Clipmarks | pokkets's 'security' clips

Homeland Security Detects Terrorist Threats by Reading Your Mind

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:18:34 GMT

clipped by: sunstreak509

Most preventive screening looks for explosives or metals that pose a threat. But a new system called MALINTENT turns the old school approach on its head. This Orwellian-sounding machine detects the person — not the device — set to wreak havoc and terror.

MALINTENT, the brainchild of the cutting-edge Human Factors division in Homeland Security's directorate for Science and Technology, searches your body for non-verbal cues that predict whether you mean harm to your fellow passengers.

Tags: united states, homeland security, terrorism

U.S. Military Hoped for Virtually Unlimited Freedom of Action in Iraq

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:37:45 GMT

clipped by: sahara
clipper's remarks: This was reported in June...

According to Cockburn's reporting, "President Bush wants to push [the security pact] through by the end of [July 2008] so he can declare a military victory and claim his 2003 invasion has been vindicated." (Note 13) A prime beneficiary of the acceptance of a military agreement that the Iraqi people do not believe respects their rights or serves their interests would probably be the vast, privatized U.S. military/intelligence complex, positioned to profit from repressing the resistance sure to follow. If the Bush administration's goal is achieved through secret deals and pressure tactics it would only confirm the widespread view that its commitment to democracy is primarily self-serving. In Iraq as elsewhere there are many who would welcome a genuine American commitment to liberty and human rights but believe that U.S. actions contradict its rhetoric.
So much to decipher here!

Clip Source: www.gwu.edu

Washington D.C., June 13, 2008 - Recently declassified documents show that the U.S. military has long sought an agreement with Baghdad that gives American forces virtually unfettered freedom of action, casting into doubt the Bush administration's current claims that their demands are more limited in scope. News reports have indicated that the Bush administration is exerting pressure on the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to accept a U.S.-Iraq security plan by the end of July 2008. According to these accounts, the plan would give the U.S. more than 50 military bases in Iraq, provide complete freedom of action to conduct military operations, allow complete freedom to arrest and detain Iraqis, and grant U.S. forces and contractors total immunity from Iraqi law

According to the slides, U.S. requirements for Iraq included:

Use of Iraqi facilities

Contracting

Entry and Exit of forces

Taxation

Security requirements and support

The Current Plan

Likely Fallout

Read the Documents

Tags: war, iraq, freedom

Freeeeeedom! of Information (National Security Archive)

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:28:46 GMT

clipped by: sahara
clipper's remarks: So much information, great site!

National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Books provide online access to critical declassified records on issues including U.S. national security, foreign policy, diplomatic and military history, intelligence policy, and more. Updated frequently, the Electronic Briefing Books represent just a small sample of the documents in our published and unpublished collections.

A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals. On March 17, 2000, Long Island University named the National Security Archive as winner of a Special George Polk Award for 1999 for "piercing self-serving veils of government secrecy" and "serving as an essential journalistic resource."

Clip Source: www.gwu.edu

The National Security Archive is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

November 5, 2007
The Record on CURVEBALL
Declassified Documents and Key Participants Show the Importance of Phony Intelligence in the Origins of the Iraq War

Update - June 26, 2007, 1 p.m.
Full Report Now Available

June 21, 2007
The CIA's Family Jewels
Agency Violated Charter for 25 Years

The September 11th Sourcebooks
Primary sources on the War on Terrorism

Nixon Meets Elvis
Documents and photos from the extraordinary meeting

May 14, 2008
Electronic and Classified Records are Overwhelming the National Archives, According to Senate Testimony of Archive Director

June 13, 2008
U.S. Military Hoped for Virtually Unlimited Freedom of Action in Iraq
Drafting of U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement Began Nearly Five Years Ago

Clip Source: www.gwu.edu

Tags: freedom, knowledge

Computer visuses hit one million

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:31:33 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: They say it is due to an increasingly professional digital criminal underground. Doesn't that just mean they're making increasing amounts of money? Looks like Vista is as infectious as Windows has ever been. I suppose it pays to become more well versed on the capability, and mechanisms of computer viruses, and watch out for them in addition to relying on antivirus programs.
If my programs have found a virus trojan etc, I can't delete it until I've found out what I can about it. I don't remember having any real trouble since I started using firefox, but I'd be surprised if any could compete with some of the operator errors I've had to fix. It can be hard to fix something when the answer can be found on line, and the computer won't boot.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

The number of viruses, worms and trojans in circulation has topped the one million mark.

