You'll be happy to know, that Homeland Security was far more concerned some out of work American would try something during this weekend's BOGUS Economic Summit than they were about terrorist...seems a disgruntled, ripped off, screwed by Wall Street and his government out of work Main Street American was more likely to compulsively strike out with violence than Al Quida was likely to attempt a terrorist act...there is no comment in the article, nor from the FBI and Homeland Security about the just feelings of said hypothetical worker.
On a related note...the article (partially included below) does mention that there are over TEN MILLION Americans OUT OF WORK, the highest in a quarter of a century...this writer points out two very important pieces of information regarding that little factoid:
1. Ten million out of work Americans is almost identical to the NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ALIENS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN AMERICA.
2. The last time we had this many OUT OF WORK AMERICANS is right about the same time that President Ronald Reagan started sending up signals he was going to grant illegal aliens Amnesty...which he did in 1986.
Coincedence Folks, or should you be protesting on the White House steps, and in front of President Elect Obama's Tranisition Offices over his plans to LEGALIZE these people that have stolen your jobs...and if you REALLY WANT TO GET ANGRY, he also favors giving everyone of these illegal aliens A TAX AMNESTY to! That's right, a tax AMNESTY...how would you like to be given a FREE TAX RIDE for say FIVE YEARS? Did I mention Obama wants to give these illegal aliens HEALTH CARE? Someone call me when the riots begin so I can post a blog entry saying, "I told you so".
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials say they have no credible information about potential terrorist or criminal attacks against a weekend summit in Washington of world leaders to deal with the global financial crisis.
In fact, law enforcement officials said they were more concerned about angry protesters, such as people left jobless by the financial meltdown, than they were about terrorists.
The summit — the largest gathering of presidents and prime ministers in Washington since NATO's 50th anniversary in 1999 — opens Friday with a dinner at the White House, followed by a day of policy discussions Saturday at the National Building Museum. It's the first in a series of meetings intended to deal with the enormity of the economic meltdown, and the next meeting won't be until after Bush leaves office on Jan. 20.
The high profile event — drawing many world leaders and members of the media to one place — is an appealing target for terrorists and other extremists who want to make a point.
The short notice for the summit, announced last month, combined with the high level of security, makes it a less attractive target for al-Qaida and similar groups, because they generally like to take time to plan a successful attack, according to a Nov. 12 joint assessment by the FBI, Homeland Security Department, National Counterterrorism Center and the Washington Regional Threat & Analysis Center.
"It is possible, however, that an individual adversely affected by the current economic downturn and acting impulsively" could see the summit as an opportunity to commit violent acts, the assessment said.
The nation's jobless ranks zoomed past 10 million last month, the most in a quarter-century, as 240,000 more people lost jobs.
Tight security around the National Building Museum lessens the possibility of an attack or disruption there, but it could also give extremists motivation to take advantage of nearby infrastructure that will not have the same amount of security, the assessment said.
The event has been designated a National Special Security Event, and the Secret Service has the lead for security. The Service has coordinated with 57 other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the local Metropolitan Police Department.
The Service said it is prepared for all security risks, but has no indication that extremists or protesters currently pose any dangers.
A group called Global Justice Action has organized protests Friday at Lafayette Park and Saturday at Murrow Park. The group provided an estimate of 200 protesters in its permit applications to the National Park Service.
The ANSWER coalition, which has been a leading participant in anti-war protests, is organizing a protest Saturday outside the National Building Museum where the summit is being held. Protesters then plan to march to the Capitol to join a separate protest against California's recent referendum outlawing gay marriage.
Authorities plan to close several streets in downtown Washington Friday and Saturday nights in the vicinity of the National Building Museum, which is just a block or two away from Verizon Center, which is hosting a hockey game on Friday night and an AC/DC concert Saturday night.
WOW...Directed Energy, the stuff of Science Fiction and MArvel Comic Books...not exactly. I stumbled upon and article by David Hambling that suggests, even hints that the Secret Service is/has deployed Directed Energy Weapons as a part of their arsenal to protect President Obama. Realizing we could all be microwaved by an over zealous (and overly nervious)Secret Service, thought we should all know a bit about this DIRECTED ENERGY...in fact, it seems that the Air Force, Homeland Security and others are quite interested in Directed Energy as well...even more troublesome...there is a very real chance that the NEI, NRC and the owners of 104 dangerous trouble plaqued (and in some cases ready to FAIL)nuclear reactors are considering the use of Directed Energy weapons in crowd control should there be a significant accident at one of these facilities. In an interesting side note to all this...seems that a particular segment of the Army involved in Directed Energy is also providing Tritium Tracting services...sure would be interesting to find out if Indian Point and/or Entergy are using this service, or for that matter if NEI or NRC have availed themselves of the service in light of the fact that a LARGE NUMBER of America's aging nuclear reactors are beginning to have SERIOUS TRITIUM LEAKAGE PROBLEMS...could the NRC explain to me, a stakeholder how they can claim Tritium presents NO DANGER TO MY HEALTH if the Army is concerned enough about it to have the ability TO TRACK IT?
