New Mobile Van Security X-Ray Technology Raises Privacy Questions
- Posted on September 27, 2010 at 8:35pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Modern technology may be working to keep us safe, but many wonder where the line between safety and privacy lands these days. New technology allows airport security screeners to peak under your clothes and the same x-ray technology is being used by new roving vehicles looking through the exteriors of vehicles and buildings. American Science & Engineering, a company based in Billerica, Mass., has reportedly sold U.S. and foreign government agencies hundreds of these backscatter x-ray scanners mounted in mobile vans.
While the biggest buyer of AS&E’s machines over the last seven years has been the Department of Defense for security operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Joe Reiss, the company’s vice president of marketing, reports to Forbes that law enforcement agencies have also used the vehicles to investigate terrorist threats within the U.S.
The Z Backscatter Vans, or ZBVs, as the company calls them, bounce a narrow stream of x-rays off and through nearby objects, and read which ones come back. Absorbed rays indicate dense material such as steel. Scattered rays indicate less-dense objects that can include explosives, drugs, or human bodies. That capability makes them powerful tools for security, law enforcement, and border control.
As Forbes‘ Andy Greenberg notes, this is the same technology that has privacy advocates challenging the use of full-body scanners in the nation’s airports.
On his radio program this morning, conservative host Glenn Beck spoke with Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, about the privacy implications of this developing technology and government’s role in utilizing it:
As a lawmaker on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I’ve been trying to get the administration, I‘ve been trying to get the company to tell me who’s buying these vans? What are you doing with these vans? There are some legitimate uses. I mean, if you’re going to inspect cargo coming out of a port, I buy that. [...]
I want us to be as safe and secure as possible, but I’m not willing to give up every bit of liberty that I have. And I fundamentally at my core just don’t trust the federal government. They have been elusive — and I’m being generous — elusive in their answers to my questions. … They will not confirm whether they’re just using them at the ports or just overseas. …
Click here to watch the full conversation (via RightScoop).
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Comments (103)
Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 5:04amMaybe that’s why they got rid of the lead based paint?, not just because the liberals were eating it. Semper Fi.
Report Post »barnbaby
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:29amWon’t be long before Anthony Sullivan will be hawking personal X-Ray detectors on TV. “Buy one for the unbelievably low price of only $19.95, and, if you call within the next 20 minutes, we’ll include a second unit (a $500.00 value) absolutely FREE.
Report Post »malriqi
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:52amGood point. Similar to binoculars and distant sound recorders. (http://www.vedosoft.com/img/parabolic-devices.jpg). If this is made available to the public at least technology in cars, clothing, and walls would become available to counter it. And if its true about those who live in glass houses shouldn‘t throw stones we’ll find out.
Report Post »Elura cookoo girl
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:25amI actually don;t mind this so much. i would feel invasion of privacy if they could see through my clothes as I walk down the street. But they’re just checking for explosives and weapons, and other illegal things people drive with. It should be harder to blow up cars and building now, which is a good thing.
Report Post »barnbaby
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:10amCan you imagine the level of X-Ray energy required to image a vehicle made of steel? I wouldn’t want to be in that van without wearing lead drawers.
Report Post »malriqi
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 1:46amWhen the US government eventually makes owning any kind of gun illegal or at least requiring citizens to register their great granddad’s deer rifle, this vehicle will be very helpful in rounding those criminals up who neglected to report it. Then they can make lethal looking knives illegal, again, easier to round those criminals up. They‘ll be able to see the knife you keep under the driver’s seat of your car. After that clubs. “Oh your kids play baseball huh? so why is it beside your bed at night?”. Steal shank in your shoe, why would you need that, you have an office job, must be for malicious reasons, round em up. Did you ever think you’d have to remove your shoes, belt, and jewelry to fly on an airplane? I bought a slingshot for my 7 year old and accidentally left it in my carry on at the airport. I was taken aside and questioned thoroughly by security. Will this apply on the street next? “Excuse me sir, is that a sling shot in your pocket?“ ”No I’m just happy to see you!” Nah, it’ll be outlawed in the store first, or maybe not. Point is, use it in Iraq or Afghanistan all you want. I don’t live there and keep my friends out of danger. Stay out of my business here. Even the advert leads one to believe this machine is so simple any idiot can use it and they will. Gotta cut cost, don’t hire the college grad to drive it, hire the kid who dropped out of high school for minimum wage and loves porn. Either one doesn’t matter they both probably like porn and you can be the star. These machines being used on our citizens is evil. The only good thing I can see from this machine being used on American citizens is that it will eliminate the pressure of being a citizen spy. you know, they one that reports you having excess food stored in the walls of your home when the bread lines start.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 1:11am“You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.”
- Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief, Imperial Japanese Navy, circa World War II
This is significantly more true today. This is why America will never be invaded by a foreign force and why America will never be invaded by our own American military force. This talk of martial law, detention camps, black U.N helicopters, dark windowed SUV trucks, this rumor of a military coup by Barack Obama and left liberals, all of this is mule manure.
America can never be conquered from without nor from within. Americans are an armed forced, a determined armed force which can never be defeated short of complete annihilation of every living thing on earth.
For those who believe our military girls and boys will turn on us, I will be succinct; you are nuts.
This crazy talk is giving a bad name to all conservatives. I do not like this.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Mastermagi
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 8:36amYou know, I thought that too – until a retired army friend reminded me that it only took one guy with some military technology to take out my neighborhood. One more guy can flatten another, etc. Two of my brothers are career military, so I have a special fondness for that type. However, how many like the Ft. Hood shooter are there? How many neighborhoods can be taken out?
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 1:15pmMASTER MAGI warns, “…a retired army friend reminded me that it only took one guy with some military technology to take out my neighborhood.”
Did you know an arrow shot from a bow will pass through most kevlar body armor like a knife through warm butter? Leg wound is better, though. A serious leg wound removes two or three soldiers from combat who typically lag behind only to be picked off one at a time.
MASTER MAGI asks, “how many like the Ft. Hood shooter are there?”
Very few. We can only guess. My guess would be one out of a hundred-thousand soldiers. I think this guess of mine is on the high side. Probably more like one in a quarter of a million.
Your concept of taking out neighborhoods one at time is only successful if there is no police response, such as a heavily armed swat team. However, an ornery grandma shooting a 12 gauge shotgun from her front porch can be as effective as a twelve man swat team.
“Tarnations! Will ya look at that! I done blew the fool’s head clean off! Yes, ma’am, I surely did.”
Current estimates are about half of American families own one or more guns. This would be a civilian military of roughly 60-million to 80-million well armed civilians. Then there are civilian militia forces scattered all across America. Only nuclear weapons could take out a civilian military of this size. Would not be much left worth conquering.
All of this is overshadowed by a critically important notion. This notion is our military girls and boys would refuse to open fire on American citizens. Commanding officers would be shot dead first, then those of Capitol Hill and finally our president.
Chance of a successful military coup in America is zero.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Thunderstorm 316
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:56pmMaby this is what Obama meant when he said “TRANSPARENCY”
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:55pmLike we didn’t see one of these on I5 the other day, Lord knows that they are not down on the southren border!
Really, what are we going to do, let the air out of the big white trucks tires?
Or spray paint “commie pinko” on the side in really big letters?
Its all about adding up the “facts” folks, pray we woke up in time, seriously!
FACTS>
Drone flyovers “officially ”allowed
Exutive directive 51
really intrusive x-ray trucks
a congress that doesn’t give a rats behind what we tell them to do
a president who is openly anti_AMerican by supporting socialism
stockpiles of “UN” type vehicles in Texas and Nevada
UN vehicles seen in just about every major American city in the last year
10 FEMA security zones established during “marxist (marshal) law, constitutional government suspended for six months minimum
over 800 FEMA “CAMPS” nationally, stocked and staffed, as of yet empty, the one near Fairbanks Alaska can hold 250, 000 detainees?
Too many coincidences folks, be PEACEFULL, Don’t overreact ot anything, as wise as serpents but harmless as doves. Don’t give them any reasons, then when we’ve taken back our government by electorial process we can then call in the accounts.
Report Post »doninwash
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:40pmWhy is this not a search and seizure subject to the requirement that a warrant be issued by a judge before the search can occur? Where is our US Attorney in the protection of us as US citizens? I think if one could determine that this has happened it would constitute a civil rights violation and be subject to a lawsuit against the government.
