fines on entities demanding patrons show proof of vaccination, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the state’s only statewide elected Democrat and a candidate hoping to challenge DeSantis for governor next year, was critical.

“Governor DeSantis is retaliating against Floridians who are trying to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19,” Fried told The Associated Press in an emailed statement. “This not only goes against common sense—it’s also an insult to the free market principles that he claims to champion.”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/florida-fine-businesses-5000-violations-vaccine-passport-ban

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/florida-fine-businesses-5000-violations-vaccine-passport-ban

New Orleans power to be restored by Wednesday, says utility company

800,000 customers were still without power Friday, down from the 1.1 million a few days earlier.

Following Hurricane Ida, power in New Orleans will likely be restored by Wednesday, utility officials said on Friday.

While more than a million customers lost power, Entergy, the utility company that provides power to New Orleans, said almost everything should be back up and running by mid-week, the Associated Press reported.

A total of 14,000 damaged poles, over 2,200 broken transformers and 150 destroyed transmission structures are being repaired by more than 25,000 workers from 40 states, according to the wire service.

"Please know that thousands of employees and contractors are currently in the field working day and night to restore power. We will continue working until every community is restored," said a group president for utility operations, Rod West.

South and west of New Orleans were hit harder by Ida, and Lafourche Parish's sheriff's office warned those returning home that there was no running water or power, nearly no gasoline available, and little cellphone service, the AP reported.

"Residents can return to the parish outside of curfew times but are advised to come prepared with all provisions necessary to self-sustain," deputies posted on Facebook.

No promises were made by the utility company regarding when power would be back in the parishes outside of New Orleans.

On Friday, over 800,000 homes and businesses were still without power in southeast Louisiana, according to the Public Service Commission, which is down from the peak of 1.1 million when Ida hit.

Since the storm, several people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which is possible when using generators improperly, according to the AP.

"The most dangerous part of a hurricane is after the storm," said Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans CEO, who cautioned people when using generators. "Here it's sadly happening again."

https://justthenews.com/nation/technology/new-orleans-power-be-restored-wednesday-says-utility-company