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Ohio Sheriff in ‘Smart Meter’ Story That Led to One Woman’s Power Being Cut Tells Us His Side: It Could Have Ended Differently
The Ohio sheriff involved in the smart meter incident where a handicapped woman had her power cut told TheBlaze the situation probably would have ended differently had he personally responded to the power company’s call for an escort to the residence.
Last week TheBlaze and Glenn Beck’s radio program featured stories about Ohio resident Brenda Hawk and her battle against AEP, the local power company. For months the utility was trying to install a “smart meter” at Ms. Hawk’s home. She resisted and managed to delay the installation until February 8th, when representatives from the company, escorted by a sheriff’s deputy, disconnected the power to Hawk’s home. This left the handicapped woman without power to pump water or operate the medical device she needs to breathe as she sleeps.
When Hawk told her story to TheBlaze and to Beck, she said that she asked the “sheriff” on the scene if he was there to protect her rights, he allegedly responded, “No, I’m here to protect them,” referring to the utility workers.
The details of Hawk’s struggle to keep her electricity and not be saddled with a “smart meter” sparked a public outcry that also got the Ohio governor’s office involved. Less than three hours after the story hit TheBlaze, power to Hawk’s home was restored. However, some people started looking in the direction of the Sheriff’s office and asking questions about why the local law enforcement was not protecting the rights of a citizen.
After Hawk appeared on Beck’s radio show last week, questions were raised about the Sheriff of Allen County, Samuel A. Crish.
TheBlaze contacted Sheriff Crish and spoke at length with the elected official about what happened and why. From our interview we learned:
- Samuel A. Crish is a local Republican. Born and raised in Allen County – and just re-elected as Allen County Sheriff (his second term) – he ran unopposed and earned more votes than almost any candidate generated in the various elections last fall.
- Crish and his wife have a 21-yr-old son. He also has two step-sons and eleven grandchildren.
- Sheriff Crish was not on the scene when Brenda Hawk’s power was cut. On site was a deputy from his office.
- Crish and Hawk have a history – he investigated a previous incident with the same power company, on her property back in 2002.
- Had he known about the request for a patrol car to Ms. Hawk’s home, Crish would have taken the call himself.
Allen County is a Republican county and voters overwhelmingly supported GOP candidates in the 2012 election. Mitt Romney beat Barack Obama 61% to 37%.
Crish ran unopposed in his most recent election and, considering his party affiliation and the county’s political leanings, he earned 100% of the votes cast. In fact, more Allen County residents voted for Crish (38,349) than voted for the winners from the U.S. Senate and House races. (Senator Sherrod Brown got 17,456, Rep. Jim Jordan was elected with 31,072 votes)
Concerning the incident with Ms. Hawk. TheBlaze reviewed the incident report filed on February 8th. Deputy Chuck Ganson was the Sheriff’s office representative who escorted the utility workers to the scene and handled the brief interaction with Hawk. As mentioned above, Sheriff Crish told TheBlaze that he would have taken the call himself, had he known about it.
“I know Brenda Hawk. And because of my previous interaction with her, had I known about it, I would have gone there,” he said. “I think I could have talked to both sides and come up with a better result.”
That previous interaction with Hawk is in reference to a 2002 incident that ended with her being arrested and eventually found guilty of aggravated menacing. The utility company was trying to trim some of the trees around the power lines and Brenda tried to prevent them by allegedly using a slingshot and a rifle to scare off the work crew.
Hawk went to trial, was found guilty, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $10 fine. She paid the fine and the jail sentence was suspended.
Image: Allen County
Since 2002, there have been no problems between the power company and Hawk — until February 8th.
Sheriff Crish was very clear that he knew that state law prevents power companies from disconnecting service from elderly and handicapped residents during winter months. Although the law was written to prevent power from being cut to people who were behind on payments, Crish told us that he believed he could have negotiated a better result than the one that happened earlier this month.
TheBlaze asked the sheriff where he stood on protecting a citizen who wanted to keep their electrical power without having a “smart meter.” Crish answered:
“Our office does not have anything to do with whether or not someone wants a smart meter or not. If a citizen does not want one, they will have to take that up with the power company. The only reason we were ever called to her residence was (because) of what happened in 2002. Our purpose was just to make sure all parties involved would be safe. The power company should have never shut off her power. They simply should have left and looked into other options, especially since she was saying that she had a medical condition.”
“I have 168 people that work for me and I cannot be aware of what every single one of them is doing all the time. If the call had been for something serious and not just a request for an escort, I would have probably been notified.”
As far as the Issue on Gun Rights, I am a definitely a believer in the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment was put in the Constitution so citizens could protect themselves. Why should we punish the law abiding citizen? The criminals will never obey any laws. If they want weapons they will get them so the law abiding citizen would have no way to protect themselves. It’s the criminal we need to worry about not the law abiding citizen.I think you have to look at the whole puzzle not just once piece. That’s not the answer. You have to look at all of the pieces of the puzzle. Example: violence. Look at what’s on the internet, on TV and the video games these kids are playing today. There are a lot of parents that use the x-box or play station as a form of a way to baby sit so these kids sit and play these games for hours (violent games). We also need to look at mental health issues/prosecution. These are just a few things they (the government) should take a look at.
