In today's world, politics has become increasingly polarized. There is a disturbing trend in Canada where politicians from all parties are increasingly inciting their supporters to hate the other party's supporters. As a result, politicians divert attention from their inadequacies and lack of accountability by turning Canadians against one another. We will investigate this divisive strategy and its consequences and suggest ways Canadians may push back against this harmful narrative.

The Strategy:

It is not a new strategy to pit citizens against one another, but it has gained momentum in recent years. All political parties use this tactic to create strong loyalty and commitment among their supporters. By portraying the opposition as an enemy, they foster a sense of camaraderie among their supporters. Unfortunately, passion for one's party can blind voters to the flaws of their politicians, making it difficult for them to be held accountable.

The Consequences:

This political divide has far-reaching and detrimental consequences for Canadian society. As citizens become more firmly ensconced in their political beliefs, the chasm between parties widens, resulting in a decline in political discourse and increased animosity. As a result, there is a climate of hate and mistrust in this environment, making it difficult to engage in constructive discussions concerning the country's critical issues.

Furthermore, this hateful rhetoric distracts Canadians from the actual work (or lack thereof) being done by politicians. Amid citizen disagreements, politicians can pass controversial policies without public scrutiny. Without accountability, cronyism, corruption, and ineffective governance flourish.

Pushing Back:

Canadians must strive for unity and a common understanding to challenge this destructive narrative. Here are some suggestions on how to accomplish this:

Open and respectful dialogue: Seek out individuals with differing viewpoints and engage in respectful dialogue with them. The importance of listening actively, having an open mind, and considering the merits of different perspectives cannot be overstated.
Focus on issues, not parties: Rather than blindly supporting a particular party, critically evaluate the policies and actions of politicians. Politicians should be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their party affiliation.
Reject hateful rhetoric: Do not participate in or condone hateful rhetoric against supporters of other parties. Call out politicians who incite division and animosity and encourage others to do the same.
Promote unity and understanding: Emphasize common goals and values to bridge the political divide. Politicians should focus on issues that unite Canadians rather than those that divide them.

Conclusion:

Canadians must recognize the harm caused by this divisive political strategy and take steps to counteract it. We can build a stronger, more cohesive nation by encouraging unity, promoting understanding, and holding politicians accountable for their actions. Each of us must participate in the solution and work together to improve our society.

This article represents my personal opinion and perspective on the current state of Canadian politics. It is not intended to defame, malign, or cause harm to any individual or political party.

Keywords: #PolarizedPolitics #CanadianPolitics #DivisiveStrategies #PoliticalAccountability #Unity #RespectfulDialogue #RejectHate #PromoteUnderstanding #HoldPoliticiansAccountable #BridgeDivides #CommonGoals #CriticalThinking #OpenMinds #ConstructiveDiscussions #PoliticalDiscourse #ChallengingNarratives #BipartisanEfforts #PoliticalDivide #Cronyism #Corruption #IneffectiveGovernance #ActiveListening #CommonValues #UniteCanadians #PoliticalAnimosity #PushBack #ResponsibleCitizenship

Modern Politics and the Cycle of Decay: The Fish Rots from the Head Down

April 25, 2023GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Discuss the implications of the proverb "a fish rots from the head down" in modern politics, emphasizing the importance of strong, ethical leadership.

A brief introduction

A fish rots from the head down, an ancient proverb that illustrates the importance of leadership in any organization or society. Unfortunately, when problems arise, the root cause can often be traced back to those in positions of power. This blog post examines the implications of this proverb for modern politics and how political leaders can prevent this decay from spreading.

Politics and the Proverb

According to the proverb "a fish rots from the head down," the leadership is often to blame when things go wrong in a political system. Political problems are often a result of decisions or actions taken by those in authority. Unaddressed, these issues may trickle down and impact the entire system, including its citizens.

Poor political leadership and its consequences

In modern politics, poor leadership can have far-reaching and disastrous consequences. Mismanagement, a lack of vision, and unethical behaviour can lead to political scandals, social unrest, and a loss of faith in the political system. As a result, citizens may become disillusioned with their leaders and lose trust in the democratic process, resulting in low voter turnout, civil unrest, and even the rise of extremist ideologies. Political leaders must adopt strategies that promote transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement to prevent the proverbial rot.

