The Insects Are Watching: The Future of Government Surveillance Technology
by Susanne Posel, Contributor
Activist Post
June 17, 2012
In June of 2011, the US military admitted to having drone technology so sophisticated that it could be the size of a bug.
In what is referred to as the “microaviary” on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, drones are in development and design to replicate the flight patterns of moths, hawks and other air-borne creatures of the natural world.
Greg Parker, aerospace engineer, explains: “We’re looking at how you hide in plain sight” for the purpose of carrying out espionage or kill missions.
Cessna-sized Predator drones, used to carry out unmanned attacks, are known around the world. The US Pentagon has an estimated 7,000 aerial drones in their arsenal.
In 2011, the Pentagon requested $5 billion for drones from Congress by the year 2030.
Their investigative technology is now moving toward “spy flies” equipped with sensors and mircocameras to detect enemies and nuclear weapons.
Parker is using helicopter technology to allow his computer-driven drone “dragonflies” to become precise intelligence gathering weapons.
To have a computer do it 100 per cent of the time, and to do it with winds, and to do it when it doesn’t really know where the vehicle is, those are the kinds of technologies that we’re trying to develop.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled hummingbird drones that can fly at speeds of 11 miles per hour.
DARPA is also inserting computer chips into moth pupae in the hopes of hatching “cyborg moths”.
The California Institute of Technology has created a “mircobat ornithopter” that flies and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
A team at Harvard University has successfully built a housefly-like robot with synthetic wings that buzz at 120 beats per second.
Back in 2007, at the International Symposium on Flying Insects and Robots, Japanese researchers unveiled a radio-controlled hawk-moth.
While the US military would have the American public believe that these new “fly drones” are used for overseas missions, insect drones have been spotted surveilling streets right here in the US.
It is believed that these insect-like drones are high-tech surveillance tools used by the Department of Homeland Security.
The “butterfly” imitates nature so well, that birds and other insects are convinced it is real and not man-made.
Susanne Posel is the Chief Editor of Occupy Corporatism. Our alternative news site is dedicated to reporting the news as it actually happens; not as it is spun by the corporately funded mainstream media. You can find us on our Facebook page.
Canadian Government Installs Microphones and Cameras at Airports To Record Conversations of Air Travellers
by Ian MacLoed
Ottawa Citizen
June 17, 2012
[Potent News Editor’s note: On a related note, cameras have been on buses for a while. When I moved to Halifax two years ago I noticed that when you get on the bus you immediately see a sign indicating that there are cameras on the bus and that video and audio may be recorded for our “safety”. Sadly, only one person I’ve talked to in the past two years has even noticed this sign and that is saying a lot because I’ve asked many people if they knew this was happening. The introduction of audio monitoring equipment in airports is just another step in this Orwellian direction.]
OTTAWA – Airports and border crossings across Canada are being wired with high-definition cameras and microphones that can eavesdrop on travellers’ conversations, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
A CBSA statement said that audio-video monitoring and recording is already in place at unidentified CBSA sites at airports and border points of entry as part of an effort to enhance “border integrity, infrastructure and asset security and health and safety.”
As part of the work, the agency is introducing audio-monitoring equipment as well.
“It is important to note that even though audio technology is installed, no audio is recorded at this time. It will become functional at a later date,” CBSA spokesman Chris Kealey said in a written statement.
But whenever that occurs, the technology, “will record conversations,” the agency said in a separate statement in response to questions from the Ottawa Citizen.
At Ottawa’s airport, signs will be posted referring passersby to a “privacy notice” that will be posted on the CBSA website once the equipment is activated, and to a separate help line explaining how the recordings will be used, stored, disclosed and retained.
[CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE]
[hat tip: NWO Truth]
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding research into bracelets that track mental, emotional responses
by Ethan A. Huff
Natural News
June 12, 2012
(NaturalNews) Pushing vaccines on the entire world is apparently not the only goal of the infamous Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is reportedly now funding research into human tracking bracelets capable of gauging both emotional and physical responses to various stimuli. According to The Washington Post (WP), the Gates Foundation has already quietly spent more than $1 million on research into the biometric bracelets, which could forever alter the way students learn and teachers teach.
In a controversial move that was only recently brought to light, the Gates Foundation allegedly forked over about half a million dollars to South Carolina’s Clemson University late last fall, and another more than $600,000 to the National Center on Time and Learning (NCTL), a group dedicated to improving student achievement. Both grants were intended to fund test studies on the effectiveness of the “galvanic skin response” bracelets, which assess the physiological responses of students to learning material.
The idea is that when a student, for instance, is exposed to new lesson plans from his teacher, the bracelet will detect electrical changes on his skin and inside his body which can be used to assess how well he is learning the information. The bracelet may also detect various cognitive responses in that student’s brain which indicate whether or not a particular teaching style is effectively engaging him according to his learning abilities and types.
Tracking bracelets could further dehumanize American education
On the surface, the bracelet concept may appear as though it could actually help improve the quality of education in America. After all, what bad could come of monitoring innate emotional and cognitive responses to external stimuli for the purpose of improving the methods by which teachers educate their students?
On the other hand, tracking students in this way could open the door for an even more dehumanized approach to education. Standardized testing, numbers-based teacher assessments, and various other outcome-based educational formats have already largely eroded the human element that used to play an integral role in American education.
The bracelets could also further thwart the educational environment to cater specifically to what students want rather than what they need. Using students’ emotional responses to various learning material as a metric of how well a teacher is performing is a flawed approach that could send many quality, veteran educators packing their bags.
What is the real agenda behind tracking bracelets?