Crish has been working full time for the Allen County Sheriff’s office since 1991. Before he was promoted to Major, Crish was named the Allen County Officer of the Year in 2005. He worked his way from a Juvenile Court Officer all the way up to the elected position of Sheriff. Last month, he swore the oath for a second term.
The sheriff will join the Glenn Beck Radio program Thursday morning to explain his story.
Editor’s Note: TheBlaze’s Mike Opelka joined Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker to discuss this story on Thursday’s BlazeCast:
In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.
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Comments (124)
AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:56pmIt always amazes me that we buy a house and gas companies, electric companies etc think they have the right to come on your property and do whatever they want whether you want it or not.. all homeowners should have the right to say NO.. Daddy always use to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”! Thats whats wrong with this country.. we are a throw away society.. or I am going to make it easier on our company. I lived somewhere once where they trusted you to go out and read your own meter and I would call it in then about once a year they would send somebody to read it just to keep you honest. It didn’t pay to lie, because in the end it would catch up with you anyways! It saved the company a lot of money to boot!
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:09pmUm, it states as much directly in the contract you sign with them. Don’t you read contracts you sign before you sign them? Seriously, it’s right there. To scream “trespassing!” and violate your contract puts you in the wrong, not them.
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4DiedObamaLied
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:10pmWhy have the management of the power company not been fired or put in jail for what they did. Lets not worry about what the sheriffs department did, go after the power company and run them out of town.
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SovereignSoul
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:43pmBoycott water, electricity and natural gas now!
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circleDwagons
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:09pmHey Ghost. Cannot understand some of the comments and thinking of these “smart” meters. Until last year every month i had to gp out and read my own meter, must of the time it was in the dark. I get my power from a COOP no complaints. However I used to inflate my readings during the low periods to offset the high demand months. My COOP will average out use and average out bills. Again no complaints.
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:21pmGhostOfJefferson is right. You agreed to allow them on your property when you signed up for their service. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to take monthly meter readings without your express permission.
It should also be said that you are borrowing THEIR meter. You can’t keep their meter indefinitely just because you want it. Trust me, you don’t want to have to buy it. They provide you the meter as long as they provide you the electricity. If you ever have your electricity turned off, they remove the meter as well. They cut the power at the pole, not at the house otherwise it would be easy to bypass and a hazard.
The real problem is what SovereignSoul alludes to. You have no recourse. You generally don’t have an alternative provider your can turn to and in a lot of areas it is a government run monopoly.
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JTX
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:22pmThe officer had no business arresting someone. If the woman protested the power meter, the utility company should simply have shut off the power. It was not a police matter.
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:15pmWhen they shut off YOUR power, they pull THEIR meter (Caps for emphasis). Doing so requires that they have access to their meter. Thus the police escort since their contract with you gives them access to their meter. Otherwise, without a smart meter, they wouldn’t be able to take a monthly reading to bill you for your energy usage.
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ECtech
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:20pmI don’t know where you live; but everywhere I have lived – they DO NOT remove the meter when they disconnect your power.
They may in some parts of the country, but not everywhere. You should not ASSUME that it happens everywhere.
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Junter
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:14pmDisagree, old meter worked fine. Smart meters allow the electric company to monitor our usage beyond what was previously done. Invasion of privacy? Possibly. It also allows them to charge more for power during optimal use times. This benefits them not us.
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Colorado7972
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:06pmWelcome to the New Nazi Germany, er I mean Nazi America of 21st century.
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FiscalBill
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:18pmHeard him on your show earlier. Glad he came on and gave his version of events.
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heidihoneighbor
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:12pmPower companies are excessive crooks and the police nor sheriffs dept. Should have anything to do with providing private protection to companies over citezens.
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:26pmThe protection is for all parties involved. The private property owner can be assured that the power company doesn’t do any damage to the owners person or property. The company can be sure that the private property owner doesn’t prevent access to the company’s equipment that they are letting you borrow. The officer is there to keep the peace. Read your electric contract, you don’t own the meter and you are contractually obligated to give them access to it. The officer is there to allow the contract to be enforced. If the resident doesn’t like the electric companies service, they have the option to cancel that service. But here lies the real problem. We have allowed monopolies to energy providers and without competition, you are at the mercy of the sole providing company.
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theaton
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:47pmHow nice of the monopolistic power company to LET you borrow their meter. They are not letting you borrow it, they install it at their own expense so they can charge you an excessive amount because there is no competition. The power company does not have to remove the meter to shut off the electricity, they shut the electricity off at the pole before they remove the meter. The escort assisted in the violation of the law. He knew or should have known that turning off the elecricity of an handicapped person in the winter months is illegal. The officer should get a few days off unpaid and the electric company person that shut the power off should be fired and prosecuted for the violation of hte law.