Modern politics: preventing the rot

Politicians must adopt several key strategies to avoid the proverbial fish rot in politics:

Transparency and Accountability: Political leaders need to be transparent and accountable about their intentions, goals, and potential roadblocks. They can establish trust with their constituents and encourage an open dialogue on political issues by fostering a culture of transparency.
Ethical Leadership: Maintaining credibility and public trust requires political leaders to adhere to ethical standards. A leader should prioritize the well-being of their constituents and make decisions based on the greater good rather than personal gain.
Promote Citizen Engagement: Promoting citizen engagement is essential to the success of a healthy political system. Political leaders can facilitate meaningful engagement by ensuring easy access to information, promoting public discourse, and promoting citizen participation.
Collaboration and Bipartisanship: Collaboration and compromise are essential to effective political leadership. To find common ground and come up with solutions that are beneficial to the majority, leaders must be willing to work with opposing parties.

Hashtags: #proverb #leadership #politics #transparency #accountability #ethicalleadership #citizenengagement #bipartisanship #modernpolitics #politicaldecay #fishrotsfromthehead #democracy #goodgovernance #politicalresponsibility #publictrust #government

Understanding the Role of the Canadian Ethics Commissioner: Power and Responsibilities Explained

February 16, 2023GeneralEdward Kiledjian

It is the responsibility of the Canadian Ethics Commissioner, an independent officer of Parliament, to ensure that federal public officeholders and public officeholders in certain other organizations adhere to the Conflict-of-Interest Act and the Conflict-of-Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

The Ethics Commissioner's role is to provide confidential advice and guidance to public officeholders on avoiding conflicts of interest and investigating alleged violations of the conflict of interest rules. Also, the Ethics Commissioner may make recommendations to the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Commons, or other officials regarding possible violations of the rules and make public reports on investigations and findings.

Even though the Ethics Commissioner has the authority to investigate and make recommendations, they cannot enforce their decisions or impose penalties on public officeholders who violate conflict of interest rules. In response to the Commissioner's findings, other bodies, such as the courts or Parliament, are responsible for taking action.

As a whole, the Canadian Ethics Commissioner's role is to promote transparency and accountability in the government by ensuring that public officeholders act in the public interest and avoid conflicts of interest. The Commissioner does not have direct enforcement powers, but their findings can have significant political and reputational ramifications for those holding public office.

A recent investigation:

The Canadian Ethics Commissioner recently investigated the conduct of former Minister of Finance Bill Morneau. Morneau was found not to have repaid travel expenses paid by WE Charity for trips he and his family took to Kenya and Ecuador in 2017. We Charity, which had been awarded a government contract to administer a student grant program, had close ties to Morneau.

Morneau was investigated by the Ethics Commissioner and found to have violated the Conflict of Interest Act by not recusing himself from discussions regarding the WE Charity contract and not disclosing his affiliation with the organization. In addition, Morneau failed to disclose the gift of travel expenses from WE Charity, violating the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

As a result of the investigation, Morneau resigned as Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament. In addition to its political implications, the Ethics Commissioner's findings led to a loss of public trust in the government due to the controversy surrounding the WE Charity contract and Morneau's conduct.

Counter argument:

While the Ethics Commissioner's findings may have led to a loss of public trust in the government, it is important to note that Morneau resigned voluntarily and was not removed from his position by the Prime Minister or the Liberal Party. Additionally, the Ethics Commissioner's report did not find that Morneau acted illegally or that he had broken any laws.

Keywords: Canadian Ethics Commissioner, role, power, responsibilities.

Who was Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau

August 30, 2022GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau was born in Montreal, Quebec, on October 18, 1919. His father, Charles-Émile Trudeau, was a successful businessman and his mother, Grace Elliott, was an heiress. The Trudeau family got their money from Montreal's timber and fur trade businesses.

Trudeau was educated at the prestigious Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf. He then studied law at the Université de Montréal and political science at Harvard University.

Trudeau's relationship with Lester B Pearson began when they were both young men working in Ottawa. Trudeau was a civil servant, and Pearson was a diplomat. They bonded over their love of politics and hatred of the day's Conservative government.