When controversy about the tracking bracelets, and particularly the Gates Foundation’s research funding, first began to arise, supporters of the technology denied that their use would affect the learning environment negatively. Deborah Veney Robinson, a Senior Communications Officer at the Gates Foundation, for instance, is quoted in a recent Forbes piece as saying that the bracelets would not be used to evaluate teacher performance, a claim made by the bracelets’ opponents.
But if they are not intended to evaluate teacher performance, then what, exactly, are they for? This is a valid question that many educators and education researchers are now asking. Surely the Gates Foundation has some type of agenda with the program that it is not fully disclosing.
“Why do they want bracelets with wireless sensors for children and teachers that can gauge physiological reactions?” asked Diane Ravitch, an education expert and Research Professor of Education at New York University (NYU), who is skeptical of the Gates Foundation’s intent with the research. “What’s the purpose of this research? I don’t understand what those bracelets are for. Still don’t.”
Based on the Gates Foundation’s other agendas, it is not too far of a stretch to assume that tracking bracelets could one day be used to weed out students or teachers that do not buy into the vaccine agenda, for instance, or those that oppose phony environmental hoaxes such as global warming. By monitoring what is being taught and how students respond to it, Big Brother could theoretically read the human mind in real time, which has some fairly disturbing implications.
How long will it be before schools begin requiring that students link up to the system via tracking bracelets so that authorities can essentially monitor and control human thought? Will the bracelets one day be modified to deliver an electric zap to students that get out of line, or that diverge from the information being taught to them? There truly is a brave, new world before us, and the Gates Foundation is helping to pave the way directly to it.
Sources for this article include:
Canada’s warrantless surveillance bill is back, and bigger than ever, with surveillance powers for US gov’t, too
by Cory Doctorow
Boing Boing
June 8, 2012
Bill C30, the sweeping Canadian warrantless Internet surveillance bill, is back from the dead. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews (who declared that opposition to his bill was tantamount to support for pedophiles) has been working behind the scenes to resurrect his legislation, joining forces with the US government in the name of “perimeter security.” This proposed deal would expand the warrantless surveillance to US authorities, who could also access Canadians’ private information.
OpenMedia.ca has been rounding up the names of Canadian MPs who oppose C-30, compiling a master list of the politicians who’ll stand with Canadians against this kind of wholesale, international surveillance of their data. They want Canadians to pressure their MPs into taking the pledge.
Vic Toews, far from backing down, is pushing for a renewed multi-faceted scheme to erode Canadians’ online privacy rights: Toews has been working on a deal with the U.S. known as “Perimeter Security”, which could lead to the U.S. government having access to your private data.2 Additionally, the Federal Budget for this year includes a plan to cut funding to the watchdog responsible for overseeing Canada’s spy agency, CSIS.3
All in all, Toews’ actions could lead Canada to become a large, recklessly-governed surveillance society.
But we have momentum now, with nearly two-thirds of opposition MPs on our side. You got us this far, now take a moment to get your friends, family, co-workers—everyone you know—to speak out about the costly scheme to collect your private online information at any time, without a warrant.
Letter to Supporters: Who’s on your side?
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Source – http://boingboing.net/2012/06/08/canadas-warrantless-surveill-2.html
hat tip: Activist Post
Intel Hub Press Members Harassed by TSA Agents In Route to Bilderberg 2012 [video included]
by Alex Thomas
TheIntelHub.com
May 29, 2012
This morning Shepard and myself left our house before 4am in route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with the belief that we would most likely be at least mildly targeted by the TSA.
Upon arrival we were happy to find out that they were not using the dangerous naked body scanners. Sadly, they were actively patting down old women and journalists as possible terrorists.
In the video below you will notice a TSA agent single out the founder of theintelhub.com for a full scale bag search. The agent then preceded to pull every piece of journalism equipment out and inspect it for apparent terrorism connections.
What was not caught on our cell camera was the dirty looks and freak out mode that took place after Shep filmed the agent. We were also witness to a 70 year old elderly women being felt up by what can only be described as a butch type TSA agent.
Jason Bermas, theintelhub.com’s third team member, was also harassed in New York with TSA agents attempting to force him through the body scanners.
We also released a video on the way to the airport and one after we finished with the Orwellian Security:
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert – Episode 16 [audio]
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert – Episode 16
May 13, 2012
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert and guests, Activist Post writer Brandon Turbeville and subject of his latest article, Katerina Jeleva, the Utah woman who had her son stolen by an agent of “family services” despite a declaration of innocence by the court and social services. You can read her story HERE: http://www.activistpost.com/2012/05/utah-woman-has-son-stolen-by-cps-agent.html
Brandon Turbeville is an author out of Mullins, South Carolina. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Francis Marion University and is the author of three books, Codex Alimentarius — The End of Health Freedom, 7 Real Conspiracies, and Five Sense Solutions. Turbeville has published over one hundred articles dealing with a wide variety of subjects including health, economics, government corruption, and civil liberties.
For information on Brandon’s brand new book, Dispatches From a Dissident — Articles From the Infowar, visit: http://www.activistpost.com/2012/05/dispatches-from-dissident-articles-from.html
For Brandon Turbeville’s most recent articles, visit his archive page: http://www.activistpost.com/search/label/Brandon%20Turbeville
http://EndtheLie.com
Support us! http://EndtheLie.com/store
http://OrionTalkRadio.com
Show page: http://bit.ly/etlradio
All material(s) used in this video that are not original or are under copyright are used under Fair Use under the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107.
How to Deal with Spies [video]
YouTube — ravenise00
May 24, 2012
Michael Rivero of http://www.whatreallyhappened.com
PN 