Secret Directed-Energy Tech Protecting the President?
The Secret Service is tasked with protecting the President of the United States from assailants; and given that President-elect Obama has already been the target of assassination plots they may have their work cut out after January. But they have more than earpiece radios and armored limos to help them; the Secret Service can call on the very latest technology. Documents from a recent court case indicate that they have advanced directed-energy devices which are highly classified.
You may remember Donald Friedman, who claims that government agencies are misusing non-lethal directed-energy weapons. It’s easy to dismiss him as a crank. But his obsessive digging has turned up valuable information. For instance, one of his Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests unearthed a 1998 U.S. Army program looking at a microwave device to beam sound directly into the target's skull which the rest of us had missed. (The same technology underlies the Medusa non-lethal weapon.)
Now he's found something else. Friedman's current court case involves attempts to extract information about any directed-energy weapons such as lasers and microwaves used by the Secret Service. Do they really have anything of the kind? A "Motion for an Enlargement of Time" (in other words, a request for a few more weeks) by the Secret Service's attorney indicates that they have something, and it's pretty secret:
"Plaintiff's FOIA request is for document [sic] concerning directed energy technology that is very sensitive. Some of this documents [sic] pertain to research conducted by divisions within defendant agency that is used to carry out its mandate to protect very high government officials. In fact, in one case, the documents… could not be mailed but had to be hand carried interstate."
So what is this "sensitive" technology? We don't know for sure, naturally. But we can sure speculate...
Now, we've talked before about the Secret Service's interest in laser dazzlers as a means of protecting the White House against suicide attacks by light aircraft, dating back to 1998. We don't know if dazzlers have ever been deployed, but that would certainly explain some of the secrecy.
Portable dazzlers would also be a good way of dealing with potential snipers without the risk of harming bystanders. Other agencies also have an interest in covert dazzlers. Ex MI6 agent David Tomlinson claims a laser strobe was proposed for an assassination attempt on Slobodan Milosevic in 1992 by dazzling his chauffeur at a crucial point and causing him to crash. (Conspiracy theorists claim that a laser dazzler was used to assassinate Diana, Princess of Wales — but any bright flashes more likely came from photographer's flashguns.)
A portable version of the truck-mounted Active Denial System — the Pentagon's "pain ray" — might be used to similar effect. It could cause an assailant to flinch for a vital second, giving agents an opportunity to get the President out of the line of fire, without having to shoot into a crowd. Raytheon has been working on a rifle-sized version of the Active Denial System for some years, but nothing has been heard of it recently.
Subscriptions to the unclassified Journal of Directed Energy, as well as past issues of the Journal, are available for purchase. Each subscription includes two issues. Currently, DEPS is able to distribute the unlcassified Journal of Directed Energy to DEPS members as a benefit of membership.
Obtaining Papers from the Classified Journal
The classified Journal of Directed Energy (Limited Edition) is a new journal and the first issue is not yet available. Once available, individual papers from the classified Journal will be made available to persons with the proper security credentials through the Directed Energy Engineering and Analysis Center (AFRL/RDTA). These papers will be free of charge and instructions on obtaining papers will be provided here at that time.
Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Applied Energetics is led by a passionate and creative team of scientists and engineers and is focused on providing real-world solutions in partnership with our customers.
Formed in 2002, the corporation specializes in the development and application of high power lasers, high voltage electronics, advanced optical systems, and energy management systems technologies. Applied Energetics pioneered the development of Laser Guided Energy®; man-made lightning technology for military and security applications. Additionally, the company is involved in a range of energy-based defense, industrial, scientific, and aerospace programs with customers worldwide.
The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “AERG”.
Government/Military Products and Technology
Defend. Protect. Preserve. The landscape of the modern battlefield has changed. Today’s battlefield isn’t a “field” anymore. It’s a city square, a neighborhood, or a crowded city. Today’s threats are often characterized by a non-state enemy who operates among a civilian population, in urban and congested areas, and uses unconventional means to inflict harm and damage.
These challenging conditions call for smart, sophisticated responses that are appropriate and proportional. The responses must be direct, humane and surgically precise while preserving valuable infrastructure. Applied Energetics offers Laser Guided Energy and its derivatives as transformational capabilities for use in this difficult military environment.
The Department of Defense has always been our primary customer and serving the DoD is the base of experience for our management team. We understand that full compliance with DoD business practices, audit requirements, accounting standards, and protection of sensitive and classified information is essential and core to our operations.
Contact us to learn more about the potential of this revolutionary technology and our other military and government products and applications.
