Update: Dept. of Homeland Security weighs forcing passengers to wear stun gun bracelets on airplanes
by Jeffrey White Jul 7th 2008 @ 3:00PM Back in March, Gadling blogged about a firearm training system, Lamperd, which had patented a bracelet that worked like a stun gun when activated.
At the time, Lamperd was lobbying the Transportation Security Administration to make it mandatory for all airline passengers to wear one, with the thinking that it was the best way to thwart a terrorist.
Well, here's an update.
The Department of Homeland Security, ever the shepherds watching over their flocks, appears to be seriously weighing making this bracelet mandatory and has sent a letter to Lamperd encouraging the company to draft a formal proposal for integrating its bracelet into flight security.
That's right. Your tax dollars are funding the R&D arm of DHS, which wants to develop technology that acts essentially as a GPS attached to your wrist, allowing the government to track pretty much everywhere you go once you check in for your flight, and giving the flight crew the ability to waylay you if you get out of hand.
O.K., that might be overstating it: Officials say the bracelet would only be activated in the event of a terrorist attack. But still....
Here is a promotional video for the bracelet that piqued DHS's interest.
The Washington Times today quotes a letter from DHS's Paul S. Ruwaldt, of the Science and Technology Directorate, in which he writes to Lamperd saying, "To make it clear, we are interested in...the immobilizing security bracelet and look forward to receiving a written proposal."
The Times says the letter was written on Federal Aviation Administration letterhead.
The Times goes on to detail what the bracelet could do. It would:
* Eliminate the need to carry a boarding pass * Contain personal data about you, including your travel history * Monitor the whereabouts of both you and your luggage after check-in * Employ Electro-Musclar Disruption technology that could immobilize a passenger for nearly 10 minutes
Now, with all the idiotic things passengers have been doing on planes of late, I could maybe get behind employing some kind of bracelet stun gun.
But seriously, I consider all this with some foreboding. I mean, slipping a bracelet on a little kid that could deliver a shock powerful enough to make an electronic dog fence zap seem like a pinprick is a scary thought. What if a flight attendant accidently activates one of them?
What do you think? Would mandatory bracelets like these make air travel safer, or is this just another way for the government to look over our shoulders?
This happens to be one of my favourite songs, and the song I requested to play at my wedding to dance with my grandfather ten years ago.
Anyway, why haven't I been around the past few weeks you must wonder? Well... my grandfather had fallen ill and had been hospitalized a few weeks back and had fallen into what one would consider a coma. I made a decision to fly down a week after he went into the hospital to be here with my mother, grandmother to help out and to visit my grandfather ... it was obvious he wasn't going to snap out of it and make a recovery at his age. Nothing was wrong with him that they could find... Perhaps he made an executive decision it was time to go and shut down. He passed January 30th, peacefully and he is in a better place now.
The Louis Armstrong song is dedicated to my grandfather, a loving, caring man who was blessed with a witty sense of humour to the very end. A man who could make you laugh until you cried and your sides ached. A man who had a genuine and permanent smile on his face who loved and adored my grandmother for 70 years and loved and adored his family.
I hope you enjoy this classic and find the love and devotion my grandparents shared with each other these past 70 years....
I know I relish every single day of my life and every day that I wake up I am grateful for another day and for the people who are a part of my life. There have been a few occurrences in my lifetime where by all rights I should be dead, like this man in the video below. I truly believe there was divine intervention and those of us who survive... survive for a reason.
It turned out to be a nice Christmas even though Santa left me the flu the very next day (I got from one of my nieces) which lasted 4 days, which turned into a nasty head cold (Honestly, I would rather have the flu!) and was bordering bronchial pneumonia... but I am starting to feel much better now and feeling somewhat human; I even managed to get some food down yesterday... The good thing, I lost close to 15 pounds in a little over a week and nothing fits.
Anyway, I call my nieces and nephews "Klingons," I admit it... I'm a terrible aunt... well, not really ::winks:: They range from 22 months old to 17.
I have always been their "jungle gym" which they climb all over, hang on, swing off my arms, climb up my legs while I am walking, jump on my back, sit all over me and of course lest we not forget 'let's brush Aunt Ange's long hair UP.' I must have a sign that says "I am an amusement park, feel free to play." Even the teenagers still do. At any rate... I admit I enjoy every minute of it, being the "cool aunt" and the one the kids come to and there is nothing better than walking in the front door and hearing them stop whatever it is they are doing and screaming my name and tackling me, it's the best feeling in the world! I miss that from my brothers kids since they moved down south but I still get it from the rest of my nieces and nephews up here. What is most amazing is no matter what is going on or how bad things are, they make the world right again... it's a beautiful feeling.