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Missouri_Patriot
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 1:30amNo, this was done to intimidate the property owner…..plain and simple. I don’t know where you live, but I didn’t sign any “contract” with my electric provider. I called to set up service. They ran a credit check, determined a deposit wasn’t necessary to set up service and that was that. The place already had power, so no one even came out. It may be their meter, but it’s on MY house. If they want unfettered access to it, they are free to move it out to the street which is public domain. My property is private and they don’t have any more business on my property than they do inside my home. To do so without my consent IS trespassing. “Law Enforcement” once again is on the wrong side of this.
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funjumper
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:05pmI’m curious but is seems to me, that if all devices in your home get programed to run at low use time then doesn’t that low use become a high use time when everybody’s appliances turn on at once. Will they work in grids and turn on grid B after grid A has finished all their dishes and laundry? I do not see how the smart meter will work once everyone has them and the corresponding appliances. If your washer is running because it is a low usage time and everyone suddenly cuts on theirs will yours stop because usage has gone up? Explain
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John.Galt
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:25pmVery simple – BIG BROTHER will determine WHAT you can use and WHEN you can use it. Want that hot shower at 6 AM to get your day started? Sorry, the hot water heater turns on 6:30. Need to do a load of laundry before going on vacation? Sorry, you cant use the washer/dryer until evening…
OBAMA WILL DECIDE…. YOU WILL DIE…
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The patriot.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:55amIt’s easy to see this whole situation spun out of control no common sense on the power company turning off the power in the wintertime instead attempting to at least explain to this woman what this is all about and the Sheriff’s Department. I’m stepping in and saying you think turning off the power to her in the wintertime is a good idea for her and for you not to mention your reputation of the power company.
Even if she didn’t understand they could at least say they attempted to explain to her that this wasn’t going to be a problem for her. Power companies don’t have a good reputation to begin while I guess they don’t care if they do or not.
Is the Sheriff’s Department required to record all their phone calls if so wouldn’t say have the phone call of that woman and the deputy that called her???
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Okie4Christ
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:53amHere is my take:
In the first incident, AEP was lawfully on the right of way conducting lawfull activities. The woman was wrong to shoot a sling shot and fire the muzzle loader without a projectile. Aggrivated menacing was probable the right charge.
However, when the power company attempt to come on to personal property, they are tresspassing. AEP should give her the choice. Get the smart meter, or get power cut off. She has the choice. If she chooses to keep her power, they show up (sherrif can be there too due to previous incident), and if she refuses them access then obvioulsy she has changed her mind. AEP goes away and cuts off her power. The Sherriff protects her from a tresspassing AEP employee, and to protect the employee from unreasonable behaviour on her part…..pretty cut and dried. Deputy should have orderd AEP to leave when property owner objected. The deputy has no control over wether or not AEP cuts off her power. That is for a civil court to decide.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:53pmNo, they’re not trespassing. Check the agreement you make with the power company, it explicitly spells out that you allow them on your property for access to the meter. Trespassing implies explicitly that no permission was granted.
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:30pmWhen they cut your power, they pull their meter. It is their property. You are allowed to have it on your property as long as you abide by the contract that you agreed to when getting service provided. Don’t abide by the contract, they are able to retrieve their property.
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Exiledhunter_6
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:12pm@GHOSTOFJEFFERSON
You do realize that the power company does NOT own your meter right? You own the meter to your house. While you are right that you can not call the police on them for trespassing, they can not explicitly remove your personal property without your consent.
The power company also can not cut off your power because you refuse a piece of their equipment to be installed on your property, they are voiding their end of the contract should they do so. If your bill is paid they have no right to cut your power, unless they want to be on the wrong end of a civil law suit. One the tricky things about being a monopoly if you will, is that you don’t get to decide if your going to service someone or not, most power companies business practices are controlled by the city or state they are providing power for. So their contract to you is basically stated that you can’t shut off power to resident or business simply because they will not comply with something that you wish to do. If resident does not pay their bill, that another matter all together, but if the power company wants to force a new meter on you, then they have to notify you ahead of time and request permission to do so. Most power company will do the following when a resident and/or business does not comply. They will send a letter explaining your rates will go up because they have to employee someone to go out and read your old meter unless you give them permission to install the new meter.
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9huskies
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:22pmExiledhunter_6, the meter onmy house says “property of Central Maine Power Company”. The power company owns the meter and everything upstream from there. I own everything downstream of the meter.
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expendable
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:34amhey ghost of jefferson let me guess you ether work with something to do with this or you don’t own a home are you well off ? they for one are using tax payers money and in washington state they are already going to force people to put in expensive sprinkler systems thats just the start the way you keep fighting with anyone that has a problem with this you have an agenda you weirdo
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:56pmUm, no, wrong answer. I own a leather business. Bit of a stretch to connect that to working with the power company.
I don’t have an agenda here, I’m concerned with facts. There are libertarian technicians that I know of directly, one even posting on this thread, that are stating the facts of the matter.
