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Space-Based Domestic Spying: Kicking Civil Liberties to the Curb
- Text size
Tom Burghardt
Antifascist Calling
November 10, 2008
Last month, I reported that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) space-based domestic spy program run by that agency’s National Applications Office (NAO) had gone live October 1.
Federal Computer Week reports that Charles Allen, DHS’ Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis, told the 5th annual GEOINT Symposium on geospatial intelligence in Nashville late last month that, "DHS’ imagery requirements are significantly greater, in number and scope, than they were at the department’s creation, and will continue to grow at an accelerating rate as the department’s mission-space evolves."
Indeed during Hurricane Ike, U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the first time flew the Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle in "support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s relief efforts," the insider tech publication reported.
As readers are well aware, the Predator B carries out "targeted assassinations" of "terrorist suspects" across Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. The deployment of the robotic killing machines in the United States for "disaster management" is troubling to say the least and a harbinger of things to come.
Despite objections by Congress and civil liberties groups DHS, in close collaboration with the ultra-spooky National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the agency that develops and maintains America’s fleet of military spy satellites, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) that analyzes military imagery and generates mapping tools, are proceeding with the first phase of the controversial domestic spying program.
NAO will coordinate how domestic law enforcement and "disaster relief" agencies such as FEMA will use satellite imagery intelligence (IMINT) generated by military spy satellites. As I wrote earlier this year, unlike commercial satellites, their military cousins are far more flexible, have greater resolution and therefore possess more power to monitor human activity.
Testifying before the House Homeland Security committee in September, Barry Steinhardt, Director of the ACLU’s Technology and Liberty Project, called for a moratorium on the domestic use of military spy satellites until key questions were answered. Steinhardt said, "Congress needs to act before this potentially powerful surveillance tool is turned inward upon the American people. The domestic use of spy satellites represents a potential monster in the making, and we need to put some restraints in place before it grows into something that will trample Americans’ privacy rights."
Needless to say, a feckless Congress has done virtually nothing to halt the program. As The Wall Street Journal reported in early October, Congress’ "partial funding" of the office "in a little debated $634 billion spending measure," means that NAO is now providing federal, state and local officials "with extensive access to spy-satellite imagery."
Allen told the GEOINT Symposium that while "geospatial efforts are being coordinated across agencies," technical hurdles must be overcome in order to improve geospatial IT applications. Federal Computer Week avers,
For developing future satellite imagery capabilities, Allen recommended diversity, availability, survivability and flexibility for future systems in a satellite and modular payload system similar to what was advised by the Marino Report in July 2007 to the director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
"It describes an architecture that allows for short time between launch as well as an option for variable modalities. This kind of diversity is what I believe will be necessary to assure adequate collection of a wide array of targets," Allen said. (Alice Lipowicz, "Geospatial Intelligence Use Grows at DHS, Official Says," Federal Computer Week, October 30, 2008)
What those "variable modalities" are were not spelled out by Federal Computer Week. However, the Marino Report was released by Chesapeake Analytics Corporation, an under-the-radar Arlington, Virginia-based private defense contractor that describes itself "as a ’boutique’ consulting firm" for senior executives "in the geospatial technology sector." The report itself was written by Defense Group Inc. (DGI), a spooky Falls Church, Virginia defense contractor for NRO and NGA. According to their website, DGI "customers" include the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and "numerous Intelligence Agencies."
As we have seen however, the use of satellite imagery during "national security events" such as last summer’s political conventions in Denver and St. Paul may have aided FBI and local law enforcement in their preemptive raids on protest organizers and subsequent squelching of dissent. One wonders if this is what DGI refers to when they write that the company "performs work in the national interest, advancing public safety and national security through innovative research, analysis and applied technology"?
NAO’s launch is all the more troubling since an independent review of the program by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the department has been less than forthcoming that NAO complies with privacy laws and doesn’t violate the Posse Comitatus Act.
The 1878 law prohibits the military from playing a role in domestic law enforcement. Since the 1990s however, Posse Comitatus has been eroded significantly by both Democratic and Republican administrations, primarily in the areas of "drug interdiction," "border security" as well as "Continuity of Government" planning by U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).
Despite objections by GAO auditors DHS securocrats held up the release of their 60-page report, citing its "sensitive nature." The September 15, 2008 report, entitled "National Applications Office. Certification of Compliance With Legal, Privacy, and Civil Liberties Standards Needs to Be More Fully Justified," is now in the public domain and was finally released November 6, two days after American national elections.