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland AFB, N.M. is the U.S. Air Force's center of expertise in the range of technologies required for high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves, high-power millimeter waves and advanced optics. Associated technologies include optical imaging and communication technologies and modeling, simulation and effects studies. As the technical expert, the directorate also provides independent assessment and analysis of directed energy concepts for multiple Air Force customers. The directorate has a space optical site and high performance computing center on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
The Directed Energy Directorate concentrates on six major "product" lines or emphasis areas - technologies that can fulfill a wide range of defense needs. Defensively, these product lines can protect high-value and limited military assets. Offensively, they can strike at the speed of light with little or no collateral damage. Additionally, they can provide high-resolution imaging and sensing of an enemy's resources.
Counter Electronics - Disrupt adversaries' critical military and infrastructure electronics and communications equipment with little to no collateral damage utilizing radio frequency and high power microwaves
Force Protection - Protect U.S. Forces with directed energy shields and non-lethal weaponry to minimize casualties and reduce collateral damage
Long Range Strike - Identify, communicate and attack time critical targets anytime; anywhere
Precision Engagement - Provide scaleable effects from disrupt to destroy on a wide range of tactical targets with limited collateral damage
Space Control - Provide rapid knowledge of space situations for the combatant commander to ensure freedom of action in space
Commander USAG US Army White Sands Missile Range IMSW-WSM-HRM Building 465, Room 140 (Corner of Dyer and Rock Island Streets) WSMR, NM 88002 (575) 678-7645 DSN 258-7645
Region 1 provides test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE) calibration and repair support in a 15-state region in the Northeast U.S. servicing Army, DoD, and other Government agencies. Weapons systems supported include communications and electronics, tactical missiles and transportation systems. Region 1 also supports a large part of the Army's Research, Development and Engineering infrastructure.
TMDE Support Centers (TSC) provide secondary calibration services using state-of-the-art laboratories and calibration standards along with our extensive expertise in metrology, the science of measurement. Through our hierarchy of secondary transfer laboratories, secondary reference laboratories and the Army Primary Standards Laboratory, we maintain a chain of traceability to national standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Our 8 TSCs and subordinate TMDE Support Laboratories (TSL) are conveniently located at 8 Army installations throughout the region. We have equipment "pick-up and delivery" services for some customers.
Region 1 supports a large percentage of the Army’s industrial and research, development, and engineering activities, and one major FORSCOM installation. Region 1 also supports key communication activities supporting the nation’s command structure and associated national security and intelligence infrastructure.
Anti-personnel non lethal directed energy weapons include lasers, high power electro-magnetic pulse and directional acoustic weapons. One of the systems currently in use is the SaberShot laser dazzler – this hand held or weapon mounted low-power device uses 250Mw of 532nm green-laser. When directed at the target, the laser's optics temporarily expand to generate a blinding light which penetrates smoke, fog at twice the range of white light. Modulation of such high intensity light cause disorientation, dazzle and blink reaction that reduces the target's activity. Such weapon could be used to disorient and degrade performance of potential threats, such as snipers, or RPG launchers.
Northrop Grumman develops the full range of technologies needed for operational laser systems. From high-energy chemical lasers to solid state lasers, over thirty years of investment and development have extended the capabilities of lasers for wide range of defense and commercial applications. Read More
[PDF]INERTIAL CONFINEMENT ... The ICF program provides the experimental support for much of the core weapons program work on high-energy lasers in support of stockpile stewardship. ... lasers.llnl.gov/publications/icf_reports/annual_98.pdf - 2008-07-25
[PDF]INERTIAL CONFINEMENT ... and to support the nuclear weapons program in ... LANL, collaborate on high-energy- density physics ... and optics technology activities are directed towards providing ... lasers.llnl.gov/publications/icf_reports/annual_97.pdf - 2008-07-25
[PDF]INERTIAL CONFINEMENT ... primarily support ignition and weapons physics research. ... sources through inertial fusion energy (IFE) research ... use, including Laboratory Directed Research and ... lasers.llnl.gov/publications/icf_reports/annual_96.pdf - 2008-07-25
[PDF]ICF 00-Annual-LAYOUT ... The principal activities were directed toward developing tech ... general understanding of high-energy-density physics. ... On the other hand, the stimulated scattering ... lasers.llnl.gov/publications/icf_reports/annual_00_01.pdf - 2008-07-25
ARL's power and energy program provides technologies that enable lightweight compact power sources and high power density components to significantly reduce the logistics burden while increasing the survivability and lethality of the Soldiers and systems of mounted and dismounted forces of the Future Army. Research efforts include: improved compact, high power, and energy density primary and auxiliary power sources; high density power switching devices and components; and related energy storage and sources for Army lethality, survivability, mobility, and sustainability applications. Major investments include: power components for hybrid electric vehicles and pulse power, power sources for Soldier power and auxiliary power, and directed energy. This major laboratory program is executed in three technology areas.
