Technological breakthrough in airline security

[Midway ®]

Great new idea to keep you 100% safe:

By P. Jeffrey Black and Jeffrey Denning

Just when you thought you’ve heard it all...

A senior government official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed great interest in a so-called safety bracelet that would serve as a stun device, similar to that of a police Taser®. According to this promotional video found at the Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. website, the bracelet would be worn by all airline passengers (video also shown below).

This bracelet would:

• Take the place of an airline boarding pass

• Contain personal information about the traveler

• Be able to monitor the whereabouts of each passenger and his/her luggage

• Shock the wearer on command, completely immobilizing him/her for several minutes

The Electronic ID Bracelet, as it’s referred to, would be worn by every traveler “until they disembark the flight at their destination.”  Yes, you read that correctly. Every airline passenger would be tracked by a government-funded GPS, containing personal, private and confidential information, and would shock the customer worse than an electronic dog collar if the passenger got out of line.

Clearly the Electronic ID Bracelet is a euphemism for the EMD Safety Bracelet, or at least it has a nefarious hidden ability (thus the term ID Bracelet is ambiguous at best). EMD stands for Electro-Musclar Disruption. Again, according to the promotional video, the bracelet can completely immobilize the wearer for several minutes.

So is the government really that interested in this bracelet?

Apparently so.

According to this letter from DHS official, Paul S. Ruwaldt of the Science and Technology Directorate, office of Research and Development, which was written to the inventor whom he had previously met with, Ruwaldt wrote, “To make it clear, we [the federal government] are interested in . . . the immobilizing security bracelet, and look forward to receiving a written proposal.”

The letterhead, in case you were wondering, is from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security office at the William J. Hughes Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport, or the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters.

In another part of the letter, Mr. Ruwaldt confirmed, “In addition, it is conceivable to envision a use to improve air security, on passenger planes.”

Would every paying airline passenger flying on a commercial airplane be mandated to wear one of these devices? I cringe at the thought. Not only could it be used as a physical restraining device, but also as a method of interrogation, according to the same aforementioned letter from Mr. Ruwaldt.

Would you let them put one of those on your wrist? Would you allow the airline employees, which would be mandated by the government, to place such a bracelet on any member of your family?

Why are tax dollars being spent on something like this?

Is this a police state or is this America?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/aviation-security/2008/Jul/01/want-some-torture-with-your-peanuts/

[BridgeTroll]

I oppose this...

[Eazy E]

I cannot take seriously anything coming from the Washington Times.

[KenFSU]

It seems as if it would have to be a joke, but it's a legit story, about a month old. Several other mainstream media outlets have reported on it as well. If you go to YouTube, you can find the promotional video on the technology and several newscasts about these bracelets.

Amongst the most terrible ideas imaginable.

Between airport security and border agents (who the DHS has now authorized to confiscate and check your laptops, digital cameras, cell phones, Ipods, jump drives, memory cards, etc.), it's becoming increasingly more difficult and more uncomfortable to travel in this country.

That's a scary sign.

I'd rather take my chances with the eViL terRorIsts~!

Further, if some airline opened that found a way to circumvent the TSA and would allow me to fly wherever I wanted in the country without being forced to show my ID or submit to the degrading security process of being patted down, analyzed, searched, thrown through multiple detectors, and generally just being subjected to the intimidation of the TSA goons, I'd gladly pay whatever premium they asked.

[Ocklawaha]

I can just see it now, Trolley cars with wired seats. Get out of line and the motorman flips a switch and ZAP! 600 Volts DC... your dead.

OCKLAWAHA

[Lunican]

It's called an Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) Bracelet. It increases public safety and makes traveling more convenient. How could anyone be against it?

http://www.youtube.com/v/knLWDIKA2_g

[The Compound]

Yeah, then next they will have us wearing those 24/7, instead of carrying a drivers lisence or passport.

[BridgeTroll]

Lunican thinks it is a good idea...

[Lunican]

I was skeptical until I saw the video. It's a win-win with safety AND convenience!

[BridgeTroll]

I was skeptical until I saw the video. It's a win-win with safety AND convenience!

Would it not be easier if we just implanted devices like this at birth.  Think of how peaceful our schools will be... cops will not need guns... perhaps the parents of children could use them...  or your boss at work could just give ya a little zap...

[Doctor_K]

Yeah, then next they will have us wearing those 24/7, instead of carrying a drivers lisence or passport.

Agree.  We're standing on the precipice of a very dangerous chasm here.  I don't like where this has the potential to head. 

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin:
"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both."

[Lunican]

[BridgeTroll]

I am surprised you want to be next in line to wear one of those... woof woof...

[Midway ®]

I cannot take seriously anything coming from the Washington Times.

What are you, crazy??  The WashTimes is one of the most respected resources for far right info.

Actually, this article is kind of out of character for them, in that it actually makes sense.  Just goes to show that even a roomful of monkeys pounding on typewriters will produce something readable occasionally.

In 2000, you would not have wanted to be searched and surveilled constantly either. You are just one "incident" away form this technology being acceptable to you and everybody else. All you need is a little more "scare" to motivate you. Just a small tactical nuke somewhere, maybe, and you'll see just how fast you'll be snapping on that dog collar around your neck.

[BridgeTroll]

I cannot take seriously anything coming from the Washington Times.

What are you, crazy??  The Washpost is one of the most respected resources for far right info.

Actually, this article is kind of out of character for them, in that it actually makes sense.  Just goes to show that even a roomful of monkeys pounding on typewriters will produce something readable occasionally.

In 2000, you would not have wanted to be searched and surveilled constantly either. You are just one "incident" away form this technology being acceptable to you and everybody else. All you need is a little more "scare" to motivate you. Just a small tactical nuke somewhere, maybe, and you'll see just how fast you'll be snapping on that dog collar around your neck.

Sounds like you will be second in line...