The new high for malicious programs was revealed by security firm Symantec in the latest edition of its bi-annual Internet Security Threat Report.

The vast majority of these programs have been created in the last twelve months, said Symantec.

Cyber criminals pump out malware to fool anti-virus programs which look for characteristics they have already seen.

Throughout 2007 Symantec detected more than 711,912 novel threats which brings the total number of malicious programs that the security firm's anti-virus programs detect to 1,122,311.

The vast majority of these viruses are aimed at PCs running Microsoft Windows

Popular malicious installations include key loggers that spring to life if particular websites are visited or programs, such as online games, are started up.

The report also put the growth in malicious code down to the increasingly professional digital criminal underground.

America's Middle Class Still Sinking

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:21:58 GMT

clipped by: dmegivern

Clip Source: www.americanprogress.org

America's Middle Class Still Losing Ground

Read the full report (pdf)

For the past two years, the Center for American Progress has calculated a number of middle-class financial security indicators to measure how many families have the financial resources for a spell of unemployment, for a medical emergency, for both, or for an unspecified economic emergency equal to three months of their income. Our figures demonstrate the financial and economic roller coaster ride that America’s middle class has been on.

The sharpest deterioration in middle-class financial security is associated with the cost of a medical emergency.

Drops in personal wealth have contributed to the decline in middle-class financial security.

The share of families who had enough resources to cover a spell of unemployment has declined since 2000.

Tags: middle class, wealth, economics

Iran is no threat unless Bush makes it one

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:23:35 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Attack on Iran will quash democracy movement

Clip Source: www.payvand.com

Iran Is No Threat, Unless Bush Makes It One

Worst of all, military attacks on Iran will only consolidate the hardliners' grip on Iran, just when economic problems and political repression are shaking the foundations of their power. President Ahmadinejad is in deep trouble at home, even among his own base. The vast majority of Iran's urban population, and in particular its university students, despise him for his failed economic policies, political repression, and the danger that his hollow rhetoric has created for Iran's national security.

In April 2005, when the reformist Mohammad Khatami was still president, Iran made a comprehensive proposal to the U.S., offering to enter serious negotiations and putting all the important issues on the table. The offer was never taken seriously.

given the deep unpopularity of the hardliners, the absence of an external threat to Iran's national security would make it much easier for democratic groups to push for reforms

Tags: iran

France says New Iran Resolution Imminent

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:45:34 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: A U.S. 'intelligence assessment last month indicated Tehran had stopped active work on a nuclear weapons program.

Deja vu

Clip Source: www.mail.com

ANGELA CHARLTON

The U.N. Security Council's five permanent members and Germany are expected to agree Tuesday on a new resolution to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, a French diplomat said. But a U.S. official said differences over the issue remain.

The senior French diplomat, who briefed reporters Monday on condition that he not be identified by name, said an agreement was very close and should be finalized by the six nation's foreign ministers at a meeting in Berlin, Germany

others were more cautious about what the talks could produce. Momentum for a third resolution has slowed since a U.S. intelligence assessment last month

indicated Tehran had stopped active work on a nuclear weapons program in 2003

Any new agreement would need Security Council approval. It already has issued two resolutions on Iran imposing international sanctions over its defiance of international demands that it suspend uranium enrichment

all six nations

have been discussing for months a third U.N. resolution

New ID rules complicate travel

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:43:27 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: Drivers licenses will not be valid ID for boarding aircraft. There is now REAL ID, which seems equivalent to an internal passport. It's only a matter of time before they point how easy it would be to implant a registered ID chip at birth, before anyone has had time to argue. The political 'Dream' is to know where everyone is all of the time, and be able to track money, wherever it is. To the mite.
Why is it taking so long with all of the talk of wars and enemies through the development of civilization, for people to work out that Mankind must have an aspect to it's character that makes it it's own worst enemy.
We have spent our entire History Shadow Boxing.
If we see a 'mirror' we try and smash the glass, because we are afraid we may see our true selves. While cutting our hands on the glass, we pretend there is a victory.
An image is a poor substitute for something we have a clear view of. Our own hearts.
I thought the aim of the constitution was to prevent things like this happe