Technology Areas:
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Platform, and Pulse Power
The development of compact E-bomb warheads, especially using HPM emitters, will permit their integration in a wide range of weapons. To date bombs, cruise missiles and artillery rounds have been proposed for the delivery of such devices. Depicted are some representative non-Western delivery systems and the most likely warhead packaging we can expect to observe (C. Kopp).
The U.S. Army is mounting Joint Silent Guardian non-lethal, directed energy weapons -- a derivative of the active denial system or "Pain Ray" -- on Ford 550 commercial trucks for crowd control. A lot is still undecided about how the small fleet of vehicle/weapon combinations will be used including whether they will go to urban areas of Iraq, officials say.
Directed energy weapons (DEWs) are systems that use a ray of energy (e.g. laser) to damage or destroy equipment, infrastructures and individuals. DEWs are suitable primarily to disable an opponent’s electronics, sensors, command and communication systems. There are different types of DEWs, but all have the following characteristics:
They can hit a target at the speed of the light. Many aim and fire problems are history.
Although some powerful DEWs require major investments (weapons technology and supporting infrastructure), the cost of actual use is relatively low.
The power of a DEW is controllable. Although more powerful types could cause great damage, it is also possible to provide precise fire power that will not necessarily lead to additional damage.
The expertise needed to produce some of these weapons, such as high power microwave devices (HPM), is fairly easy to obtain. In fact, many experiments are carried out using converted microwave ovens. Components are easily accessible and cheap, which makes HPM weapons attractive to terrorists, especially for the purpose of destroying infrastructural facilities.
Air Force Materiel Command AFRL - Directed Energy Directorate
:
BAA-08-RD-04
:
Presolicitation
:
Added: Oct 16, 2008 4:13 pm
PRESOLICITATION RELEASE NOTICE FOR COUNTER-ELECTRONICS HIGH POWER MICROWAVE ADVANCED MISSILE PROJECT (CHAMP) JOINT CAPABILITY TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION (JCTD)
16 October 2008
THIS IS AN ADVANCE NOTICE. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS PROVIDED TO GIVE INDUSTRY ADVANCE NOTICE OF AN ANTICIPATED BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
Description
A. INTRODUCTION. The High Power Microwave Technologies Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate (RD), Kirtland AFB New Mexico, is seeking innovative techniques and approaches for the development of non-lethal weapons technology that targets high valued electronic systems.
Combatant commanders (COCOMS) have expressed desires for additional military options against the variety of electronic systems that are used in military, industrial, civil, and asymmetrical applications. To provide viable military options to the COCOMS, the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate's High Power Microwave Division (AFRL/RDH) is seeking to develop and demonstrate the capability and operational utility of a high power microwave (HPM) aerial demonstrator.
The objective of this effort is to develop, test, and demonstrate a multi-shot and multi-target aerial HPM demonstrator that is capable of degrading, damaging, or destroying electronic systems. For this effort, the contractor shall develop a compact HPM payload for integration into an aerial platform. The contractor shall produce five aerial demonstrators. One aerial platform without the HPM source shall be developed for a flight test to demonstrate delivery, controllability, and fusing. The remaining four aerial platforms with the integrated HPM source shall be developed for flight testing, demonstration, and HPM effects tests. Of the four HPM prototypes one shall be used for ground tests, two shall be used for flight tests, and the remaining one shall be used as a back-up for the flight test. Offerors will be required to have SECRET level clearances, and some personnel must be clearable for access to RESTRICTED DATA, CRITICAL NUCLEAR WEAPON DESIGN INFORMATION, FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA, SCI, and Non-SCI.
B. The estimated total program budget for these efforts is approximately $40M over 39 months. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice.
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 $9M $17M $10M $4M
C. GENERAL INFORMATION. The government anticipates awarding one Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee completion effort contract, but reserves the right to award a procurement instrument best suited to the nature of the research proposal, or no awards pursuant to this BAA. The contract award is anticipated to be unclassified. In the event the government is unable to conclude negotiations with the apparent successful offeror, the government reserves the right to conduct negotiations with another offeror. If the offeror is a large business, any resultant contract will include a subcontracting plan, which must be submitted prior to award. In addition, AFMC 5352.209-9002, Organizational Conflict of Interest Clause, will be applicable, with probable inclusion of Alternates III and VI. The successful awardee may be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with the AFRL/RDOS support contractor to permit administrative access to proposal and contract data. It is anticipated a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification with a classification level of Secret will be required during the performance of this contract. Foreign-owned firms are excluded from participating. It is expected that contractors may have access to, or generate, data that is unclassified with limited distribution and/or subject to U.S. Export Control laws. Therefore, offerors will need to be certified by the Defense Logistics Information Services (DLIS) prior to award. Contact the US/Canada Joint Certification Office, DLIS, Federal Center, 74 Washington Ave, North, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-3084 (1-800-352-3572), or logon to http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp for further information on certification and the approval process. Also, DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, must be completed by the successful offeror and processed prior to award of a contract. All DOE Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) and DOD FFRDCs C3I Lab, Lincoln Laboratory or Software Engineering Institute may submit proposals in response to this solicitation. Other FFRDCs or contractors that propose using FFRDCs not discussed herein shall provide rationale in the proposal that research is within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort or special competency of the FFRDC and that the research to be performed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector. Offerors must mark their proposals with the restrictive language stated in FAR 52.215-1(e). For the purposes of this BAA, the business size standard is 500 employees, NAICS 541712. The acquisition is unrestricted, full and open competition. All firms responding to the subsequent solicitation shall state whether they are, or are not, a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, an 8(a) firm, a woman-owned business, a hubzone certified small business, a historically black college or university, a minority institution, a veteran-owned small business or a service-disabled veteran owned small business. Foreign owned firms are advised they will not be allowed to participate. There will be no opportunities for foreign owned sub-contractors as well.
