activistpost--2020-01-08--Opposing Iran War Doesn’t Make You Conservative or Liberal, It Makes You Smart

Despite the establishment telling Americans otherwise , the United States is marching directly into a major conflict with Iran that could have catastrophic implications .
The two-party paradigm ’ s grip on Trump supporters has them shifting from previously supporting Trump ’ s anti-intervention stance on which he campaigned , into full on support for a senseless and dangerous war .
This is the exact same scenario that unfolded with Obama when he turned the antiwar Left into pro-war interventionists .
If you stand against this escalation , according to the establishment , you are anti-America .
But in reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To those foolish enough to be supporting such idiotic war games , consider the fact that Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan or Syria or Libya .
Iran ’ s military is ranked as the 14th most powerful armed forces in the world by Global Firepower ’ s 2019 Military Strength Ranking .
A war with them would not resemble that of a war with Iraq .
Instead , Americans would see large scale cyber attacks on our infrastructure , clandestine operations carried out inside the United States , and potential nuclear fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are likely .
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard , who deployed on two combat tours to Iraq , painted the picture perfectly in a tweet pointing out that a war with Iran would make the Iraq war look like a picnic .
“ As someone who understands the situation in Iraq and Syria , I can tell you that if we do not get our troops out of Iraq and Syria now , we will be dragged deeper and deeper into a quagmire and war that will make the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We agree .
This entire debacle started over “ top secret ” claims that the US was under an impending threat from Qassim Soleimani and his forces .
Americans were never once shown any evidence of this .
We are merely supposed to believe them and then go off and die in a war for them .
What ’ s more , this “ most dangerous man in the world ” was praised by America just four years ago as his Quds Forces not only helped push back ISIS in Iraq , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To those paying attention , and not buying the same lies , quite literally , that got us into both quagmires in Afghanistan and Iraq , this march to war with Iran started well before Trump came into office .
Iran is a country who is rich in resources and operates outside of the US Dollar .
This makes them an enemy to the establishment and slated for invasion .
It has been the plan since Bill Clinton was in office and was documented in the neoconservative PNAC report .
This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO , that the U.S. planned on going to war with Iran , according to a 2001 memo from the U.S. Secretary of Defense .
“ This is a memo that describes how we ’ re going to take out seven countries in five years , ” Clark said .
“ Starting with Iraq , and then Syria , Lebanon , Libya , Somalia , Sudan , and finishing off with Iran.
” Now , we have Mike Pompeo regurgitating the same lines Dick Cheney used to convince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good idea .
Last week , Pompeo on CNN said the US has “ every expectation ” that people “ in Iran will view the American action last night ( assassinating a general beloved by the country ) as giving them freedom.
” Sound familiar ?
It should .
In 2003 , Dick Cheney said the same thing .
“ I think things have gotten so bad inside Iraq , from the standpoint of the Iraqi people , my belief is we will , in fact , be greeted as liberators .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively quickly , .
.
.
( in ) weeks rather than months , ” he said .
The “ weeks ” have turned into 17 years and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost while accomplishing nothing .
Now , these same people are salivating over a similar but far more dangerous intervention in Iran and somehow many Americans think it will be different this time .
Spoiler alert : It won ’ t .
The only thing different this time is the lack of support from US allies around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to launch World War III .
As Thomas Luongo points out : The time is now for Americans to wake up and realize that a war with Iran , with no support from other countries , will make America the bad guys .
Iran isn ’ t invading other countries and bombing them .
America is .
Iran isn ’ t assassinating foreign leaders on peace missions .
America is .
Iran isn ’ t building bases around the world and bending nations to their will through threats and drone strikes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Iran war stance as support for Iran .
This is the tactic of the establishment .
You can be against the Iranian state and still be against the war .
You can be a Democrat and be against the war just like you can be a Republican and be against the war .
It ’ s called thinking for yourself and realizing that this war will be hell .
Iran is no bastion of freedom , but this conflict that will result from further provocation with them will be far worse than any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East .
Supporting this war makes you complicit in the hellish reality that will ensue .
It makes you the opposite of a patriot .
It makes you a sheep being willingly led off to slaughter .
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA .
This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state .
Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project , where this article first appeared .