The only “wrong” here was that the electricity was shut off. Everything else, is against this woman. First, for being ignorant about what is and isn’t a smart meter (this, is not, a smart meter as Beck describes, not even close), second for firing a firearm and a slingshot during the encounter, and third, again, for being absolutely ignorant of the fact that she signed a contract with AEP that grants them the ability to enter her property to access the meter for whatever reason. She assaulted others, and she is in breach of contract.
Facts mean more than agenda. Rise above agenda, go with facts.
Period.
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Allseasonangler
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:30amGlenn Beck defends Sheriff over citizen on his radio show this morning for helping the power company install a smart meter at her house.
The Sheriff openly questions the citizen’s medical conditions and Beck remains silent.
Beck stated clearly that installing a smart meter is a right of the power company and you have to submit or have your power turned off!
Beck sides with Sheriff who claims his staff was not rude to the disabled citizen and tries framing the citizen as a troublemaker.
The Sheriff suggests the disabled citizen who legitimately made complaints, is the problem.
Beck asks Sheriff about if he would support gun confiscation or the second amendment,which is complete unrelated to the incident of smart meters.
So Beck uses his show to make the Sheriff department look good except the deputy.
Beck does not have the deputy in question on his radio show and uses a red herring distraction by clearing the Sheriff of wrong doing while strongly stating the power companies have a right to place smart meters and you as a subject have to submit and look for alternative energy to power your home.
Beck is a misinformation deceiver. He uses stories important to liberty and patriot movement, then adds poison to the delicious glass of orange juice. He does not admonish the right of local governments to force citizens to submit to smart meters.
So much for opposing Agenda 21! Beck sells you the book, then defends the right of Agenda 21 to install smart m
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mareseb
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:25pmI have to agree with you and I’m amazed at some of the positions Beck takes sometimes. For one thing, does anyone on here have any clue about the amount of conflict that has been raging out in California…..yes, California….due to these smart meters! Look it up on Youtube and other search engines to find more details. But smart meters in one County in Ca. created such a citizens backlash that the people were able to get the smart meters outlawed in their county due to health risks. Many people were adversely affected with headaches, insomnia, dizziness, nausea etc. etc. with these smart meters due to excessive electro magnetic radiation exposure. Also the infringement of privacy… clearly anyone with half a brain knows that these smart meters are equipped with radio transmitters and send back signals to the company thousands of times per day. The electric company then knows how much and when electrical appliances in the residence are being used, thus able to modify output at their discretion. Sounds innocent enough except that it also allows people within the company to know if you’re home or not, and since these meters send back information which is then recorded….well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that such a system can be hacked. This leaves the homeowner at the mercy of strangers knowing when you’re home… or if you’re away, hence leaving your home exposed to the threat of home invaders.
So there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye!
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expendable
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:23amTo All of you rich fools out there that are defending this smart meter crap maybe you should look at what is the cost to the middle class PEON even wikapedia states this will lead to making you buy new appliances to work with this crap of coarse at the expense of the home owner i’m sorry that I myself got sick and have had to purchase healthcare well after 14 years of paying for this which was 10,000 a year well now the last 3 years it’s 20,000 a year I certainly cannot afford all these fancy appliances and I can’t get a loan how nice this happens during the housing crisis and unless you give your home away for pennies on the dollar you lose your house just because this benefits only the power co. making it unaffordable just great more americans homeless and the illegals will be given great loans to take over your now empty house this is pure EVIL ! by the way washington state PUD electric co. got free money from the federal gov. to do these smart meters isn’t this the tax payers money it’s like stabbing yourself in the back!
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demsrtraitors
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:19amas bad as it is, You KNOW law enforcement and the utility company would never shut off power to illegal aliens. Even this sheriff would probably back down to that.
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fourfreedom
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:11pmYep, and you notice they can’t turn power off if you are BEHIND on your bill but boy if you are not, and you pay your bill, FLIP it is OFF?? I believe it should stay on until the issue is resolved in a court of law since it is a device that DOES cause HARM, and if wrong than show it in court.
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:33pmBoth my neighbors have had their electricity turned off for non-payment. Both of them had their meters pulled. Don’t pay your bill, trust me, they will turn you off around where I live.
She could possibly get a court order to prevent the smart meter from being installed until it is settled in court but probably not likely.
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FeliciaJewel
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:09amMeters are set up for future changes. So whether or not you believe they are a threat today makes no difference. The fact is once it is installed the changes will take effect. I can switch out my OS from Windows 7 to 8 in less than an hour. I can change out my motherboard in a half hour. If you think that this meter is not ready for future changes your are not reading or informing yourself. Look up GE appliance…. “Both the washer and dryer automatically delay start until energy rates go down, so you can set them to run during low-cost hours.” Key word here is automatically!!!! Oh you can override it for now. So don’t you worry… you can still have clean clothes when you need them. Right? We all know that GE is not cozy with the government right? Do not think for one minuet that the electric, gas, or water company will not be able to update these meters to turn your utilities off when they want!!!! Keep telling yourself that they can’t today because tomorrow they will. I will not have one on my home!!!!!!
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:13amHow can these meters walk into your home and re-wire your switch box and/or install a new thermostat that works in conjunction with the meter? I’m curious, because that would be some right powerful technology right there.