It makes for a very troubling read. In their November 6 cover letter to congressional committees, the GAO writes:
Citing a growing need to use classified satellite information for civil or domestic purposes, in 2005, an independent study group reviewed the future role of the CAC [Civil Applications Committee] and concluded that although the civil domestic users were well supported through the CAC, homeland security and law enforcement users lacked a coherent, organized, and focused process to access classified satellite information. (GAO, "National Applications Office Certification Review," GAO-09-105R, November 6, 2008)
However, the "independent study group" cited by GAO was neither independent nor predisposed towards limiting the deployment of military spy satellites for domestic "missions." Indeed that report, "Independent Study Group, Civil Applications Committee Blue Ribbon Study," (September 2005), was the product of a panel comprised solely of securocrats and defense and security contractors who stand to make a bundle on NAO. As investigative journalist Tim Shorrock revealed last year, the intelligence-sharing system to be managed by NAO,
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November 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Fox news just made a booboo. They where airing a live stream on the whitehouse with all the people gathering outside. They left the audio on and I just listened to the circle of people that happen to be where they where filming. These people are having an AREST BUSH march on the 13th at 11:30 AM. lol. Fox just advertised people with arest bush tee shirts and let everyone know when and where to be for the march. lol. oops
November 10th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
From Wikipedia:
Church is widely quoted in regards to the National Security Agency: “I don’t want to see this country ever go across the bridge… I know the capacity that is there to make tyranny total in America, and we must see to it that this agency and all agencies that possess this technology operate within the law and under proper supervision, so that we never cross over that abyss. That is the abyss from which there is no return.”
From me:
-Stanley Kubrick’s “Eye’s Wide Shut” exposes an occult organization made up of powerful world leaders and aristocracy. They engage in bizarre rituals and orgies with sex slaves. He depicts them as an organization so powerful and serious that if a person were to try and expose them that person would get killed.
-Stanley Kubrick died “alone” just a few days after releasing this film exposing them. He suicided by Illuminati to prove his point. This is his greatest gift to us. He gave his life to send one last powerful message to us.
-”Eye’s Wide Shut” means this evidence is in front of you yet you refuse to believe what is happening. You are asleep in the face of the evidence about a beastly people that are hunting down all the sheople. This is Stanley Kubrick’s last and most shocking message to the living.
-To believe this is to change your life forever. You will see that life is a scary place filled with bad beastly people indeed, surreptitiously hunting down, using, abusing, and killing its fellow man, including the innocent. You will not be able to retreat to comic books and escape crevices anymore. You will know the truth. If you come to believe. Spread the word.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
if they want to take all of our rights away, simply follow this plan:
before going over to a friend’s house text him and say this: “airplane, bomb, president”. then walk out of your house with a suitcase. go over to your friends house and give him the suitcase.
repeat the process. have him give it to another friend and so forth…
November 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
This is evil, nasty and wrong!!! I have nothing to hide but I resent the hell out of Big Brother govt thing he has the right to invade my privacy like this. Pffffffffft to Big Brother!!!!
November 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Well solar, you canstill go to bars, church if that your thing, and all the things you mentioned, but you will lose the rights to privacy, the right to say what you want, the right to not agree with the government, the right to be self secure in your home. You have nothing to hide, well I doubt that we all got someting in the closet, someting we did that we are ashamed of, but the government will be able to find it and use it.
You also lose the right to be a free American. You will be watched in the name of your own safety, and they will say they are protecting you from terrorists, but in reality they will be protecting themselves from you, and in time they will be using the excuse that they are protecting you from yourself.
You can’t be that ignorant, please tell me you are not.
Just wait, if you own a gun they will have your house zerod in and they will have you momitored, and you do not stand a chance, and that goes for all of us.
Christ man read your bill of rights, read your constitution.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Cool fox put it out and you will see them possibly get their asses kicked. Really Fox and other news probrams will do that, they want to tip of the government, and sorry Bush will never stand trial for anyting, wishing for things do not make them so.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
#6 – you make a good point when you say, “they are not protecting us from terrorists…they are protecting themselves from us”. i am going to remember that and use that as rebuttle the next time a church person tells me that it’s ok for the government to spy on us.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
WOW….it amazes me that people wanted someone to start this revolution. I have started a group on facebook (Revolution Started) 5000 people and we got to Washington to protest. So come and join us…fight the fight….unless you really are all talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM DOING SOMETHING……ARE YOU?