Follow @ MattAgorist on Twitter , Steemit , and now on Minds .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Matt Agorist
Despite the establishment telling Americans otherwise, the United States is marching directly into a major conflict with Iran that could have catastrophic implications. The two-party paradigm’s grip on Trump supporters has them shifting from previously supporting Trump’s anti-intervention stance on which he campaigned, into full on support for a senseless and dangerous war. This is the exact same scenario that unfolded with Obama when he turned the antiwar Left into pro-war interventionists. If you stand against this escalation, according to the establishment, you are anti-America. But in reality, you’re just smart.
To those foolish enough to be supporting such idiotic war games, consider the fact that Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan or Syria or Libya. Iran’s military is ranked as the 14th most powerful armed forces in the world by Global Firepower’s 2019 Military Strength Ranking. A war with them would not resemble that of a war with Iraq. Instead, Americans would see large scale cyber attacks on our infrastructure, clandestine operations carried out inside the United States, and potential nuclear fallout. Hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties are likely.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who deployed on two combat tours to Iraq, painted the picture perfectly in a tweet pointing out that a war with Iran would make the Iraq war look like a picnic.
“As someone who understands the situation in Iraq and Syria, I can tell you that if we do not get our troops out of Iraq and Syria now, we will be dragged deeper and deeper into a quagmire and war that will make the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic,” she wrote. We agree.
This entire debacle started over “top secret” claims that the US was under an impending threat from Qassim Soleimani and his forces. Americans were never once shown any evidence of this. We are merely supposed to believe them and then go off and die in a war for them. What’s more, this “most dangerous man in the world” was praised by America just four years ago as his Quds Forces not only helped push back ISIS in Iraq, but lead the action to do it.
Just 4 years ago, CNN correctly praised #Soleimani for being the driving force defeating ISIS. Today Neocons call him a “terrorist” with zero evidence to sell another disastrous War & expect you to believe them without question.#IranvsUSA#IranAttackspic.twitter.com/ZUx48QUUlE — Ian56 (@Ian56789) January 8, 2020
To those paying attention, and not buying the same lies, quite literally, that got us into both quagmires in Afghanistan and Iraq, this march to war with Iran started well before Trump came into office. Iran is a country who is rich in resources and operates outside of the US Dollar. This makes them an enemy to the establishment and slated for invasion.
It has been the plan since Bill Clinton was in office and was documented in the neoconservative PNAC report. This was even admitted by General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, that the U.S. planned on going to war with Iran, according to a 2001 memo from the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
“This is a memo that describes how we’re going to take out seven countries in five years,” Clark said. “Starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and finishing off with Iran.”
Now, we have Mike Pompeo regurgitating the same lines Dick Cheney used to convince Americans that war with Iraq was a good idea. Last week, Pompeo on CNN said the US has “every expectation” that people “in Iran will view the American action last night (assassinating a general beloved by the country) as giving them freedom.” Sound familiar? It should.
In 2003, Dick Cheney said the same thing. “I think things have gotten so bad inside Iraq, from the standpoint of the Iraqi people, my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators. . . . I think it will go relatively quickly, . . . (in) weeks rather than months,” he said. The “weeks” have turned into 17 years and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost while accomplishing nothing.
Now, these same people are salivating over a similar but far more dangerous intervention in Iran and somehow many Americans think it will be different this time. Spoiler alert: It won’t.
The only thing different this time is the lack of support from US allies around the world who are watching in dismay as America attempts to launch World War III. As Thomas Luongo points out:
Normally when something like this happens the U.S. has all of its allies lined up with statements at the ready. A gaggle of the usual suspects behind lecterns pledging support replete with the requisite hand-wringing and virtue signaling. That didn’t happen this time. Only arm-twisting by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cajoled a few lukewarm responses from European allies stunned by Trump’s violations of International Law and escalation of hostilities. It’s clear Trump stunned them into silence. Because they know the world is more dangerous today than it was a week ago.
Indeed.
The time is now for Americans to wake up and realize that a war with Iran, with no support from other countries, will make America the bad guys. Iran isn’t invading other countries and bombing them. America is. Iran isn’t assassinating foreign leaders on peace missions. America is. Iran isn’t building bases around the world and bending nations to their will through threats and drone strikes. America is.
Do not mistake the anti-Iran war stance as support for Iran. This is the tactic of the establishment. You can be against the Iranian state and still be against the war. You can be a Democrat and be against the war just like you can be a Republican and be against the war. It’s called thinking for yourself and realizing that this war will be hell.
Iran is no bastion of freedom, but this conflict that will result from further provocation with them will be far worse than any petty tyrant asserting their will in the Middle East. Supporting this war makes you complicit in the hellish reality that will ensue. It makes you the opposite of a patriot. It makes you a sheep being willingly led off to slaughter.