Christmas Eve I had five of them hanging all over me ranging from 14 and under. At one point my family thought it was so funny that I couldn't move without them, they had to take pictures... I had 5 kids on me well... 4. My nephew Sonny, who I call "meatball" was smart enough to realize there just wasn't enough room to climb all over me when I had a 12 and a 14 old on me and I was holding a 4 and the 22 month old.. he just leaned against me "clinging on" with the wisdom that I couldn't handle holding another. And now you know why I call them "Klingons."
Anyway, I hope everyone had a great holiday and I apologize for not posting or littering your pages with responses.
I finally put my Christmas tree up yesterday. The tree which is 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide holds a lot sentiment to me; it was the last thing my father in-law and I shopped for together back in the early 90's.
A lot of memories and a story come with this tree. I was dating my husband at the time and my brother in law (who wasn't my brother in-law at the time) and I decorated the house every year and we went all out, but that year we really went all out. We decided to hang over 1,000 snowflakes from the ceiling… so my sister in-law and I spent the day stringing snowflakes with fishing line to each individual sparkling snowflake while my brother in law put each one into the ceiling with special Christmas thumbtacks throughout the living room. I decided to make one wall a giant Christmas gift. I remember my father in-law walking in the front door and looking at the three of us, looking at the ceiling, smiling and shaking his head… Then my mother in-law requested that Pop go out a buy a new Christmas tree, she wanted a white one. So he asked if I wanted to come and off we went to the stores to go shopping for a new tree. Out of hundreds of trees he asked me which one I liked best and of course and you guessed it, that's the one he bought - it's setup in my study right now. On with the story…. We came back to the house and to her dismay he did not buy her a white Christmas tree but your typical realistic ever green – she was not pleased.
Later on, Pop and I were sitting in the kitchen having coffee and she decided to bark at him for not fixing the wallpaper which was curling in the corner towards the ceiling just slightly… Understand we were partners in crime and read each other very well - we were always on the same page and the best way to describe it was like we were one mind. The two of them always fought like cats and dogs. As she started to yell and nag at him he decided he was going to fix that small curl right then and there and I remember him getting up and snapping at her "You want it fixed, Fine! I'll fix it for ya!" as he grabbed a chair and looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and winked, I knew exactly what to give him, one of the Christmas thumbtacks we had left over from the thousand snowflakes we had hung throughout the house which he stuck in the wall holding the barely noticeable curl of wallpaper in place. The next comment "Your fucking wall paper is fixed!" I couldn't help but giggle to myself, it was funny.
A few days before Christmas my father in law found it painful to eat, not a complaint out of him he just wouldn't eat, and the day after Christmas he was in the hospital and spent a few weeks in there to be told he had six weeks to live. He died six months, 11 days later and I devastated for quite some time. My mother in-law vowed that when I married her son, the tree was coming with me and it's been with me ever since. So did the thumbtack for that matter ::laughs:: which is in a box safe and sound. It was the only thing I wanted after he passed. So the remaining items I have are the memories, the Christmas tree, the thumbtack and of course two fishing lines, hooks and bobs tangled together from our last fishing trip – we both thought we had caught a big fish to find out our lines caught on to each other. Those lines, hooks and bobs travel with me always - they have for the past 16 years.
So, that's my story I needed to tell because I miss him a lot and because these are some of the moments that make me smile and laugh when I think of him.
Can anyone explain the Dolce & Gabbana Commercial to me please?
Current mood: confused
I'm sorry.. but the first time I saw this commerical I was half paying attention and I was thinking to myself "What the F--K!!?" So next time, I watched it... and I am still at that stage "WTF!!!!???"
I took a media course and they always have a message in there somewhere. So, what is it they are trying to say? What's the message" "You're all really gay?" or "You're incomplete unless you're wearing Dolce & Gabbana?"
A few weeks ago I went back to Florida for a deposition. When I walked in my mom's door and sat down, settled in and I realized I felt like I had never left. I had told her so. Something about my experience with my mother's accident two and a half years ago, taking care of my mother and grandparents who live ten minutes away from her for the duration of my stay in 2005 somehow changed me. I have always been brazen to some degree, but I had always limited myself. I always took into consideration other people's feelings, showing respect, and over-analyzing what could be going on in their lives and always acting properly, with kindness, understanding and compassion.
