military industrial complex

Is Apple Becoming A War Profiteer?

"Apple has some cozy relationships with the U.S. government. Last month, CEO Tim Cook had a nice seat at Obama's State of The Union Address. There's the online Apple Store for Government, where federal employees and military personnel can get special pricing (paging Laurence Vance). There's having Al 'Global Warming Climate Change' Gore on the Board of Directors. There's the 8 million iPads sold to indoctrination centers (aka "schools"). And now (1 month after Obama's speech) news comes out that the U.S. Army has an order for 650,000 iOS devices." Continue reading →

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NASA slams spending cuts that put Earth at risk of undetected killer asteroids

"A trio of experts testified before the House Science Committee of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday and warned that the detection and early warning of approaching Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and other threats from space is imperiled by current political wrangling over the national budget. Holdren, Shelton and Bolden emphasized that while odds of a devastating strike from an object from space are small, the consequences could be enormous. While dozens of objects a meter or more in size strike the Earth’s atmosphere every year, most burn up harmlessly in the upper limits of the stratosphere." Continue reading →

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Leaked report: Nearly half of US drone strikes in Pakistan not against al-Qaeda

"A trove of leaked classified reports has confirmed what many had suspected – US drone kills in Pakistan are not the precision strikes against top-level al-Qaeda terrorists they are portrayed as by the Obama administration. Instead, many of the attacks are aimed at suspected low-level tribal militants, who may pose no direct danger to the United States – and for many there appears to be little evidence to justify the assassinations. The statistics illustrate the breadth of the US ‘drone doctrine’ – which has never been defined by consecutive US administrations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLeaked report: Nearly half of US drone strikes in Pakistan not against al-Qaeda

The Internet-Homeland Security Power Center Revolving Door

"The second-ranking official at the Department of Homeland Security said she will resign shortly, ending four years as a champion of a civilian-controlled Internet. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Jane Holl Lute, the sole deputy secretary at Homeland Security, said on Monday she would give notice this week and leave to pursue a role in international Internet affairs. Lute said that she was leaving with the department on a strong footing in Internet matters, with its central role cemented by an executive order on cybersecurity issued by President Barack Obama in February." Continue reading →

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CISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

"The lawmakers said they would insert a more narrow definition of national security in the bill. The amendments would also seek to clarify that Internet firms could only use data about threats for cybersecurity purposes, not for marketing or other commercial uses, and would give more oversight to privacy officers at federal agencies. Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy and Technology said the changes failed to address one key concern — that information could be accessed by the top-secret National Security Agency, a branch of the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

Boston Dynamics’ Terminator-like ‘PETMAN’ robot tests chemical suits

"Defense contractor Boston Dynamics has new video of its Terminator-like 'PETMAN' robot standing, walking, posing and… wearing a chemical protection suit, for some reason. The project is funded in part by the Defense Department’s Chemical and Biological Defense program, CNet reported Monday. Despite the apparent usefulness in testing chemical suits in potentially hazardous conditions, it’s likely not the PETMAN’s only objective. All seeming motility aside, this thing is downright creepy to watch in action." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoston Dynamics’ Terminator-like ‘PETMAN’ robot tests chemical suits

The Growing Militarization Of U.S. Police

"As politicians exploit the Newtown tragedy to promote new laws to restrict firearms and implement universal background checks that could lead to gun registration and confiscation, another parallel trend– namely, the increasing militarization of law enforcement, most visibly demonstrated by the growing use of massive, SWAT-type raids on businesses and individuals, sometimes with federal involvement or authorization – is heightening concerns that America is moving toward a police state. The increased militarization of police forces and the associated use of SWAT teams for routine law enforcement are a dangerous trend." Continue reading →

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Anti-drone protests kick off in San Diego

"From coast-to-coast, human rights activists have launched a month-long protest against the use drones by the US government. Throughout the month of April, the 'Days of Action' demonstrations will take it to the companies behind the construction of these robots in the sky. RT's Ramon Galindo brings us more from San Diego, California." Continue reading →

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BionicOpter dragonfly drone flutters about, blows minds

"Festo isn't quite the household name that Boston Dynamics is. (And, really, we're not entirely sure Big Dog is a regular topic of conversation at dinner tables yet.) But, it certainly deserves just as much attention for the work they're doing with robotics. After crafting a machine last year that soared around like a herring gull, now the company has created BionicOpter. The 17.3-inch long dragonfly drone can flutter through the air in any direction, and even hover, just like its biological inspiration." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBionicOpter dragonfly drone flutters about, blows minds