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project, where this article first appeared. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-01-08--WW3 UPDATE: Two U.S. Bases Attacked By Iran, Civilian Ukraine Jet Crashes, Iran Hit By Earthquake At

WW3 UPDATE: Two U.S. Bases Attacked By Iran, Civilian Ukraine Jet Crashes, Iran Hit By Earthquake At Nuclear Power Plant

Iran has unleashed a barrage of missile fire on military base Al-Asad and Erbil international airport in Iraq , leading many to speculate there is a greater response to come ; and if the events in the past few days wasn ’ t a sign of war , this certainly is .
Amid the attack , there was also a report of a civilian airliner crashing in Tehran that was heading to Kiev , showing what ’ s to come as innocents die as a casualty of war .
And earthquakes hit near a nuclear plant in Iran , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base in Anbar province — an Iraqi military center in western Iraq — was hit by missiles , while another hit a base in Erbil in the northern part of the country .
Four other missiles failed , according to a U.S. military spokesman for Central Command who spoke to Fox News .
An Iranian leader who was top nuclear negotiator for Iran , Saeed Jalili , tweeted a picture of his country ’ s flag showing patriotism for his country after the airstrike on Asad Iraqi base housing U.S. troops .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iranian Quds Force general Qassem Soleimani .
President Donald Trump also posted a photo of a flag , the U.S ’ s own symbol of patriotism after the death of the Iranian general .
Iranian state TV stated in a press release that the surface-to-air missile attacks on the Iraqi base were in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani , “ whose funeral procession Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman prompted angry calls to avenge his death , ” according to the Associated Press .
Iran has also made threats against U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 million dollar bounty for his head , in addition to threatening to attack the White House in DC itself .
Meanwhile , there are reports that a civilian 737 Boeing jet airliner bound for Ukraine has crashed in Tehran killing 176 passengers allegedly after an Iranian missile system accidentally shot it down according to Al-Hadath News .
Although , Iran disputed this stating it was an “ engine failure.
” However , Iran has said that it won ’ t give up the black boxes for the jet , leading many to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two 4.7-4.9 magnitude earthquakes also struck in southern Iran , coincidentally near the controversial Bushehr nuclear power plant .
It ’ s important to note for readers that when conflict was happening with North Korea , Pyongyang was also hit with an earthquake at its nuclear power plant .
That event took place after former U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis hinted at using a kinetic weapon at a press conference while discussing tensions with North Korea when he made the Freudian slip in 2017 , Activist Post reported .
Specifically , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From God or another directed energy-based weapon system .
Business Insider wrote about the rods in September of 2017 ; this writer suspects either those weapons or others were used in a covert military operation to destroy a North Korean nuclear test site which collapsed and killed over 200 people on October 31st right before Trump ’ s trip to South Korea .
It also could have been an EMP : In 2015 , the U.S. Air Force confirmed that military contractor Boeing has an electromagnetic pulse weapon , which is capable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collateral damage of killing people .
It ’ s essentially an EMP that takes out the power grid of a given area .
The project is known as the “ CHAMP , ” or Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project , and it already has been operational since 2015 , according to Air Force Research Laboratory commander Major General Tom Masiello .
; But truthfully Activist Post has no idea what type of weapon caused it .
We can just speculate with grand evidence that both earthquakes on Iran and North Korea happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weapon was used .
It ’ s now highly suspect that two countries ’ nuclear sites were struck by earthquakes while there were tensions with the United States .
The recent swarm of earthquakes in Iran is even more coincidental , though , given that the top nuclear negotiator for Iran , Saeed Jalili ( above ) , tweeted a picture of an Iranian flag .
The target that was hit according to news reports is a controversial site just like North Korea ’ s infrastructure that was hit years ago with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this seems to be a silent covert message by the U.S. being sent to Iran after an attack on two U.S. military bases Al-Asad and Erbil .
There were also further attacks taking place on other military installations throughout the Middle East like in Libya and Kenya over the past week as well .
In fact , these weapons may have already been used in the Middle East and potentially even against Iran .
A video from May-June 2017 , shows the downing of a Syrian Arab Air Force Su-22 ground-attack aircraft and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either Iran or Hezbollah according to LiveLeak .
The projectile left a massively long heat trail in forward-looking infrared white hot ( FLIR ) that dissipated instantly , unlike traditional missiles that have a short line then dissipate .