After that debacle, I have grown more into seeing people for what they are. I've realized a lot of people don't think as deeply as I do and probably don't analyze things to death looking at all angles and looking for ones that may not even exist, at least they aren't open about it if they do.
Anyway, From May 2005 to August 2005 I'd have to say the balls I always had grew, and I reached a point that I didn't care much what people thought about me. I guess when you're faced with protecting your family you'll do whatever it takes no matter what the cost. And I've made a lot of changes since then finding a happy medium with the pair of balls I always had, but never really used. I felt like a caterpillar that had gone into its cocoon and I wasn't really sure if what would come out would be a monster or a butterfly. I discovered over the years the process is long and painful. Hence my quote "Whoever said growing pains wasn't painful, lied." My point, I found a happy medium. I used to bite my tongue a lot because who knows what's going on in someone's life, maybe they had a rough life and that's why they are such an asshole. Now my attitude is, there probably is a reason for it, but it's not my problem and don't make it mine. I have self control over the things I do and don't do and I won't be taking it out on some poor sod because it makes me feel better. But if someone is acting like an asshole, now I say what's on my mind and I don't care what someone else thinks. If they're going to be a jerk I am going to say my peace and too bad if you don't like it. If you won't consider my feelings, I won't consider yours either.
I got to thinking when I was there recently all of the people.. my dear friends that I've known for a long long time, some are from here who supported me and were my rocks when I was down there facing a lot of tough challenges. Brendog, Jen, Spy, Kimbo, Ken, Zurch, Mattie, Chris (I know you read this dopey), my sister Rainy, my brother, my sister in-law Donna, Abe, Frankie Angel, my best-friend Joanne, Jimmy, Sue and I of course cannot forget the lights of my life, my nieces and nephews who occasionally read this blog. I need to thank you for ALWAYS loving me, for being such good friends, and always supporting me no matter what. It makes times like what happened a couple of years ago go by a lot easier knowing you are fortunate to be as loved as I am and to have that support. I have a lot to be grateful for. So… this is my thanks to you guys. I know I've said it many times and I've shown my appreciation in many ways, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there when I need you most. And thank you Mike for the invitation when I was down there recently.. I wished I had had the time to accept.
I hope you all had a great holiday!
I love you guys!!! You rock! You too, D!!! ::big hugs::
So I have an A Type personality 22 less points and I would be considered Type A/B but I'm safe and fall into A Type.. hahaha.... In addition, corporate testing used to show I was a paradox, and a rare breed... an Analytical/Expressive... ahhh the best of both worlds (left and right brained) and one of my girlfriends sent this off to me today.. so I took this one too and I'm pretty much in line with continuing to be an analytical/expressive. So why not take the test and post them like I did: http://www.testcafe.com/lbrb/lbrb.html
Which one do you fall under? Post your results here. Below are mine.
Brain Type Test - Results Are You Left-Brained or Right-Brained?
Although one side of the brain is generally dominant over the other, we should strive to utilize both halves. A balanced brain makes a balanced person - combining sequential thinking with a holistic approach, or linear thinking with intuition, enables us to fully comprehend issues and solve problems. Left-brainers can dramatically improve their problem solving abilities by learning to "follow their gut," while right-brainers can improve the execution of their creative efforts.
Realizing your dominant half is the first step in becoming balance-brained.
Your percentage score for the left brain is 52%. Your percentage score for the right brain is 48%.
You are more left-brained than right-brained. Your left brain controls the right side of your body. In addition to being known as left-brained, you are also known as a critical thinker who uses logic and sense to collect information. You are able to retain this information through the use of numbers, words, and symbols. You usually only see parts of the "whole" picture, but this is what guides you step-by-step in a logical manner to your conclusion. Concise words, numerical and written formulas and technological systems are often forms of expression for you. Some occupations usually held by a left-brained person include a lab scientist, banker, judge, lawyer, mathematician, librarian, and skating judge.
Your left brain/right brain percentage was calculated by combining the individual scores of each half's sub-categories. They are as follows:
Left Brain
Linear Sequential Symbolic Logical Verbal Reality-based
Right Brain
Holistic Random Concrete Intuitive Nonverbal Fantasy-oriented
Each of these 12 categories has its own distinctive influence in shaping how you think, learn, and perceive the world around you. A detailed evaluation of your brain type has been prepared and is waiting for you. Order the full report now for this information and an insight on why you are who you are!