MY PAGE SUPPORTS INFOWARS AND RELAYS INFORMATION TO YOU.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
We will also see the unmanned drones they use in afghanistan flying down main street too.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I tottaly agree.Anyone who doesn’t pick up the occult connection with the so called elites…is tottaly missing the bigger picture.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Wear a big mirror on your head.
November 10th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
anyone who actually believes in the occult is missing the bigger picture, how easily could they use bible “predictions” against you?
November 10th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
The USA declares rouge NSA regime ENEMY OF THE STATE.
——————————————————————————–
Open Letter to NSA: IT IS TIME FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION
Your time has come to be destroyed. Your crimes against the American people can no longer go unpunished. I am calling you out. You’re a corrupt organization and your activities have been nothing short of evil. Your actions cannot be tolerated in this world. I have been sent by American people to act for the American people. Your victims cannot speak for themselves. I have seen all the people who are selflessly trying to expose your illegal weapons, which you turned on your own country. I have seen all your former employee’s testimonies, which reveal the proof of your corrupt actions. I have read the medical journals from undisputable sources showing your weapons testing. I have read the thousands of articles from credible journalists, in which they were desperately trying to educate the public. Your system of deception may have saved from those people’s call for justice, but it is not going to stop you from God’s. I have been sent to dispense your doom.
I am here publicly saying that the American people will no longer be victims of your violence. Your propaganda and technological manipulation may work to control many people in America, but we have been watching you for a long time. The freemen united and learned to adapt to your methods. There is an entire network of people out there who dedicate their lives to ending your oppression. They understand that you have the power through corruption, but they have considered what you truly are; a covert terrorist organization. Your crimes have forced the Americans people to consider you an enemy to this country. The world is sick with your immoral abuse of power as well. You attacked the freedom’s that God gave mankind. You attacked freewill. Prepare to meet the consequences of committing the unforgivable sin.
So today is the beginning of your obliteration, something we all have been working towards for some time. No one is with you anymore. You’re no longer part of this American government. The other intelligence agencies have separated themselves from you. You’re a rouge organization and your allies have disappeared. No one is going to do your dirty work anymore. Even the criminal empires, that your technology helped support, cannot stand by your atrocities against humanity. You are all alone and your friends conspirer against you. You were not smarter the American people; we were learning your weaknesses and studying your patterns. We have systematically separated you from the rest of America. We know everything you are going to try to do. You’re a criminal organization with a mirage of power. Stand down and hand over your control of NSA operations to the American people. Do not make us go to the next stage in this process.
- The American People
(To those of you confused I say come find us. The NSA has abused its power and attempted to take control of all Internet activity. To my friends who discuss politics in message boards or chats I am sorry what they did to you. It is all a lie; you’re being psychologically abused by an agenda to control your beliefs. They have turned you into our enemy with deceit. The truth isn’t hard to find. The evidence is overwhelming. I am sorry for what they did to you, come let us help you.)
November 10th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
There is no right to privacy in the U.S. Check the constituition. Of course if you text bomb and plane you will be put on a list. Because you are an idiot. If you do nothing, nothing will be done to you. Yes they can arrest you on a hunch, and they are systematically elimination the right to free speech, but the system is nevertheless in place. So stop bitching, and get involved in the political machine to change it. Writing on this board will do nothing.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
To poster # 13, I have thought the same thought though. If the forces are working out there, of course all the bible predictions in the book of revelations are coming to pass. The bible would be a very good guide to use to control people. Hell, all of them. Bible, Koran, Torah. All religion is basically the same, just change the words and the languages and you can divide.
November 11th, 2008 at 2:26 am
#15:”If you do nothing…Nothing will be done to you!!!” ???? How fuckin’ “STUPID” is that statement??? You’ll be at the whim of any law enforcement agency and you will be entwined in that system one way or another!!! BTW the actual quote is “Do nothing…And nothing will NOT be done!!!” So…the 1’st, 2nd’, 4th’, 5th’, 6th, 7th amendments mean nothing to you??? Do you know how to lace up a pair of boots???? I sure as fuck do!!!! You have the 1st behind you and I CAN bitch all I want but, at least I engage our elected!!!! WTF do you do besides blog??? On bended knee…”All Will ‘HAIL’ Thermal Expansion!!!!”