Clip Source: www.mail.com

DEVLIN BARRETT

Millions of air travelers may find going through airport security much more complicated this spring, as the Bush administration heads toward a showdown with state governments over post-Sept. 11 rules for new driver's licenses.

By May, the dispute could leave millions of people unable to use their licenses to board planes, but privacy advocates called that a hollow threat by federal officials.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who was unveiling final details of the REAL ID Act's rules on Friday, said that if states want their licenses to remain valid for air travel after May 2008, those states must seek a waiver indicating

they want more time to comply with the legislation.

The plan's chief critic, the American Civil Liberties Union, called Chertoff's deadline a bluff -- and urged state governments to call him on it.

"Are they really prepared to shut those airports down? Which is what effectively would happen

"This is a scare tactic."

Bhutto sent Blitzer Security Email

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:52:58 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: Only to be released if she was killed. Bhutto wasn't worried about al Qaeda. She could feel Musharraf breathing down her neck. I'm sure Musharraf resigned as leader of the army only after he was confident that he could win the election. A thorn by any other name is still a thorn.
Bhutto was an unpredictable complication. BUT. They knew who committed the crime before it was committed.
Ironic that she was on Stage.
The more I see the actions of the 'leaders' today the more I'm reminded of Lady Macbeth. "Out Damned Spot" she wailed as she tried to wash the blood off her hands.
The blood will never be washed off.
The halls of power are becoming Stately mausoleums.
"Whitewashed Tombs"

Clip Source: www.mail.com

DAVID BAUDER

It was a story CNN's Wolf Blitzer hoped he'd never have to report -- an e-mail sent to him through an intermediary by Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto complaining about her security. Conditions of use: only if she were killed.

Bhutto, who was assassinated on Thursday, wrote to Blitzer that if anything happened to her, "I would hold (Pakistani President Pervez) Musharraf responsible."

Blitzer received the e-mail on Oct. 26 from Mark Siegel, a friend and longtime Washington spokesman for Bhutto. That was eight days after she narrowly escaped another attempt at her life.

Bhutto wrote to Blitzer that "I have been made

to feel insecure by his (Musharraf's) minions," that specific improvements had not been made to her security arrangements, and that the Pakistani leader was responsible.

Blitzer agreed to the conditions before receiving the e-mail

Blitzer reported on the e-mail late Thursday

but was told firmly it could only be used if she were killed

Tags: bhutto, blitzer, email

These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:32:21 GMT

clipped by: swampfoxz
clipper's remarks: The weapons you are looking for are currently unavailable.

Clip Source: www.coxar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed

The weapons you are looking for are currently unavailable. The country might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your weapons inspectors mandate.

Please try the following:

Click the Regime change button, or try again later.

If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly. (IRAQ).

To check your weapons inspector settings, click the UN menu, and then click Weapons Inspector Options. On the Security Council tab, click Consensus. The settings should match those provided by your government or NATO.

If the Security Council has enabled it, The United States of America can examine your country and automatically discover Weapons of Mass Destruction.
If you would like to use the CIA to try and discover them,
click Detect weapons

Some countries require 128 thousand troops to liberate them. Click the Panic menu and then click About US foreign policy to

Tags: weapons

The Funniest Joke in the World

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:41:38 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: The Joke was classified by the Military, because of it's devastating effects. One of the reasons, with national security, that some things need to be kept a secret.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

US, Iraq deal sees long term US prescence

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:02:14 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikai said there have, since 1990, been UN restrictions that have imposed on the leadership of Iraq as 'punishment' for the invasion of Kuwait, that need to be lifted, before the international forces mandate could be renewed.
Imposed on the Leadership in 1990? A lot has changed in then.
So why are the United Nations suddenly supposed to be calling the shots? Seems like so-one will be comig home, the name will just change from being Troops-To security forces.