However , that attack was reported by Sputnik stating that U.S. fighter jets were responsible .
The National Enquirer , reported in 2017 that space-based weapons were going to be used against North Korea writing : “ President Donald Trump will unleash hell on North Korea with a top-secret doomsday weapon nicknamed ‘ Rods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military match of the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs !
” National Enquirer ‘ s founder David J. Pecker and Trump are very close , and he was even involved in helping pay hush money .
U.S. general David Goldfein has also previously suggested Trump could use “ space based weapons against ISIS.
” So if those weapons would be used against ISIS , what makes anyone think they wouldn ’ t be used against America ’ s other enemies Iran and North Korea ?
“ If we want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to have to push decision authority down to some lower levels in certain areas the big question that we ’ ve got to wrestle with … is the authorities to operate in cyber and space , ” General David Goldfein , Air Force chief of staff , told USA TODAY .
The predecessor Bush administration even considered hitting underground nuclear sites in rogue nations in the years after 9/11 .
The concept of developing kinetic energy weapons has been around since the 1950s when the RAND Corporation proposed placing rods on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t say how far along the research is , or even confirm that any efforts exist , citing those details as classified .
The “ U.S .
Air Force Transformation Flight Plan , ” published by the Air Force in November 2003 , references “ hypervelocity rod bundles ” in its outline of future space-based weapons ; and , in 2002 , another report from RAND , “ Space Weapons , Earth Wars , ” talks about the effectiveness of such a weapon .
Trump responded to the attack on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last night with an odd demeanor stating “ All is well.
” For this writer it seems obvious that the Rods From God were just used on Iran .
Trump is expected to address the nation this morning where he will be making a statement on the recent attack .
So far there have been no reported causalities as a result of the missile fire to this writer ’ s knowledge at the time of publication .
However , this may change in the coming hours and the article will be updated as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously threatened Iran , threatening 52 different targets in Iran , including civilian and military sites if any American is harmed by Tehran , “ very fast and very hard.
” The attack on a U.S. Iraqi base follows days of tension between the two countries which have resulted in several attacks in the Middle East after Trump ordered the assassination of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al Muhandis in Baghdad last week , as Activist Post previously reported .
Iran has responded stating that if there is no retaliation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stop attacking .
But if America attacks then their response will be crushing and wide spread , according to Alia Rouzi NBC News Tehran Bureau Chief and correspondent .
Will Iran see the recent earthquake of its nuclear power plant as an “ attack ” or just a coincidence ?
Iran ’ s Supreme Leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated the U.S. should leave Iraq , adding , “ Military action like this is not sufficient .
What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from the region .
Trump responded threatening Iraq with sanctions and demanding they pay for the military bases the U.S. has established .
Thousands upon thousands of anti-war activists took to the streets across the U.S. over the weekend to express distaste for another war .
So far a MoveOn.org letter to the U.S. Congress to end this dangerous escalation has received close to 100,000 signatures .
You can sign the petition here and demand Congress intervenes in Trump ’ s war efforts .
UPDATE : 12:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed that “ No Americans were harmed in last night ’ s attack by the Iranian regime , ” in his speech this morning .
Trump added , Iran “ appears to be standing down , ” according to a report by Fox News .
There were also new sanctions introduced against Iran .
However , Trump still insists that the U.S. wants “ peace.
” There was an advanced warning given to Iraq , Finland and Lithuania – which all had troops stationed at the bases which were targeted , Dailymail reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian allies warned against escalating strikes with Vladimir Dzhabarov , a lawmaker with Russia ’ s upper house of parliament , warning the conflict could easily lead to a nuclear war .
This story is a live active developing story , this author will try to keep this article up to date with accurate information as much as humanly possible .
Aaron Kesel writes for Activist Post .
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By Aaron Kesel
Iran has unleashed a barrage of missile fire on military base Al-Asad and Erbil international airport in Iraq, leading many to speculate there is a greater response to come; and if the events in the past few days wasn’t a sign of war, this certainly is. Amid the attack, there was also a report of a civilian airliner crashing in Tehran that was heading to Kiev, showing what’s to come as innocents die as a casualty of war. And earthquakes hit near a nuclear plant in Iran, raising suspicions about the timing.
Al-Asad air base in Anbar province — an Iraqi military center in western Iraq — was hit by missiles, while another hit a base in Erbil in the northern part of the country. Four other missiles failed, according to a U.S. military spokesman for Central Command who spoke to Fox News.