Report Post »Kaen
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 1:47amOk…lemme explain a few things for everyone. First, these machines are being used at the “Ports of Entry” into the United States. The United States Government has the power of a “Border Search” to conduct warrantless searches of all persons and conveyences entering the United States and within 25 miles of the border. To quote the 4 Circuit Court:
“The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, addressing a challenge to Customs’ authority to search electronic files in United States v. Ickes, held that there is no First Amendment exception to the border search doctrine for expressive materials .[14] The Court based its finding in part on the demands of protecting the nation from terrorist threats that may cross the American border in expressive materials.[15] in its analysis, the Court stated:
The border search doctrine is justified by the longstanding right of the sovereign to protect itself. Particularly in today’s world, national security interests may require uncovering terrorist communications, which are inherently “expressive.” Following Ickes’s logic would create a sanctuary at the border for all expressive material-even for terrorist plans. This would undermine the compelling reasons that lie at the very heart of the border search doctrine.”[16]
Now…as in this reference…they can even search your laptop. These X-ray machines are not being used to drive by your house and peek in your bedrooms. Every Agency that I know that has these require vehicle occupants to get out of the vehicle and away from the X-ray before it’s use.
The key to the decision was: “The border search doctrine is justified by the longstanding right of the sovereign to protect itself.” ALL countries have the sovereign right to protect itself and its citizens.
I am as conservative as they come. I eat, sleep, and dream the Constitution. I have served this country both as a soldier/verteran for 8 years and over 16 years as a federal law enforcement officer. Our men and women in uniform, both military and federal law enforcement go to work every day to “Defend and Uphold the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies foreign and domestic” and these are just one of the tools they use to keep you safe. Could this technology be abused…sure but, don’t count on it. Not all government is bad and out of control…just the socialist/marxist pigs in power now but, that will change.
Report Post »Kaen
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:01amAnd…by the way…these machines were introduced and purchsed under the Bush administration, I know, I was there when it happened, I have used these machines…I have personally seized over 40,000 pounds of narcotics using my canine and these machines…40,000 pound of drugs that didn’t make it into YOUR childrens school yards and playgrounds…you’re welcome. Until there is a socialist/marxist coup, and martial law is declared, these systems won’t be abused so…don’t get a knot in your shorts over it.
Report Post »Kaen
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 2:26amWow…ok, lol…my original post that explained the legality, use and need for these machines was moderated and removed. Let me synopsize: 1st, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Constitutionality in the use of border searches where these machines are used. 2nd, these machines are being used at the “Ports of Entry” into the United States to detect dangerous items (ie…drugs, bombs, illegal immigrants, etc…) being brought across our borders, not driven down your streets to look into your bedrooms. 3rd, the “Border Search Doctrine” allows for warrantless searches of all persons and containers within 25 miles of the United States border, (certain criteria needed when searching away from the immediate border area) with or without these machines…no warrant needed…ever.
Bottom line is…these are good, don’t sweat it.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:33pmWe have very little privacy in fact. It’s interesting to see the comparison between Americans and Germans. They would never allow the level of monitoring we submit to daily. They caught google snagging personal data with “street view” vans and shut that down immediately. If you try to take a photo , use a camera phone in public people get upset. Many stores gave a sign in English forgiving photos.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:59pmOops. Darn spell check. “ FORBIDING photos ”.
Report Post »slp
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:47amEver see the movie “The Lives of Others”? That was Germany. East Germany.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 8:46amYes SLP. Das Leben der Andern was actually filmed around Berlin. Many citizens were STAZI targets and they don’t like having thier privacy intruded upon.
Report Post »Even though they live under Honeker.
tomf
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:43pmSomeone needs to ask what the radiation dosage of the van provides to unsuspecting people and how they are to be notified that they have received a high energy dose of radiant energy. They need to contact the FDA, EPA,and the FCC to see what the dangers are present when these vans operate. The energy output has to be high enough to provide a backscatter effect, and power and affects on people need to be reasearched and documented. Anyone who may have been a target of the van should be notified, and provided warning.
Report Post »RESTORATION1787
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:30pmTime to stock up on geiger counters and iodine!
Report Post »Calibrator2
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:59pmThere is no radiative source in these vans, they use high voltage and an x-ray tube to generate the beam. The radiation levels are way below what you get everyday walking around under the sun. They are suppose to have flashing lights on the vans to indicate when it is on and operating but they also sell a handy delete kit for those fancy flashing lights. The exposure isn’t the issue but the illegal search is.