Clip Source: www.mail.com

By BEN FELLER

President Bush on Monday signed a deal setting the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq, with details to be negotiated over matters that have defined the war debate at home -- how many U.S. forces will stay in the country, and for how long.

The agreement between Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki confirms that the United States and Iraq will hash out an "enduring" relationship in military, economic and political terms. Details of that relationship will be negotiated in 2008

The U.S.-Iraq agreement will replace the present U.N. mandate regulating the presence of the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

It also would help the Iraqi government thwart any attempt to suspend or repeal a constitution drafted with U.S. help and adopted in a nationwide vote in 2005.

Al-Maliki said the renewal of the multinational forces' mandate was conditional on the repeal of what he called restrictions on Iraqi sovereignty introduced in 1990 by the U.N. Security Council

Tags: us, iraq, troops, prescence, bush, al-malaki

Republican's Thompson urges expanded Military

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:12:59 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: One Million Ground Troops, Better Military equipment more funding for Veterans. Great Promises, but do they have the money? Or the people? Private Security can be expensive. Have Politicians ever been taught about Budgets? Well...They're not spending their own money. They get tax breaks!
When there is a win they take credit when there is a loss they call it a "win" and blame the enemy for a reason that best suits the social climate. If he becomes commander in chief he should show his faith in the troop and serve in the front line. Of course that would be as insane as believing that a Million member ground force could be raised, when there aren't two nickel's to rub together

Clip Source: www.mail.com

JIM DAVENPORT

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson called for a million-member military ground force and more funding to equip and care for service members and veterans in a speech Tuesday at a military college in this early presidential primary state

former Tennessee senator and actor also told a crowd at The Citadel that he wants more modern battle equipment on the ground, in the air and on the water to help revitalize the nation's security

"With 20th century equipment in a 21st century war, our material support for our troops has not matched the demands we have placed on them," Thompson said to applause from hundreds of cadets

staff and visitors at the school's basketball arena. "We've been asking too few troops to do too much for too long."

"Some would say this plan is too much and too big," Thompson said. "I don't believe that's the case, not at all."

Thompson is in a close three-way race here with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

Tags: republican, war, troops, funding, military

TB - Tuberculosis - dreaded past plague or next one?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:18:41 GMT

clipped by: nedhamson
clipper's remarks: So you thought TB, like Polio had been eradicated? Not! Wrong on both counts. The "terror" that the world's political leaders should be actively worried and working on to provide security for their peoples are the ancient terrors of disease and hunger! Security from those terrors would be better protection from those who might want to recruit your people to become a "terrorist."

Clip Source: www.thetimes.co.za

The world could be on the brink of a tuberculosis apocalypse unless new ways of fighting the incurable strains of the disease are found.

That grim warning was issued yesterday by Mario Raviglione, the director of the Stop TB department of the World Health Organisation, at an international conference in Cape Town.

He told reporters that 4 percent of tuberculosis cases around the world were currently untreatable — caused by so called multi-drug resistant and extreme drug resistant strains.

But this percentage could grow.

Tags: tuberculosis, plague, health, megadeath, crisis, global

Part4-Ten tips to protect from identity theft while online shopping

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:37:41 GMT

clipped by: caissie_tab

Clip Source: biz.yahoo.com

7. Maintain a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online confirmation/receipt, and copies of any email(s) you exchange with the seller. 8. Do not share your passwords with anyone and never provide your social security number, birth date, or mother's maiden name in an email. 9. Make sure all of your security software is up-to-date before you do your online shopping. That includes anti-virus software, anti-spyware, and firewalls. 10. Use a separate email account for your online shopping. You can set up a free email account online through several different services. For more information visit: www.huntington.com.

Tags: id