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FeliciaJewel
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:33amThe UK has already installed many smart meters, British Gas “We can send text alerts to your monitor if we have something you need to know, for example, that you could change to a cheaper tariff.” The technology of today changes by the day. The meters will remotely connect. Can you upload a file, download a song wireless… why can’t they send programs, apps, or other information to your meter? How do they “meters or thermostats” walk in, we allow it because it will be the law of the land. If you want service you will have to have it installed. It will not be up to you or me to determine if we want to a smart grid, smart meter, smart washer/dryer or any other smart device, it will simply be do you want water, gas, and electric offered by the utility companies.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:24pmYou cannot control a thermostat with a meter without first configuring the meter to talk to the thermostat. Technology is not “magic”, it doesn’t work by the rules of magic, and a lot of complex setup and configuration is required to make anything of this nature work, further, a majority of that setup would have to necessarily be done INSIDE YOUR HOME.
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BSdetector
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:07pmUntil they mandate that all new thermostats will talk to the meter and anyone replacing an old type, must have the house rewired to accept the new type… Do you really think that’s a far fetched thought???
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:19pmWell, Bsdetector, that would mean another round of new meters installed. This one is very limited in functionality. Second, that would require a huge coordinated effort to establish a universal protocol for communications (which would be necessary to design the firmware in the meters to work with the appliances/meters in question). You’d see it coming five years ahead of time with plenty of time to spare.
I’ll say again, technology is not “magic”. What’s happening here is that people are getting into a lather thinking this is something it is not. Research people, research!
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prometheous
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:09amwhat about asking him this question. Is it EVER ok to answer a question about protecting my property rights with No? I don’t buy it, not for one second. I don’t believe for one nano-second that the Sheriff would have gone out on that call. So the deputies don’t reflect the office of Sheriff? Example from the top down. You wonder why we don’t trust police……maybe it’s because they tell you , ” No were not here to protect your property rights” He is responding on this because it puts a smudge on the polished brass of his badge.
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expendable
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:35amLove the name !
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whatdoibelieve
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:38pmEver consider that they were protecting the property rights of the owner of the meter? The homeowner does not own the meter. They do not have the right to keep property that is not theirs and that they have contractually borrowed from another entity. The sheriff was protecting the property owner when they went to her house to retrieve their property.
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Gargent_Furball
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:08amTo listen to Glen, The sheriff is the last resort to the Constitution.
Now I’m worried. Is a Sheriff a Cop or what ? Does the Sheriff operate by other rules ?
I support my police department But I haven’t seen a sheriff in Salt Lake for quite some time.
I’m wondering if they have joined up with the Unified police force. That scars me. Need I worry about my guns?
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expendable
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:01amI personally don’t care on most of these smart meter issues BUT !! for the newer homes especially out there if I owned this type of home yes I would be concerned I do not want some DICTATOR electric co. to be shutting things off in my home or lowering temp.s down because they don’t like what i’m doing then I have a problem with it also does anyone like their job one of the few left to be gone that sucks but I still believe it’s all about controlling you ! how convenient are gas has sky rocketed so much for the generator maybe convert to propane or natural gas then you’ll see that sky rocket hopefully not
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:09amThese meters cannot shut things off in your home. Educate yourself.
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LovinUSA
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:53amThese damn “smart meters” are to cause everyone problems and the government knows this, it is to interfer in your life to make you miserable and that is the only reason they arfe tryiny to install these boxes of annoyance. Just something else to cause havic because they want you to suffer. Go back to your damn sand dunes.
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TRILO
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:47amSince when did an electric utility company’s business model surpass the personal property rights of the people? There is no reason a utility company can not have a two tier payment system; one for those who use the meter and one for those who do not. My community has such a system.
I understand why the utility companies want to use the smart meter because it reduces the cost to produce and deliver the product, especially during peak hours and months. However, I gladly pay the higher cost on my electric bill to keep that piece of equipment off my property and away from any politician’s hands.
Shame on the sheriff for not standing for personal property rights, no matter what party he belongs to.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:53amRead my initial post on this thread. This isn’t the “smart meter” you’re thinking of.
Second, power meters are private property and belong to the electric company. I support your right to keep them off your land, but I then also support their right to cut off your power entirely and sue you for the cost of the meter.
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searcher619
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:15pmUltimately you can’t tell a company how they will monitor your use of their service. Smart meters are the future and they will eventually be installed on all structures that use their service.
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19.5
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:44amSmart meters cause adverse health reactions in some people..
If its a cost issue, they should just charge the homeowner extra for a meter reader..hell, in michigan some rural homeowners actually read their own meters and send the figures in..
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:48amShow me the research. Not conspiracy sites stating they cause health problems, but actual medical studies by accredited institutions showing that your claim is correct. Serious question, I’d love to see actual numbers on what you claim.
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Tayper
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:01amHere in Texas AEP contractors cut a large lock off of my meter base and installed a smart meter while I was not home. Now they charge an additional $3 a month for the meter. I wrote to the utility commission and they did replace my lock! Go figure?