Report Post »clw4200
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:29pmThey can see in your car and in your house. You have no right to privacy. Don’t worry, a Government would never abuse power. It’s all for your own good.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:00pmThere are satellites up there which can photograph my belly button, in detail, while I nude sunbathe. No problem. Neighbors on nearby hills swing their telescopes over in our direction when our girl and I skinny dip. We put on a good show. No problem. Scanners are available to listen in on cell phone calls, no problem. Airports can look under my clothes, I like this, bit of a cheap thrill knowing others are looking. Might be embarrassing for some macho men to have others learn the truth.
We have Superman over to cop a buzz on kryptonite cocktails, I swear the boy undresses me with his x-ray vision. I like this. Our girl does not bother with clothes, she is in love with Superman. Bothers her daddy a bit when Superman eyeballs him, he does not want to make Superman jealous.
There are many technologies which have the potential to invade our privacy. However, we must weigh benefit against detriment. This portable x-ray technology is saving the lives of many of our military girls and boys fighting our wars. This is good. This technology saves many victims of crime, detects terrorist bombs, discovers drug smuggling and catches a lot of illegals stuffed under car hubcaps. A lot of good is coming of these types of technologies.
Doubtful those technologies are being abused to violate our rights or to take away our freedoms. This type of violation is hard to keep secret; there are always whistle blowers. Almost always those technologies are used by law enforcement and by our military. I trust those folks, trust those out in the field working who are ordinary people like us. Higher ups, well, we are to distrust them.
Most of this is nothing more than people needing to relax a bit. Next time you spot one of those satellites flying over while you are nude sunbathing, smile and reveal, give them something to talk about; those folks have boring jobs sitting around staring at monitor screens all day.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:48pmOkpulot that sounds way to much like common sense.could be dangerous.That common sense
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 3:09amJOSEPH PLUMB MARTIN is sensible, “Okpulot that sounds way to much like common sense….”
Common sense does tend to confound the senseless.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Marylou7
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:40pmNo way do I trust this administration with this type technology.
Report Post »eteme
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:20pmKeep in mind, technology in what you see and what is being developed in always about 15 years behind. Magic is nothing more than advanced technology. For all those who think this is paranoia, the greatest of faults is to be conscious of none. Ignorance usually is bliss. But how blissful has the American people been over the last 4 years?? Humm, time for the ignorant to wise up just a tad.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:53pma quote from my blog
I am not suggesting a tax revolt or un-funding the government. Many of our taxes today are necessary and just, but many more are unjust, immoral and corrupt.
This is the chain that binds you to your master and replaces freedom and liberty with tyranny. Unjust taxes are, if you will remember your history, the reason for the birth of America. This is why YOU are the reason YOU are losing your freedoms. Here is the good news, if YOU are the reason, then YOU are the answer. WE THE PEOPLE are the answer. The question is, HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH???
Report Post »Mom of 4 Future Presidents
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:15pmNot sure if the bathroom will still be private. My company sells security systems with cameras that monitor the inside of your house and the information is available online. The purpose is to monitor your house from your phone or computer. You could keep an eye on the babysitter, etc.You can unlock your doors also through the phone. My question was “What happens if the gov’t or someone else hacks in”. Americans need to wake up now!
Report Post »whitaker
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 1:12amThey want backdoors in the net to allow them easier access.Sure you want that system?
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:15pmJust because u r paranoid, don’t mean they aint out to getch ya!!!
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:36pmBut statements like that make the rest of us Constitutional Conservatives look just silly. You (and I) are NOBODIES. No one cares enough about us to be “out to get us”.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:01pmBROKER, I assure you that your anonymity has nothing to do with whether or not there are many people in the world out to get you. I am pretty sure most of the folks who DIED in the attacks of 9-11 were both “nobodies” and not paranoid. The kids at Virginia Tech who got shot in the face were nobodies until their mortal wounds got their names in the paper. The point is in 2010, there are many people that would gut you like a fish and their reasons are as many as they are. In today’s America a little paranoia can go a long way. Then again maybe it is just the PTSD kickin in, maybe it’s just me.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:04pmBROKER 0101 is reassuring, “You (and I) are NOBODIES. No one cares enough about us to be ‘out to get us’.”