Technical POC is Mr Robert Torres, 505-846-8054.
Contracting POCs are Ms Rita Varley, Contract Specialist, 505-846-4398 and Mr Kenneth West, Contracting Officer, 505-846-4626.
Projected date for release of solicitation is November 2008.
Active Denial is a revolutionary non-lethal protection system that employs millimeter wave technology to repel individuals without causing injury. The system provides a zone of protection that saves lives, protects assets and minimizes collateral damage. Active Denial emits a focused beam of wave energy that travels at the speed of light and produces an intolerable heating sensation that causes targeted individuals to flee. The sensation immediately ceases when the targeted individual moves away from the beam.
Raytheon has produced and delivered three Active Denial Systems to the U.S. Air Force customer. Raytheon has also built one Silent Guardian™ system that is roughly 1/3 the size and power of the other Active Denial Systems.
Active Denial and Silent Guardian are part of a family of Directed Energy solutions produced by Raytheon. Those solutions include the Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection System, Laser Area Defense System and Direct Infrared Counter Measure Systems.
Silent Guardian uses millimeter-wave technology to stop, deter or repel adversaries threatening our forces or sensitive infrastructure.
Vigilant Eagle creates a protective zone around airports to safeguard aircraft when they are at their most vulnerable – on take off and landing. Vigilant Eagle is based on a high-powered microwave beam that can be dispatched from a ground station to deflect shoulder-fired missiles away from aircraft.
The Laser Area Defense System (LADS) combines the capabilities of the 20-millimeter Phalanx weapon system with the power and effectiveness of lasers to provide fast, precise search, track and engage capabilities for directing laser energy on target, destroying mortars and other munitions in flight.
Quiet Eyes, a baseball-sized turret that can be mounted on combat helicopters, uses a laser beam to disrupt shoulder-fired missiles.
SAIC: National Security: Domain Expertise SAIC's national security efforts reach across all branches of the military and support the full spectrum of military operations. http://www.saic.com/natsec/domain.html
SAIC Is Lead Systems Integrator on Award-Winning Joint Services Project : The revolutionary nature of new weapon systems using high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves presents a new challenge to the U.S. military: how to effectively test and evaluate these systems. The Directed Energy Test and Evaluation Capability (DETEC) Project was formed to meet that challenge, and SAIC was awarded the contract to serve as the project's lead systems integrator.
The Guardian Installation Protection Program is managed by the Joint Project Manager Guardian (JMPG) for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD). Working under the JPMG, SAIC will provide an integrated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection (CBRN) capability at 200 Department of Defense (DoD) installations and facilities worldwide. Please visit the Vendor Registration Site if you are interested in providing products and/or services.
Seaport Security: Each year, more than two billion metric tons of cargo move through U.S. ports. Learn how SAIC is using technology to improve the security of U.S. harbors, ports, coasts, and marine installations.
Learn about how SAIC's Unmanned Vehicle Technology can offer streamlined and safer operations to emergency response and defense operations and at the same time reduce unnecessary risk to personnel. Semi- and autonomous robotic platforms are being developed that can penetrate physically prohibitive areas and even serve as an extension of the human soldier.
US Navy Evaluates Metal Strom's FireStorm Non Lethal Weapon Launcher
The Australian weapon developer Metal Storm International (MSI) completed a demonstration of non lethal weapon system utilizing its rapid fire 'Metal Storm' system. The company was one of two companies invited toparticipate in a Market Research Demonstration (MRD) for the US Marine Corps System Command’s Mission Payload Module – Non Lethal Weapon System program, assessing the maturity level of new technologies. Following the MRD, the U.S. Government plans to solicit proposals for the System Development and Demonstration Phase (SDD). (more...)