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midnightsun
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:06amI live in Florida and have had my smart meter on my electric box for several years and have had no problems whatsoever. We are not walking around glowing green or being sick. It’s more accurate then my water meter, Lord knows they’ve misread that a couple of times!
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zenjak
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:18pmI don’t know what model of smart meter that’s involved in this article or what its current or future capabilities are, so I won’t comment on this meter itself. But look how far our country has fallen under the shadow of the federal government when we now fear the potential mis-use of a power meter by gov’t officials or their cronies.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
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shorelineliz
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:16am@Ohio Sheriff:
You are responsible for your deputy and everything he does and everything he neglects to do. So, please don’t pin it on him. When a deputy “goes in your stead” it is as if you are going yourself. Please own up to this. YOU are responsible. YOu are the sheriff. It is your department. Everything that happens on YOUR WATCH is your fault. Including this. This is gutless backtracking.
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muffythetuffy
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:26amTHAT UNARMED LADY IS LUCKY THEY DIDN’T SHOOT HER IN THE HEAD
Maybe they didn’t shoot her was that she is not mentally retarded.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:31amRural Ohio sheriffs and deputies are not wont to shoot people in the head. This isn’t New York.
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JRook
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:41am“Considering the “smart meter” controversy focuses on personal rights, we thought it appropriate to ask about another personal rights controversy: gun control.” Since GB and the staff here always speak of transparency i think it is appropriate to ask about their deal with the NRA. GB speaking fees at the national convention, any advertising dollars being received or other support related income.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:49amNon-sequitur much, Jrook?
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IndyGuy
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:53amHey Rookie….What the hell does any of that matter???……
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M13
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:00amIt doesn’t matter. Jrook just lies all of the time.
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klopnuts
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:19pmi will defend the sheriff on this point. every deputy cannot do EXACTLY what the sheriff would do. they are doing what they think is right.
and i live in sammys county and i dont trust him and didnt vote for him.
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Blazen420
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:10amThere was no reason to arrest her. If she refused the meter, the power company should have shut the power down. There was no reason to involve law enforcement to begin with. When the smart meters come here, we’re going off the grid.
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SacredHonor1776
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:23amCutting of her power could apparently kill her. She is attacked to medical equipment that breaths for her while she sleeps.
She is also worried that smart meter will interact negatively with her equipment.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:24amI agree with that. Turn off the power, then sue for the value of the meter she currently has, or compel her to have it turned over via court order.
Beck is way out in left field on this one, and he has no idea that he’s wrong about these scenarios. He’s picking a battle at the wrong time about the wrong thing (per my comments in my post down on this thread).
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SacredHonor1776
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:30am“I agree with that. Turn off the power, then sue for the value of the meter she currently has, or compel her to have it turned over via court order.”
She told them they could to take the old meter, she just didn’t want them to put in the new meter.
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SacredHonor1776
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:35amOf course this is stuck on a ‘she said’/'he said’ matter! LOL.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:36amGreat. I think she’s working on fear and ignorance, but that’s her right.
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Walkabout
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:49amAs soon as I can get off the grid I will.
Between Geothermal, solar, and hydro I think many people living beyond the city limits can get off the grid. Many are on well water & propane now. If they got rid of the propane with renewables then they will totally be off the grid.
I always watch developments in solar power. But unlike the libt_rds I don’t try to push it before its’ time. Of course how many in the environmental movement have tech degrees or good sense?
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rolla020980
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:09amThe power company owns your meter and access rights to your property to read, maintain, or replace the meter on your house. You do not have the right to stop them. The access rights are part of the terms of service and you agreed to this when you started the electric service to your home (some areas have access rights laws too). If you make an agreement with the power company that they can come onto your property as part of the terms of service and then deny them access, then they can deny you service. It is that simple.
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13th Imam
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:06amSounds like a good man, brought into a situation after it has started and escalated. As for her harassment of utility workers for trimming trees , she was wrong. They were just at my house in CT where this is a major problem, limbs touching the lines and arc’s were clearly visible during the last couple of light (38″) snow falls.Anyone know the private property laws in her state?
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:11amYes, I live in Ohio.
The meter is the private property of the power company. Always has been, this is not something new or sinister.
The meter being installed only allows remote reading of the meter from a passing vehicle of the power company. It’s not a “smart meter” aka one that can turn your appliances on and off or set your thermostat.
Glenn is confirming a lot of outsider’s views that he’s a panic inducing person who gins up fear. He needs to research what these meters being installed right now are, and he’ll realize that they are not the things he’s against. And frankly, so do most people here. Research this, people, think for yourselves.
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13th Imam
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:20amGhost, Tks for the info. An in depth article on smart meters, All different grades of SM ‘ers would be informative.
And the other day you labeled me racist for that Indian ancestry article and I couldn’t tell why. Sarcasm perhaps?
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:25amI think I was reading your post wrong, my bad.