In 1965, Pearson was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and became prime minister. Trudeau became his close adviser and friend.

Trudeau became the party's leader in 1968; he won on the third ballot and became the Prime Minister of Canada in 1968.

As a minister, Trudeau was responsible for sweeping changes to Canada's criminal code, including decriminalizing homosexuality and abortion.

During his time as Prime Minister, Trudeau helped to solidify Canada's status as an independent nation. He also put forth policies that aimed to improve the lives of all Canadians, regardless of their background or station in life.

Some of Trudeau's significant achievements include the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the official recognition of both English and French as Canada's official languages, and the implementation of a universal healthcare system.

Trudeau was also embroiled in several controversies during his time as Prime Minister. These include the 1970 October Crisis, in which he invoked the War Measures Act to deal with a separatist terrorist group, and the 1980 National Energy Program, which aimed to increase government control over the energy sector but ended up alienating many Western Canadians.

Despite these controversies, Trudeau is considered one of the most influential Prime Ministers in Canadian history. He served for over 15 years, and his legacy continues to shape the country today.

My view of the TikTok risk

July 16, 2020GeneralEdward Kiledjian

This is an opinion piece.

TikTok is a Chinese social media network that allows creators to publish short videos. It started with a ton of slapstick comedy and karaoke but has since matured with much more diverse content. It has become one of the most popular social media platforms because of its powerful video pairing algorithm. It has an incredible ability to show you a continuous stream of content you will find interesting, and it is usually correct.

You can see samples on their trending webpage without needing an account.

TikTok belongs to a large Chinese company called ByteDance. This is problematic for western politicians because (it is suspected) Chinese corporations have been stealing IP from their western counterparts for decades.

But why is the USA talking about banning TikTok (a rare censorship move by the US government)?

It is important to remember that China has banned most western social media apps within its borders. Without working around the great firewall of China, a citizen cannot access Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, or any Google property. It banned them to stifle conversation, to censor free speech and to monitor its citizens.

You can use a website like Blocked In China or Comparitech to check if a site is accessible from China

I have lived in Hong Kong and worked in China for a considerable amount of time. So I hope that I can bring some interesting perspectives about China and this TikTok discussion.

The first thing to remember is that you cannot evaluate this matter through an American lens.

Every medium-sized company or larger (think larger than 50-75 employees) is beholden to the Chinese government. This means that the Chinese government can seize, capture or use any information held by any Chinese company. Unlike US authorities, they do not need a court order to undertake any of these activities). Even though the Chinese government has allowed companies to operate with a semi capitalistic model, they theoretically own all Chinese companies operating in China.

A more risky point is (it is said) the fact that the Chinese government incentives Chinese companies and citizens to expand internationally and sign partnerships with western organizations to steal IP. The goal (it is said) is to use this knowledge to build a Chinese variant. Once perfected, the end-goal is to export this Chinese version overseas and take over that market (this works in every vertical from clothing to aerospace).

Read about their 14th five year plan here. Think of the five-year plan as a master blueprint for their economy. It lists the industries they want to lead in during that five year period. The next one (2021-2026 will cover the environment and green tech). During those five years, they want to become industry leaders at any cost (remember the IP theft claim above).

If you watched Silicon Valley on HBO, they alluded to this characteristic when Jìan-Yáng "borrowed" American company ideas to start copies in China (time-code 0:44).

Sometimes patriotic hackers could also attack foreign companies to aid China. The US Department of Justice pinned the Equifax hack on 4 Chinese hackers. This hack gave hackers ,and (it is said) the Chinese government, access to the credit records of millions of Americans. They also had access to confidential Equifax business processes.

So what?

Let's summarise

every Chinese company is owned by the Chinese government
The Chinese government has access to all the data these Chinese companies have

So considering the above, prima facie, Tiktok should be a national security threat. Last year American senators "woke up" and asked their national intelligence agencies for analysis.

Obviously, Tiktok pushed back by saying that they use American servers running in the USA. TikTok also appointed an American CEO.

Think of all the data these companies collect about you (name, location, social graph, habits, likes, etc.). Used "properly" it can generate a ton of obviously useful and some less obviously useful data points.

Read my 2014 article about how Target predicted its’ customers were pregnant before they knew it by data-mining their buying habits. Now imagine what could be done with a ton more information.