Nonionizing Directed Energy Bioeffects
The human eye is the most important sensor on the modern battlefield. Increased international use of laser-guided weaponry and the potential or known health hazards of emerging anti-eye weapons demands development and fielding of medical treatment tools to protect the sight and skin of Soldiers engaged in modern military operations. Retinal injury from frequency agile laser weapons systems and laser-tissue interactions from infrared systems exposure require immediate assessment and treatment, pharmacological and surgical interventions, and post-injury vision and performance evaluation. To protect eyesight of the Soldier, this Program Area explores and develops prognostic and diagnostic applications to protect against retinal cell injury or reduce neural element loss after injury, medical treatment strategies for laser eye injury, and tests the feasibility of advanced neuroprotectant pharmaceutical agents developed under the Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP) to minimize or reverse adverse consequences to the Soldier of eye or skin exposure to nonionizing directed energy.
Setting aside the disturbing thought that our government spy agencies are buying their goods from GOOGLE and other such mapping companies, I'll comment on the meat of this article..it is more than disturbing to think that Terrorists are capable (for a few bucks) to have the same detailed views of our American cities that our CIA, FBI and NSA can have of terrorist hide aways. But then, OBama isn't even concerned about securing our Southern Border with Mexico, seems content to let 12-25 Million illegal alien malcontents to stay in America, grant them Amnesty agains the will of the people, so does it REALLY MATTER?
Google Earth Helps and Worries Government
Photos Captured By Government Satellites Now Accessible On Internet
The secretive National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is rushing to get the latest, high-definition satellite photos of Afghanistan into the hands of U.S. ground troops as they ramp up operations in the country's tangled terrain.
The NGA analysts aren't tapping the government's huge network of highly classified spy satellites; they're getting the pictures from commercial vendors. That's the same stuff pretty much anyone can get, either through free, online programs, such as Google Earth, or by buying it from the same companies supplying Uncle Sam.
It's a remarkable turn, given the warnings that security experts in the USA and worldwide raised a few years ago about giving the entire planet — terrorists and rogue states included — access to high-resolution satellite photos once available only to superpowers.
Just watched a video over on ABC, and the Obama needs to END THEIR SELFISHNESS and sell their home in Hyde Park area of Chicago. With all due respect to the future President, it is totally unfair to expect all the citizens living within FIVE BLOCKS of your home to be completely inconvenienced for the next 4-8 years. American citizens have RIGHTS, and it is patently unfair for you, your family, and the Secret Service to expect them to sacrifice those rights so that you can maintain your inner city residence in the Chicago area.
Winter coming, and citizens inconvenienced because the Secret Service decides their bus stop must be moved! Homeowners not allowed to FREELY drive their cars to and from their homes, park in front of their own houses because of the security risk THAT YOU POSE. Christmas coming, and families cannot have company over for dinner without some MAJOR inconveniences...as example, guests have to park outside of the security zone, walk to the security zone, then be ESCORTED to your home for dinner.
When Bill and Hillary purchased their home in Chappaqua (about eight miles from here) at the end of a culdesack, there were some minor inconveniences, but nothing like what Barack Obama's neighbors are being forced to endure. These neighbors need to get themselves and attorney and seek a TRO against the Secret Service and Barack Obama...their full use and enjoyment of their property is being majorly impacted, and that amounts to a taking without due process of law.
Sorry Obama, but stop SCREWING YOUR NIEGHBORS that live within five blocks of your abode by moving out and selling the house.
Was on another one of my blogs this evening and a You Tube Obama family video piece had disappeared, so I went right to You Tube to check for it...when I pulled the video up, got a message saying it was NO LONGER AVAILABLE...so checked two more videos that showed Barack with his family (wife and children) and they also WERE GONE. So the question is, do we have You Tube and the Secret Service beginning to erase things from the public arena even if those things were gathered and placed on You Tube LEGALLY, and if so, at who's request?
Who does Western Carolina University think they are KIDDING? The cold hearted and calculated murder of an innocent Black Bear Cub was premeditated HATE SPEECH, a racially motivated crime against America, and the campaign staff of Barack Obama. Watching this story unfold, it is CLEAR that Western Carolina University is trying to COVER UP THE STORY, MAKE IT GO AWAY with little or no national notice given to the story!
First, why would any properly trained Security force contact the State Wildlife Division to get rid of/destroy evidence? Is this unfortunate episode not good for CAMPUS MORAL? Or does the campus (at least parts of it) find such hate filled symbolism proper in the course of political campaigns? A BLACK BEAR was shot in the HEAD! Then said bear was decorated in Obama Campaign posters (including a hat) and dumped at the main focal point of the campus, and less than a block from Obama Headquarters according to some reports. Yet, we have Leila Tvedt the ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR, a SUPPOSEDLY EDUCATED WOMAN claiming to the press, "We cannot speculate on the motives"...my ASS Ms. Leila Tvedt, you know EXACTLY WHAT THE MOTIVE IS, and the campus does not have the BALLS to SPELL IT OUT! Let me take a guess...some in your community still think it is OK to use phrases such as, "Who does that uppidity negro think he is"? Or do you think your campus is exhibiting tolerance is being accepting of views that don't necessarily match those held by your staff, or the college?