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AxelPhantom
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:38amOne of the fires in Texas last year, the one in Steiner Ranch that caused an evacuation of the entire neighborhood, was caused by a tree coming in contact with a transformer. Cutting back trees is a necessary thing and yes, they look pretty sad until they branch out the next spring, but it is something that when not done, can cause a lot of people a lot of grief and losing power from the trees is one of the milder results. .
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00100111
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:42amI didn’t even know this was just a Walk By / Drive By meter. This is even less of a “smart meter”. It’s just a digital meter with a low power radio that can only be read by a passing utility vehicle with the required handheld device so meter readers don’t have to go traipsing around your backyard. There’s less RF emitted from WB/DB devices than from a cell phone or WiFi router, and only read once a month. This lady freaked over nothing. People really need to do more research about that which they’re afraid of, and stop getting their information from Glenn Beck. His job is keep you listening, he does that by scaring you. “Tune in tomorrow for more details!” “Watch my show tonight for SHOCKING stories!”. He has good information sometimes, but ya gotta keep it in perspective. He’s primarily an entertainer.
I don’t approve of the actions of the Sheriff’s dept, but if she’d informed herself better this never would have been an issue.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:44am@Axel
Yeah, exactly correct. The folks come out with shotguns to scare off the tree cutters, then when their power goes out because their own tree breaks the line in a storm, they scream at how irresponsible the power company is. Sometimes you just can’t win with folks.
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00100111
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:52amAn in depth article NOT WRITTEN BY THE BLAZE would be good. I work in this industry in R&D, I know all about them. Reading the tin foil stories on here and some of the comments make me bang my head on the desk. They’re not capable of what people think they’re capable of. Maybe in the future, I don’t know. If govt ever decided to start using them for their purposes I’d resign immediately and actively work against them, but as of right now it’s just remote reading and very limited two way communications/functions. Remote reads, remote connect/disconnect, very limited load control and demand response if such load shedding devices are installed in your home. DR is primarily for commercial and industrial customers. Homeowners can opt in to TOU programs, but it requires a lot of installation and programming, it can’t be done without your knowledge.
As I said in previous comment, I don’t approve of the behavior of “law enforcement” in these situations, it could be handled better.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:56am@00100111
Exactly correct. I understand not knowing what these things are, I had to be educated about them myself. But to persist in ignorance is a bit silly. And Beck has a lot of resources that could be put into doing some basic research so that he stops leading people down the fear path over this. When the time comes for real “smart meters”, that’s the time to plant the feet firmly on the ground and say “No”. Now? It’s panic over nothing, which is causing people to get arrested.
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AdmiralQ
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:03amTHe SHeiff should give a tongue lashing to the deputy and should now request to be notified when anything happens to MS Hawk
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Augydoggy
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:02amThe lady is a ding bat, 51-50. Look at her history. I hope they have removed all the BB guns and other weapons from her home. She clearly – Clearly represents a danger to others. She brought all this upon herself and now she want everyone to say ” Oh this poor woman” You can’t fix stupid.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:02amI think Glenn is really going overboard on the ‘smart meter’ thing. What is being installed now are not devices that can, even with rigging, control anything in your home. All they are, simply put, are devices that enable meter readers to read meters without coming into your yard. That makes them more efficient, and results in your bill going down. In order for a meter to be able to affect your appliances (turn them on or off), your appliances and/or switch box would need to be drastically altered to something resembling home automation (think X10), which is not what is going on.
Real “smart meters” are bad news, and I’m against them. But these, are not those. If Glenn would take ten seconds to educate himself with an electrician on our side he’d probably quietly retract these stories and stop making a fool of himself. He’s panicking people for no good reason about a boogey man that is not actually present.
End of the day, the meter is the property of the electric company. They do have the right to change it as they wish. If you don’t want them on your land, that is your right too, but realize that they have no obligation to continue service to you whatsoever in that case. This is the wrong battle at the wrong time. Wait until they start trying to install actual real, appliance controlling “smart meters” and demand access to your interior to configure your panel (which you own, not them), then you should start the protests. Educate yourself
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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:13amThis meter may or may not be the type that can alter your energy usage,if it isn’t it’s definitely the camel’s nose inside the tent.
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PlagueoftheProgs
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:20amThanks for the information. I have been doing my own homework on these things and there is some concern with even these but I am still piling through the various studies. I had concerns when my co-op installed these type of meters, and talked with a buddy who is an electrician who didn’t seem overtly concerned with the type that we have now.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:21amIt’s not. There is no meter that can alter your electricity usage that is being installed. Again, you would need to alter your switch box inside the home to make that happen, and to do what Beck says, you’d further need to vastly alter the thermostat to work with the meter. I was very concerned about this stuff and was given a very detailed lesson from libertarians I know who are electricians and who work for power companies on what these are, and they are NOT the ‘smart meter’ that Beck thinks is going on right now. Yes, real “smart meters” probably exist in labs, but you would need somebody in your home, inside, to change things to make it work. A meter only measures electricity as it passes from the line into your home. Nothing more. This isn’t even a “camel’s nose in the tent”, it’s a standard meter upgrade, the kind that’s been going on for nearly a century. This allows remote reading by the power company. It’s a good thing. Beck is panicking people over the wrong thing. He’s not researching.