An Iranian leader who was top nuclear negotiator for Iran, Saeed Jalili, tweeted a picture of his country’s flag showing patriotism for his country after the airstrike on Asad Iraqi base housing U.S. troops. The strike was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Quds Force general Qassem Soleimani.
President Donald Trump also posted a photo of a flag, the U.S’s own symbol of patriotism after the death of the Iranian general.
Iranian state TV stated in a press release that the surface-to-air missile attacks on the Iraqi base were in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani, “whose funeral procession Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman prompted angry calls to avenge his death,” according to the Associated Press. Iran has also made threats against U.S. President Donald Trump by offering an $80 million dollar bounty for his head, in addition to threatening to attack the White House in DC itself.
Meanwhile, there are reports that a civilian 737 Boeing jet airliner bound for Ukraine has crashed in Tehran killing 176 passengers allegedly after an Iranian missile system accidentally shot it down according to Al-Hadath News. Although, Iran disputed this stating it was an “engine failure.” However, Iran has said that it won’t give up the black boxes for the jet, leading many to believe Al-Hadath’s report is accurate.
Two 4.7-4.9 magnitude earthquakes also struck in southern Iran, coincidentally near the controversial Bushehr nuclear power plant.
BREAKING UPDATE: Al Hadath News agency from Jordan reports the plane may have been shot down accidentally by an Iranian missile. This is still unconfirmed. — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 8, 2020
Another earthquake, measuring 5.1 magnitude, struck the same region less than two weeks ago, CNN reported.
ALL ABOARD FLIGHT ARE DEAD: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says "According to preliminary data, all passengers and crew members are dead". This includes 167 passengers and 9 crew aboard the Boeing 737. pic.twitter.com/jVMwztWAuh — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 8, 2020
It’s important to note for readers that when conflict was happening with North Korea, Pyongyang was also hit with an earthquake at its nuclear power plant. That event took place after former U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis hinted at using a kinetic weapon at a press conference while discussing tensions with North Korea when he made the Freudian slip in 2017, Activist Post reported.
📹 | #Ukrainian passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff from #Iran ▪Al-Hadath report that the plane was accidentally shot by #Iranian air defence systemspic.twitter.com/qSs6Y7HWzT — EHA News (@eha_news) January 8, 2020
Specifically, many believe Mattis was referencing the legendary Rods From God or another directed energy-based weapon system.
Business Insider wrote about the rods in September of 2017; this writer suspects either those weapons or others were used in a covert military operation to destroy a North Korean nuclear test site which collapsed and killed over 200 people on October 31st right before Trump’s trip to South Korea. It also could have been an EMP:
In 2015, the U.S. Air Force confirmed that military contractor Boeing has an electromagnetic pulse weapon, which is capable of targeting and destroying electrical systems without the collateral damage of killing people. It’s essentially an EMP that takes out the power grid of a given area.
The project is known as the “CHAMP,” or Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project, and it already has been operational since 2015, according to Air Force Research Laboratory commander Major General Tom Masiello.;
But truthfully Activist Post has no idea what type of weapon caused it. We can just speculate with grand evidence that both earthquakes on Iran and North Korea happened around key times, suggesting some type of weapon was used.
It’s now highly suspect that two countries’ nuclear sites were struck by earthquakes while there were tensions with the United States. The recent swarm of earthquakes in Iran is even more coincidental, though, given that the top nuclear negotiator for Iran, Saeed Jalili (above), tweeted a picture of an Iranian flag. The target that was hit according to news reports is a controversial site just like North Korea’s infrastructure that was hit years ago with an earthquake.
In other words, this seems to be a silent covert message by the U.S. being sent to Iran after an attack on two U.S. military bases Al-Asad and Erbil. There were also further attacks taking place on other military installations throughout the Middle East like in Libya and Kenya over the past week as well.
Happening Now Iran: Two Earthquake registered #Sismos . The first of magnitude 4.9 to 10 kilometers SE of #Borazjan at a depth of 10 kilometers. The second of magnitude 4.5 to 17 kilometers SSE of #Borazjan at a depth of 10 km. #Terremoto #earthquake #Iran 🚨Retweet🚨 pic.twitter.com/WN7iHhmCNw — Terrence Daniels (Captain Planet) (@Terrence_STR) January 8, 2020
In fact, these weapons may have already been used in the Middle East and potentially even against Iran.