November 11th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Isnt it comforting that Americans have re-voted into office AGAIN- the traitors that have been undermining us for years? Its the docility of the sheep that have made all this possible. No excuses.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Well said #6
November 11th, 2008 at 11:06 am
These new world order luciferian devils have such a “GOD COMPLEX”!! They hate God because they instinctively know that He is against their genocides and murders and great thefts!! But they want to be their own gods!! As they are following their true god lucifer who also goes by Satan!! So they can view us from above like the True God can also view us from heaven!! Accept for the True God sees everything at one time!! And they cannot and will never be able to accomplish such a GIGANTIC FEAT!! But when they are scorching and crying and lamenting in the Great Lake of Fire and Brimstone for killing Gods Children who will resist and deny their beast chip; THEN THEY WILL FINALLY KNOW; though it will be way too late, that the TRUE GOD OF HEAVEN HAS THE RIGHT TO KILL AND DESTROY AND PUNISH FOR ALL OF ETERNITY!! But the great question is this; WILL YOU BE WITH THEM!! Will you also be screaming and crying and saying, “”I should have given my life to Jesus and not be down here with these child molesting and murderings and genocidal monsters who destroyed and enslaved the whole world for their wicked pleasures!! I did right to fight them to the end; but I have lost my eternal soul and I am also doomed with them!! What a great waiste of time and energy just to be screaming and agonizing with them!! aaahhhhhh!! aaaaaahhhhhhh!! aaaahhhhhhhh!!”"
November 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Want to speak up directly??
This was sent to me today:
IF enough people speak up they could (could they?) make a difference. Can’t hurt to try…….I hope.
Go to:
http://www.change.gov/
roll your mouse over “American Moment” then click on “Share your vision”
I think all readers of Alex Jones should at least try to submit once, why not?
November 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am
new meaning to helicopter mom. great article. and i like the idea of going to http://www.change.gov
see you there
e
http://www.aniboom.com/video/2.....ll-speech/
November 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Access to the high-tech surveillance tools would, for the first time, allow Homeland Security and law-enforcement officials to see real-time, high-resolution images and data, which would allow them, for example, to identify smuggler staging areas, a gang safehouse, or possibly even a building being used by would-be terrorists to manufacture chemical weapons
Potential Homeland Security uses:
Mapping smuggling routes along the border
Studying critical infrastructure
Using different spectra of light to identify chemical or biological weapons manufacturing
Mapping cities before special events to prepare security plans
Used by Coast Guard to track ships bound for the U.S.Potential law-enforcement uses:
Potential law-enforcement uses:
Monitoring a suspected terrorist house
Searching for drug production facilities
Advanced GPS tracking of suspects’ cars
Analyze crime scenes after events such as Washington sniper attacksAssess damage
November 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
#23 Stevo that all sounds nice… But you SERIOUSLY think thats how it owuld go ? idiot
November 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Is this surprising? Pull your heads out of the sand furry friends. Check these and catch a clue, NOW. North American Union rise of the fourth reich amero illuminati/fallen angels and nibiru echelon ipto operation gandalf rex 84 strangedaysstrangeskies whatdoesitmean.com for breaking intl news ifowars alexjonesprison planet stevequayle.com uaff.us and good luck. It all works out for us, read Enoch. As for you lying cheating slitering cowards. It will be our greatest pleasure to deal with you in 2012. Welcome to YOUR tribulation…….the remnant ps your scary little cars outside my window do nothing less than turn me on to further infuriate and illuminate your dirty deeds and agenda
November 12th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Yes I like those odds very much!! They are watching us!! And God and His Holy Angels are watching them 24/7 !! And their wickedness is stopped by Him when He wants it too!! And God does intervene for the sake of His Children when He wants too!! And they will know that the Great God of Heaven will be worshipped and adored in the very near future as they and their beast chippped antichrist children will be defeated and doomed forever and ever!! So let them watch us; AS THE GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN IS WATCHING THEM !! AND AS HIS HOLY ANGELS ARE GATHERING DATA FOR THEIR JUDGMENTS AND GREAT DOOM!!
November 13th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
stevo, stop being such a tool
November 13th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
TO: You’re all idiots#14,
———————————————————-
YOU SAID: “Writing on this board will do nothing”
———————————————————-
I SAY: WHY ARE YOU THEN?
November 14th, 2008 at 9:43 am
DARPA’s AI Control Grid: http://video.google.com/videop.....2339435723