Regardless of where the data sits, the company that owns TikTok is ByteDance, a large, fully Chinese organization. Even if the data sits in the USA, ByteDance (it is believed) cannot refuse a request from the Chinese government (regardless of where the data sits).

Remember that Chinese employees have access to the American servers and data. It is claimed that ByteDance has ties to the communist party back home. All of these simply bring TikTok closer to the Chinese government and make obtaining information that much simpler.

In addition to concerns about China gaining access to traditional social media users’ data, there is the concern of TikTok being a tool to exercise soft power.

A popular tool used in cyber offensive activities is Psychological Operations (PsyOps). The goal of a psyops program is to secretly fuel the fire in a foreign country's population to take actions desirable to you.

We heard about TikTok users coordinating on the platform to troll Trump's Tulsa rally.

Was this truly a grassroots movement, or was a foreign adversary secretly working in the background to encourage actions aligned with its interests? Remember that a good psyops program is secret and almost impossible to identify.

Americans see TikTok as a bastion of free speech, but it isn't. Many have claimed Tiktok removes other types of videos that would not normally be considered bad in the west:

TikTok Is Reportedly Removing Videos of People with "Abnormal Body Shapes"
TikTok 'tried to filter out videos from ugly, poor or disabled users'

We have heard other complaints about videos critical of China also were removed. I don't know if this is true, but it would be consistent with how we believe China operates. Don't forget China uses TikTok to flex its soft power by encouraging creators to publish pro Chinese content.

This goes back to the original point of not evaluating TikTok with your American lens. Whereas the removal rules for videos on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter are relatively well accepted (harmful, child abuse, exploitation, promoting hate, etc.), Chinese rules for removal of content are very different. China has an ambiguous law that aims to “prevent the spread of rumours”, What constitutes a rumour is purposefully vague and this law has been used to shut down dissenting voices. When watching online complaints about the types of videos actually being taken down, it seems more aligned with enforcing this law to protect the Chinese “face”.

My assessment is that the Chinese government doesn't care about users discussing American politics. They want to ensure no one criticizes China, the Chinese system or the government's authoritarian rule. This is exemplified by TikTok deleting a video by a makeup channel. She talked about the plight of the Uyghur while doing her makeup and had her video deleted.

China believes in free speech as long as it doesn't impact them or their narrative of the world. Try searching TikTok for videos discussing Hong Kong independence, Taiwan independence, or anything else criticizing China.

Here is a shocking trend for you. Teens in the US and Europe that believe they may have been shadowbanned will publish videos with the Chinese national anthem playing in the background, with pictures of Xi Jinping and professing their love for China. Even though this is being done mockingly, doing this enough could have unintended psychological consequences and start creating positive associations in these teens about China.

Conclusion

I am anxious to see if the USA will ban TikTok and on what grounds. Will they conduct a full and impartial review, or will it simply be a decision of political convenience. Don't get me wrong, as a security professional; I don't trust any company based in China that is beholden to the Chinese government. The general public making dance videos may not care that their data could be used to build a profile of each user.

That if the Chinese government wanted, they could use the videos to create a sizeable facial recognition database with a robust social graph.

That this data, merged with other data from other breaches and leaks, could help build a reasonably reliable profile of hundreds of millions of people.

That the platform could be used to sway younger voters in a particular political direction more aligned with Chinese interests.

I am curious about how the US would implement a ban? Even if they mandated the appstores remove the apps, Android users could sideload it, or TikTok could build a Progressive Web App (a web page that looks and acts like an app). We simply don’t have the same censorship tools as China.

I don't know if the platform IS a risk to national security, but I personally don’t trust it.

If I start seeing more "Chinese contraband" content on TikTok, then I will be inclined to believe they are independent of the Chinese government. I want to see

videos about the Muslim minorities being sent to re-education camps
videos asking for freedom to be restored in Hong Kong
videos talking about Taiwanese independence
videos criticizing the communist government
videos discussing he persecution of Falun Gong members (even imprisonment)

Until then, I hope users understand what could happen with their data. Particularly parents of younger children. Once something is uploaded to the internet, it can never really be removed.

The Destructive Game of Political Hate: How Politicians Benefit from Dividing Canadians