Except for the IRS.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:14pmOkpulot Taha is absolutely correct. The IRS IS watching ALL OF US. That is why I employ a GREAT (former IRS auditor) Tax Accountant and always pay everything that I legally owe – and pay it promptly.
Report Post »Beyond the IRS, don’t get delusions of grandeur (or let them be taught to you – by anyone).
Mastermagi
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 8:30am@broker0101
I’m pretty sure that most of the 100,000,000 people who were killed in the last century by regimes such as Obama’s were nobodies, too.
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:15am@Broker0101 the left is watching more than you think.
I was looking at the visitors to my blog one day and traced one of the visitors to the home of a powerful leftist philanthropist in the Washington DC area. This was on the same weekend where the leftists all got together and decided to keep an eye on Glenn Beck fans to see how they behave.
Report Post »Waiting4George
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:12pmI expect Lead to go through the roof–and onto the walls…
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:16pmProbably the reason they were trying to get EPA to issue regulations against using lead for any thing.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:21pmI have long said LEAD is the most precious metal of all, but I meant bullets.
Tate
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:11pmI have nothing to hide, but they have no right to look. Where are the LIBS that none stop Bitched about Bush and I agreed with them. We are losing so many rights one day you will wake up and be very sorry.
WAKE UP AMERICA!
Report Post »eteme
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:08pmJust imagine the cancer rate over the next 20 years. X-rays all over the place. you can roll by anyone’s home or perhaps fly over thier home and check in on what is going on…humm..sounds like old fashist hat to me! Fantastic!
Report Post »keepemhonest
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:06pmmust say I have to agree with UHADENOUGHYET.COM. The Left went crazy just thinking about President Bush wanting to check back packs and bags in NY subways. Intercepting cell phone calls from outside the US from known terrorists was an invasion of privacy, yet a van driving around town throwing x-rays through walls of private citizens homes and businesses appears to be supported by today’s progressives. Sure glad the internet is safe from Govt. intrusion.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:03pmI’ll gladly take some heat here for pointing out that Glenn Beck does tended to stray into wild-eyed-paranoia-land. He repeatedly implied that his “outing” of Van Jones was putting his family and himself in physical danger. I suspect these “mysterious vans” may be another trip down that odd little path.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:09pmR U serious? Have you not lived long enough to see the capability for violence among men? Good luck with that! “Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean they are not out to get you”.
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:15pmEvidently you are stupid as a box of radical rocks. Beck tripple checks every item and verifies through independent means. He know people like you are always tring to find him making a mistake to discredit him. Well he has been on Fox for alomst 18 months doing 5 shows a week and you lefties have not been able to discredit him. The red phone is stiil there and working.
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:16pmHow do you know that Beck‘s commentary on Van Jones didn’t put him in harm’s way? I don’t doubt for one minute that Beck & his family were and are in danger. All you have to do is read the progressive playbook written by their ‘hero’ to know that they believe the ends justify the means. It is a stretch to believe that the very person calling for a revolution (Jones) and his supporters wouldn’t stoop to violence. THEY ADVOCATE IT!
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:17pmI’m serious as a lobotomy. If you require and on-air arbiter of pragmatic wisdom, I highly recommend Rush Limbaugh. Glenn is a little whacky with a growing messianic complex.
Report Post »And, since you asked, I am intimately familiar with the capability for violence among men. I’m only trained properly on one side of that equation, however.
broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:19pmOLDTIMER, Lighten up, Francis. I‘m afraid you’re just going to have to live with my (fairly benign) criticism of Mr. Beck.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:45pmDRESSS, The reason I am certain that Glenn Beck nor his family were ever in any danger for his reporting on Van Jones is that, outside the world of The Blaze, Fox News and talk radio (all of which I am a fervent follower of myself), Glenn Beck is an easily dismissed “radical right-wing-whacko-nobody” by the Mainstream Media (who, collectively and sadly, still provide the “news” to the majority of Americans). To do Mr. Beck or his family physical harm would be a counter-productive waste of time for the radical Left. They aren’t very smart, but they are smart enough to know this very fact.
Report Post »RESTORATION1787
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:08pmHad this technology been available in WWII, A lot of family trees would be left in a barren forest!