Dead bear covered with Obama signs found at school police at Western Carolina University and wildlife officials were investigating the discovery early Monday of a dead bear cub draped with a pair of Barack Obama campaign signs.
Leila Tvedt, associate vice chancellor for public relations, said Monday night that maintenance workers found the 75-pound bear cub shot to death in front of the school's administration building at the entrance to campus. The Obama yard signs were stapled together and placed over the bear's head, Tvedt said.
The bear had been shot in the head, Tvedt said.
"Western Carolina University deplores the inappropriate behavior that has led to this troubling incident," Tvedt said. "We cannot speculate on the motives of the people involved nor who those people might be. Campus police are cooperating fully with authorities to investigate this matter."
University police called in state Wildlife Resources officials to remove the body and help in the investigation.
Bear season is under way in western North Carolina.
A black bear cub has been found DEAD, a bullet shot through its head...even more disturbing, the body was found covered with two Obama campaign signs that had been stapled together. Seems that the Campus Police have called in the Department of Wildlife Resources to investigate the incident which occured on the campus of Western Carolina University in North Carolina!
Let me get this straight...a dead black bear, a bullet shot through the head is found with TWO OBAMA posters covering its body, and campus security DOES NOT CALL IN THE SECRET SERVICE? Are you FUCKING Crazy? This is not a deer poached out of season, or a bear improperly bagged...this is a hate incident, perhaps could be seen as a threat against the future President of the United States of America! UPDATE...apparently the signs were TAPED to the bear, not stapled, and that another sign had been used to make the bear a hat. Meanwhile, some in the local community are wanting to write this incident off as a PRANK (albiet a sick one).
CULLOWHEE - Police at Western Carolina University say a dead bear cub was found dumped on the campus draped with a pair of Barack Obama campaign signs.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Tom Johnson, chief of university police, said maintenance workers reported about 7:45 a.m. Monday finding the 75-pound cub dumped at a roundabout near the Catamount statue at the entrance to campus.
Johnson said it appeared the bear cub had been shot in the head, and that two Obama signs had been stapled together and stuck over the animal's head. Johnson was not available for further comment Monday evening.
University police called in state Wildlife Resources officials to remove the body and help in the investigation.
Bear season is under way in western North Carolina.
In a story breaking out into the Blogosphere, seems Dana Milbank of the Washington Post has let the cat out of the bag that the Secret Service is not doing their job. Seems that the Secret Service is so busy keeping reporters in their pen, and away from Sarah Palin that they are failing (deliberately) to get the names of the people hurtling verbal threats in Senator Obama's direction such as "Kill Him". OK, I can buy that, and I can agree that the Secret Service should not keep reporters from interviewing people in the crowd.
Conversely, I would accuse Dana and the rest of the press from failing themselves in their duties. A blogger put together a picture of Obama and a Noose and posted it to the internet with the caption, "The Fucking Solution". Some of us contacted the Secret Service (who apparently is DOING NOTHING), and many more of us have blogged about it. Yet, this egregious assault on humanity, this most viscious of hate speech has been completely ignored by the major media. A noose appears on a college campus, and it is front page news, and makes the six o'clock news, but let some nut job post Obama and a Noose on his blog, and they are fine with that? Or did they leave the story alone because it happened in the heat of an election. Seems to me, that if Dana is going to throw stones in the direction of the Secret Service, he should throw a few at himself as well.
Dana Milbank
Washington Post Columnist Thursday, October 16, 2008; 1:00 PM
Post columnist Dana Milbank serves as the capital's foremost critic of political theater in his Washington Sketch columns and videos. He was online live Thursday, Oct 16 at 1 p.m. ET to take your questions and comments about the things politicians say -- and the absurd ways they find to say them.
Dana Milbank:
Glad you asked, because I saw this earlier. This is actually about the incident in Scranton, not the one in Clearwater, Fla, that I wrote about here.
I wasn't at the Scranton event, but I have to say the Secret Service is in dangerous territory here. In cooperation with the Palin campaign, they've started preventing reporters from leaving the press section to interview people in the crowd. This is a serious violation of their duty -- protecting the protectee -- and gets into assisting with the political aspirations of the candidate. It also often makes it impossible for reporters to get into the crowd to question the people who say vulgar things. So they prevent reporters from getting near the people doing the shouting, then claim it's unfounded because the reporters can't get close enough to identify the person.
Has the time come for the Secret Service to bring Sarah Palin in for questing? She has been fomenting hate out on the campaign trail now for weeks, deliberately fanning the flames of hatred, re-igniting old prejudices as she spreads her racist message of hate. Today at her rally in Pennsylvania as Chris Hackett whipped the crowd into a heated frenzy, bringing the orgy of hate to a fever pitch, teasing them to orgasm with the name OBAMA, he gained his desired effect as a blood curdling scream erupted from the crowd, "KILL HIM". Leave no doubt, the McCain Campaign is driving this hate juggenaut, the McCain Campaign has unleashed it's bigoted hate spewing Pit Bull, and she is not satisfied with lip stick on her lips, she wants the taste of Obama's blood, will not be satisfied until she has seen her followers bring her Obama's head, take his life in her name.