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redonred
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:24amIn this case it has to do with the electrical output and medical conditions. I understand what you are saying and agree. I have a medical issue and this meter would effect my health. Heck the regular one already gives me problems. I stay away from the room it backs up to. It has also affected my kids. The house we moved from has the meter in an area less traffic’d. This house has the meter on the wall behind a bedroom. It sucks for me because I was so excited to have a house with a yard for my kids it went unnoticed. No I do not want one for medical reasons, thats all.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:30am@Red
I’m not entirely certain on the medical issues topic (meaning, I don’t have any research to know one way or the other). I do wonder though, if a simple WiFi type transmitter (basically what is in the new meters) causes issues, then so would any other WiFi router, including the neighbors who have WiFi routers. But again, not something I’m versed in, so I don’t know.
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e7705
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:53amPrivacy Issues
The ease of wireless communication can come at a big price for the customer. All of your private energy use data can be intercepted by hackers as it hops from one Smart Meter to the next as it makes its way to the utility. A customer could be hacked and neither the utility nor the customer would be the wiser. And if the utility can remotely turn off the power to your house so may a clever hacker who decides to target you. Meanwhile your private energy use information is collected by the utility which has no law preventing them from selling it to interested third parties without your knowledge or consent. And it is not just the individual customer who is at risk. The Smart Grid overall will have millions of potential entry points, with different generations of Smart Meters, with varying maintenance practices, and unknown levels of security.
Health Issues
Another downside to Smart Meter wireless communications is the massive amount of new microwave radiation that will be introduced into the environment. People are already suffering with electromagnetic hypersensitivity from existing wireless devices such as cell phones and Wi-Fi. Non-industry compensated doctors, engineers and other professionals are alerting us to the dangers of these emissions.
http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/opinion/slaying-the-smart-meter-dragon/article_7a39f749-44f6-5553-aad3-08904df053f9.html
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:01am@E77
If wireless were killing us, we’d already know it.
Second, what information do you think will be leaked that is so privacy oriented? The amount of KwH that you used that month? Really? You’re going to the mat for that? Seriously?
At some point people need to stop being so damned easy to startle and panic and start engaging their minds. Fear sells, but it shouldn’t be a product attached to every single topic. If you think WiFi is going to kill us all, I highly recommend heading out into the mountains of Utah and building a faraday cage around your home, as otherwise, you’re toast.
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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:02am@E77
And the power company can already shut off power to your house. You do know that right?
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00100111
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:04amE77, as someone who works in this industry, I know the encryption they use. Good luck to a hacker trying to hack it. I can give no details, as it is proprietary, but seriously…good luck hacking it.
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AxelPhantom
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:26amIf your concern is a sensitivity to EMF’s don’t buy a house in an area with overhead power lines.
http://www.emfs.info/Sources+of+EMFs/Overhead+power+lines/
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Exiledhunter_6
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:34pm@GHOSTOFJEFFERSON & @00100111
Really, you think it’s that hard to break your encryption key? Anonymous has been breaking encryption keys all over the spectrum, please note that’s what a hacker does, they break things in order to gain access. The most likely thing they would do is break into your crappy companies server and still the key from there and then do what they want with smart meters. But really it’s a mute point, because you would have to be someone of interest to really get their attention, it takes time and resources to break a good encryption key.
Privacy concern are very really thing Ghost, I mean really if your OK with everyone knowing what your Kwh usage is, then by all means let them sell your information. I personally don’t want them selling my information and I would demand a privacy clause be attached to the installation of said smart meter. As for who would want that information, well lets think for just a minute here. If I were a appliance dealer, that would useful information for me to target people with high KwH usage, and send them ads featuring all sorts of “energy” efficient appliance, or a solar company, and so on. What you think your name and address won’t be include with said information? You’d be wrong. As for your magic theory and complex setup, with most of our devices becoming wireless, you think it’s a stretch for them to be able to turn your devices on and off at will, again you would be wrong, it’s no more complicated than
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woodyee
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:01amDang! It’s nearly 7AM PST – I hope I didn’t miss the interview!
Well, this story explains why the deputy stated he was there to protect the meter guy, but it doesn’t mollify his poor judgement; he not only insulted the elderly lady, but then condoned having her power cut off (he did nothing to prevent it).
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gyro
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:53amGreat fallow up that adds to the story !
Blaze is getting better
now if it would just take up the fight to protect women and children more
Fight to protect the weak from evil Blaze
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21522919
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woodyee
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:03amWE have to do that, GYRO. If you look down your country lane, or across the street, your bound to find at least one set of parents who have NO IDEA of the abuse and indoctrination their children are enduring in school.
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gyro
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:45amWoodyee the attack on women has been going on for thousands of years BUT now is the time in history for change
Never before in history can we know about this asross the world
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21428377
It is now and a orginization like the Blaze can lead the fight agains Evil
remember the evil people pick on children and women because it is easy
no one rapes armed men right?
Cowards they are
Step up Blaze put a staffer on this fight !
Sorry for the rant Woodyee
:)
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