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:37pm@broker0101
Report Post »Your usually on the ball but this time I think you have missed the mark. I use to see a lot of what seemed like paranoia in Beck’s shows but after so much of his “paranoia” turning out to be correct I have to seriously consider everything he says.
Buck Bagaw
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:06amIf you knew what you were talking about you might know what you were talking about. Thou art but a puff of gastric vapor upon the wind.
Report Post »V-Forge
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:54amYou think he is in no danger? Liberals always kill. They always resort to murder when backed into a corner. These are people that talk about sterilizing the population. There will be camps, They did that twice. What? Do you think they were happy places where we watched over the Japanese inmates for their own safety? I assume that when their doors were kicked in they had time to grab the baby formula and all their medications too. Do you really not understand the level of brutality that these monsters sink too at the first sign of fear? This leftist trash has talked about re-education camps as a last chance before mass graves for 25 million people. Those 25 million are slated to be killed because of their political beliefs and you think that one man might not be worth it for them. Beck is going blind and losing the feeling in his hands. Easy stuff for a man that wants to sterilize millions. Their agenda if far more important than the ife of one man or any perceived set of morals that might keep them from bringing out the knives in the dark of night. ANY villainy is acceptable to these people. Learn to see that or they WILL come for you too eventually. They already know how deep the dig the ditch they will bury your family in. This is not an argument over “Tastes great or less filling” it’s do it their way or you will be subjugated and or killed in the end. You don’t get to walk away and hope for better luck next election. Lose this one and they win.
Report Post »JimConstitution
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 11:43amv-forge, i think ur right, lets not over look a million babies thrown in to the hazardous wast bins yearly. all because of a wild night of smoking and drinking and a baby pays for it with its life, death is in the libs genes. of course, we are nothing but a group set of cells evolved from slime and dinosaur poop, right? humanism leds to ungodliness which leds to death.
i am pro-choice, we should ask an 18yr old fetus of incest or rape or wild fun if it wants to continue to live. conversely, dont ask, just get a hammer and chase it around the room. when cornered hold its feet and flip it over, use the hammer and vacuum its brains into a nearby bucket.
horrible you say? yeah, well thats the point. fortunately the righteous will see them.
Report Post »RESTORATION1787
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:00pmIf this keeps up, America will look the old U.S.S.R. where people had to use the bathrooms for conversation in order to keep the KGB at bay. This is Governmental power gone awry. This is even more of Constitutional rights being shredded. The only privacy Americans may end up with is the bathroom.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:43pmWith this technology you have privacy NOWHERE. Unless, of course, you intend to build a home of lead. People at NASA have used this technology to count the change in a man’s pocket. Conversation can be heard, isolated and recorded from Earth’s orbit. And I really wish I was exaggerating.
Report Post »RESTORATION1787
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:05pmI was only stating how dangerous this is for Freedom and Liberty.
Report Post »V-Forge
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:15amwell it’s a clear and present danger to the population. Am i the only guy that notices the safety measures used when making x-rays at the hospital or the dentist. But Obama just decided it’s ok to blast you with radiation to check your car or house? If it can see through a wall or a car door it’s got to be worse than just a dental x-ray. How far is too far America? The man is writing assassination orders and now blasting us with x-rays. See you in november, if we all make it there with no tumors.
Report Post »DaddyKev
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 9:01amVForge, that’s the first thing that popped in my head. Repetitive X-Ray radiation exposure would eventually cause cancer, right? This is wrong on so many levels.
Report Post »zarcondeegrissom
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 8:50pmV-Forge, yes as was my first thought when it was mentioned on Glenn’s radio show. Perhaps we can force the left to use there Health-care option against them. Repeated exposure to these X-ray platforms could potentially cause the possibility of Health-care costs to increase. lol
Seriously, what are the side effects not just to people and animals, what of our property? Dose X-rays cause permanent damage to hard-drives, computer chips, Pace-makers, Blood-sugar measurement devices, etc? Cellphones and radios are not allowed in Mainframe centers, should these X-ray devices be on the list as well? is this a passive device, or a x-ray emitter?
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 8:59pm“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:19pmAmen.
Report Post »ILFarmer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:28pmBen Franklin, you’re one smart nugget!
Along the lines of the topic, Anyone want to start Flagging these vans? For once twitter can be used in a constructive way =P
Report Post »Or you can start actually putting a bright flag on them so everyone will know what they are and what they represent.