Multiple TPM Readers are flagging this blood-curdling moment at a Sarah Palin rally in Pennsylvania today, courtesy of the Times-Tribune:
Chris Hackett addressed the increasingly feisty crowd as they await the arrival of Gov. Palin.
Each time the Republican candidate for the seat in the 10th Congressional District mentioned Barack Obama the crowd booed loudly.
One man screamed "kill him!"
No word on whether Hackett, who was -- ahem -- warming up the crowd for Palin, suggested that this isn't really considered acceptable political rhetoric.
I was going to write about the breaking Huffiington Post article on McCain Camp's teaching their volunteers to compare Senator Obama to Bin Laden, but found something I find FAR MORE DISTURBING. You can read about it here (McCain Volunteers Taught to Accuse Obama of Terrorism ) rather than me boring you with a lead in to their and Time story. Instead, want to share with you a story found on a site wherein they have created a picture that shows Obama and a hangman's noose that I find VERY DISTURING...do hope that the FBI and Secret Service are looking into this?
This photograph was not put out onto the internet in a fit of anger...the poster of the offensive racist creation had actually posted it up before, then removed it for a bit of time before REPOSTING it...as their own post admits. Seems they are a bit upset at some of the humor going around in regards to Sarah Palin. They apparently do not realize there is a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE between tasteless humor, and racist threatening images that incite people to hate. I would really like to know my readers opinions on this image, on this post from both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats. From my perspective, this picture goes WAY BEYOND crossing a line.
I have stood silently and have tried to keep out of this foray as much as I possibly could.
But I cannot any longer. It seems that there are some on the left, who seem to think that it is cute to make graphics about punching Sarah Palin in the Mouth. (Hat Tip to Michelle)
On the other hand, I did scold John McCain a bit for whipping his crowds up in to the frenzy and then confronted with the more ugly aspects of that frenzy, he sought to quell it.
However, it seems that there are those on the left, who want to turn this into an ugly election about race. I say, let us give them what they want. Seeing Obama’s Black friends are trying to compare John McCain to a highly racist Alabama Governor from the 1960’s.
They want racism? It does seem that way. Since the left wants to make nasty drawings of violence towards women, I figure it is only fair to do this.
I originally made this graphic a while back when this issue raised it’s ugly head before, but I quickly pulled it, because I felt I would be adding to the poison of the situation. But it has become clear that the left is not interested in running an honorable campaign, so, I think it is time to fight fire, with fire.
Here it is, in all it’s nasty glory, taking every nuance to the next level:
Apparently Michele Malkin sees nothing wrong with race baiting and hate since she has put a link to this offending post on her web site...she of course excuses doing so with a small disclaimer wherein she says I don't necessarily share these views, but am just sharing them with my readers. Curious Michele, did you by any chance take the time to let either the Secret Service or FBI know that a blogger had created a picture of Obama coupled with a hangman's noose, and if not, WHY NOT?
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
THE PLOT THICKENS...supposedly/conveniently the owner of the site where this offensive race baiting/hating post originated pulled the offensive post...sort of as you can see below. The owner then moves it to another post wherein he says, blah, blah, blah I did not know, and have REMOVED THIS PICTURE FROM MY SITE, and then reposts the PICTURE! Who does he think he is kidding?
As most of you know I’ve been traveling the last several days and not paying as much attention to the blog as I normally do. Over the weekend one SAB reader who has been active on the Reader Blog wrote a post with the following image in it:
I wasn’t aware of this post until late this evening when another reader emailed me about its existence. The graphic was posted on my site, but I didn’t create it. I didn’t have any knowledge of it until tonight. And I do not condone it. Say Anything, much like Daily Kos and Red States with their reader “diaries,” has an open “Reader Blogs” section where any reader can put up their own posts. That is where this post appeared.
I have removed that post over the protestations of the author who has labeled me a “coward.” Unfortunately I did not take the post down before it was noticed by bloggers at The Daily Kos and MyDD (among other places) who are, humorously enough, now calling on John McCain to apologize for it.
Because apparently John McCain is responsible for what random internet nuts post on open blog forums.
They’re also submitting links to that post to places like Digg and Reddit in a vain attempt to use it as evidence to shore up the “sowing seeds of hatred” narrative they’ve been trying to manufacture these last few days.
Because they’d rather talk about that than Obama’s long-standing ties to terrorists and political extremists.
Say Anything, as you all know, is a wide-open forum. We tolerate all ideological viewpoints here, even ones that some find objectionable, but calling for the death of politicians is where I draw the line.
I will continue to tolerate all ideological viewpoints here, but I will not tolerate attempts to further a political agenda through threats of violence.
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