I'm just wondering what your criteria is that are qualifiers which make one to be psycho in your mind? Paranoid Personality Disorder/Schizoid personality disorder/Sociopath and pathological illness. I'm not making fun of the disease, just curious what others thoughts are.
If you won’t listen, I’ll sing it
Current mood: giggly
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0435109220071004 E Coli
"Tainted Beef"
Sometimes I feel I've got to Run to the john I've got to Get to the john From the E Coli that you drive into the belly of me The pathogen we share Seems to go everywhere And I've lost my fight For my intestines churn I can't sleep at night
(chorus) Once I consumed you Now I have the runs from you This tainted beef you've given I give you all a consumer could give you Take my money and that's not nearly all Oh...tainted beef Tainted beef
Now I know I've got to Run away I've got to Get Imodium AD You don't really want IT any more from me To make my bowels right You need really hold it tight And you'LL think you want to pray But I'm sorry it ends up spraying anyway
(chorus...)
Don't touch me please I cannot stand how you spread disease I love you though you hurt me so Now I'm going to rip one and just let one go Tainted beef, tainted beef (x2) Don't touch me baby, tainted beef (x2) Tainted beef (x3)
What possessed me to write this warped version of "Tainted love" you ask? The news of course... In addition to E Coli warnings we have Salmonella warnings: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hehJvmnbTS0K4rP9LUcK0JvSIeLQ And for those who like Chunky Soup without the plastic bits: http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=10/04/2007&item=155
It's the only thing I can think of, he's lonely, the poor little T-Rex.
About a month ago my husband brought home a whole bunch of toys for my nieces and nephews who were staying with us for the weekend and one of them were like the Rock em Sock em robots, but they were T-Rex's. They decided to keep those toys here so they have something to play with the next time they are up for a visit.
So, last night in a dead sleep.. I hear this roaring sound coming from my closet that sounded like some prehistoric animal and it was loud. It startled me awake and of course I assumed it was just a dream and then went back to sleep. Some time later during the course of the night, same thing... OK. Well, T-Rex's are extinct, so no worries and if it's some demonic green meanie under my bed or hiding in my closet, I'm trying to sleep damn it!! I'll get to you later.
So this morning I go into my closet and open the box where the T-Rex's are stored and he's making his loud noise again. No battery's are in him, they go into the controllers not the dinosaurs.. So he roars, he's annoying and I'm wondering if I can smother him with a pillow? Would that make me a dinosaur slayer?
A kindred soul and an absolute sweet heart of a guy (with a lovely family) who is going for his thyroid surgery Monday morning 9/24... He's calling it the "slit throat tattoo." So.. warm wishes for him... healing energy, lot's of love...
Someone I am acquainted with who has colon cancer posted in their blog today "Why Me?" and they think they had figured out the why's because of a job they had taken a long time ago which would be at hip level working with radioactive drums.
I firmly believe being exposed to electromagnetic waves (such as radioactive waste drums which were probably in radio active decay) are part of the cause of the increase of cancer in the world. Cel phones, cordless phones, laptops, computers, microwaves, high tension wires, exposure to an abundance of EMF's for extensive periods of time have been proven to be cancer causing. An abundance of EMF's are also hurting the bee population creating Colony Collapse Disorder and as Einstein said 'once the bee's are gone, so are we.'
What I find interesting is how they use the exact cause (ionized radiation therapy) to try and cure cancer when in fact they should probably use a non-ionized radiation, its polarity, to reverse and treat cancer. In fact, they should use it in any vocation or subjects people to an over abundance of EMF's to counter ionized radiation because it acts as a diffuser. But I don't think they're that smart yet to figure this stuff out and I'm just someone who has her nose in a lot of books, so what do I know?
Does anyone out there who knows more about this stuff want to tell me if my theory is correct? Even if you don't, what do you think. It just seems to make a hell of a lot of sense to me...
A few weeks ago I posted on July 25, 2007 about a Romanian convict, Pavel Mircea, who decided to sue God. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/City_Supplements/Bangalore_Times/Prosecutors_cannot_find_God_/articleshow/2201899.cms But the case was dropped after two years as they could not find God's address.
And now, NOW we have another idiot, state Senator Ernie Chambers of Nebraska suing God.... http://tothecenter.com/news.php?readmore=3147
Does anyone want to put bets on this guy that next election he won't be state senator? Hmm.. I wonder how quick the people will be to have him removed from office now?
God was unavailable for comment in both cases... Go figure?
blessed
thoughtful
confused
loved
giggly
sympathetic