Or spot weld something to the side while they are stopped at a light or out for a bathroom break? They make portable welders now that would make it easy to do and hard to remove quickly.
TAKEITBACK
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:12amTrue!
Report Post »ConservativeFeminist
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 11:58amImagine if this technology was handed to Google for even more data gathered & cataloged by their “street view” trucks.
Report Post »Geo Buds Old Lady
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 5:02pmI want our Government to do what ever it takes to keep us safe and I don’t want to know what they have to do to get that job done. So they can x-ray away and waterboard (and whatever other method is needed) all they want!
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:45pmWow I am shocked by some of these replies, you quote is absolutely right. I can not believe how cheap our freedom has become :(
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 8:52pmJust another example of how our countrymen and women on the left are hypocrites. They would be up in arms all over the media about this story if a republican was the president, but solely because BHO is commander in chief they will withhold their criticisms. Left leaning politicians will say anything they think their supporters want to hear to get elected or maintain power, even when the position is in direct opposition to their own ideology or activities.
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 9:09pmSome one needs to start a tracking and reporting site like Speed trap dot com
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:17pmThis is a direct result of the Patriot Act, where were you guys when that liberty crushing legislation was passed, by the way another bill which no one read. Oh yeah thats right your were for it and those that opposed it were aiding the terrorists and hated America.
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 10:51pmI say we chip together and drive by ALL elected officials homes and hotel rooms at Beddy-Bye time. You never what we will come up with. ;)
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Report Post »Calibrator2
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:54pmI worked on these in Iraq, the other thing these things can do and no one is mentioning is scan people. It is highly effective at doing it. This is not a complicated device but it can measure for radiation, scan vehicles and buildings (limited distance, won’t be able to scan a house from the road) but parked cars, people on the sidewalk, crowds it could do very easily and has been doing it for sometime in a war zone and also on the border. I believe using this on a parked car or on people constitutes an illegal search, but there are many things I would consider what the gov’t is doing as illegal but they do it anyway.
Report Post »Calibrator2
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:22amI also forgot to say, the DHS is also buying and using Predator drones for surveillance but why would a federal gov’t entity need a drone platform that can carry ordinance and has been highly effective against terrorist overseas? If they are interested in surveillance why then aren’t they using RQ (recon only) classed platforms vs an MQ (Multi Platform i.e. ordinance capable) classed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 12:46amNot all Conspiracies are theories … RUBICON.
anOpinion
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 4:49amThis will probably open up a new market for X-ray detectors; maybe built into cell phones or something you carry with you most of the time.
Report Post »BlueStrat
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 5:13am@Calibrator2
“If they are interested in surveillance why then aren’t they using RQ (recon only) classed platforms vs an MQ (Multi Platform i.e. ordinance capable) classed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”
Insurance in case election fraud doesn’t work?
Now that I’m hearing of this, and since I’m an electronics engineer (worked in the aerospace & defense industries for decades) and firearms owner, I’m considering working on designing/building an IR laser-based sighting system that can be fitted in the field to standard non-military semi-auto high-velocity long-guns, making them capable of automatically calculating a target’s relative speed/distance and superimposing an aim-point for proper lead-distance & elevation for targets moving at slow to medium speeds and short to medium distances (or altitudes) such as would be the case with these drones in an urban setting.
How well would a Predator fly after a dozen or so 30.06AP rounds shred the innards? Not well or for long is my guess.
Strat
Report Post »30moves
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 6:48amI agree – but what will they say when a conservative is in power?
Report Post »jchrzo109
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 11:11pmIf you aren’t doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide. If they track myself or anyone I associate with we would have nothing to worry about. We all know the left are hypocrits but when they are finally doing something right just let them be because it doesnt happen often. They can be hypocrits all they want as long as its in our favor.
Report Post »BlueStrat
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 7:39am@JCHRZO109
“If you aren’t doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide.”
I’m sure many Jews in 1939 Germany felt the same way. Didn’t work out all that well for them, as I recall.
Strat
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:33pm@ JCHRZO109… Are you kidding me right now?? I don’t want ANYONE having this much power over me!! My two uncles fought in WWII to protect our feedom and for what? So that we could just hand it over for nothing? Is the blood of our soldiers worth anything to us? We could have surrendered a long time ago and saved them the trouble of war.
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