A video from May-June 2017, shows the downing of a Syrian Arab Air Force Su-22 ground-attack aircraft and an armed Shaheed-129 UAV, operated by either Iran or Hezbollah according to LiveLeak. The projectile left a massively long heat trail in forward-looking infrared white hot (FLIR) that dissipated instantly, unlike traditional missiles that have a short line then dissipate. However, that attack was reported by Sputnik stating that U.S. fighter jets were responsible.
The National Enquirer, reported in 2017 that space-based weapons were going to be used against North Korea writing: “President Donald Trump will unleash hell on North Korea with a top-secret doomsday weapon nicknamed ‘Rods from God’ — that’s the military match of the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs!” National Enquirer‘s founder David J. Pecker and Trump are very close, and he was even involved in helping pay hush money.
U.S. general David Goldfein has also previously suggested Trump could use “space based weapons against ISIS.” So if those weapons would be used against ISIS, what makes anyone think they wouldn’t be used against America’s other enemies Iran and North Korea?
“If we want to be more agile then the reality is we are going to have to push decision authority down to some lower levels in certain areas the big question that we’ve got to wrestle with … is the authorities to operate in cyber and space,” General David Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, told USA TODAY.
The predecessor Bush administration even considered hitting underground nuclear sites in rogue nations in the years after 9/11.
The concept of developing kinetic energy weapons has been around since the 1950s when the RAND Corporation proposed placing rods on tips of ICBMs, although the Pentagon won’t say how far along the research is, or even confirm that any efforts exist, citing those details as classified. The “U.S. Air Force Transformation Flight Plan,” published by the Air Force in November 2003, references “hypervelocity rod bundles” in its outline of future space-based weapons; and, in 2002, another report from RAND, “Space Weapons, Earth Wars,” talks about the effectiveness of such a weapon.
Trump responded to the attack on the military bases in Iraq tweeting the following last night with an odd demeanor stating “All is well.” For this writer it seems obvious that the Rods From God were just used on Iran.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
Trump is expected to address the nation this morning where he will be making a statement on the recent attack. So far there have been no reported causalities as a result of the missile fire to this writer’s knowledge at the time of publication. However, this may change in the coming hours and the article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Trump has previously threatened Iran, threatening 52 different targets in Iran, including civilian and military sites if any American is harmed by Tehran, “very fast and very hard.”
The attack on a U.S. Iraqi base follows days of tension between the two countries which have resulted in several attacks in the Middle East after Trump ordered the assassination of Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al Muhandis in Baghdad last week, as Activist Post previously reported.
Iran has responded stating that if there is no retaliation from America for these latest attacks then they will stop attacking. But if America attacks then their response will be crushing and wide spread, according to Alia Rouzi NBC News Tehran Bureau Chief and correspondent. Will Iran see the recent earthquake of its nuclear power plant as an “attack” or just a coincidence?
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated the U.S. should leave Iraq, adding, “Military action like this is not sufficient. What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region,” Reuters reported. On Sunday, Iraqi Parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from the region. Trump responded threatening Iraq with sanctions and demanding they pay for the military bases the U.S. has established.
Thousands upon thousands of anti-war activists took to the streets across the U.S. over the weekend to express distaste for another war. So far a MoveOn.org letter to the U.S. Congress to end this dangerous escalation has received close to 100,000 signatures. You can sign the petition here and demand Congress intervenes in Trump’s war efforts.
UPDATE: 12:00 p.m. EST – 1/8/20 — Trump has confirmed that “No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” in his speech this morning. Trump added, Iran “appears to be standing down,” according to a report by Fox News.
.@realDonaldTrump : We must all work together toward making a deal with Iran that makes the world a safer and more peaceful place. pic.twitter.com/siJ4lhbljR — Wojciech Pawelczyk 🇵🇱🇺🇸 (@PolishPatriotTM) January 8, 2020
There were also new sanctions introduced against Iran. However, Trump still insists that the U.S. wants “peace.”
There was an advanced warning given to Iraq, Finland and Lithuania – which all had troops stationed at the bases which were targeted, Dailymail reported.
China and Russia, both key Iranian allies warned against escalating strikes with Vladimir Dzhabarov, a lawmaker with Russia’s upper house of parliament, warning the conflict could easily lead to a nuclear war.
UPDATE: 12:00 a.m. EST – 1/9/20 — Yesterday further rocket attacks took place in the Green Zone in Baghdad near the American embassy in Iraq. No details were readily available on who was responsible but there are several groups in the region who could be the culprits, not just Iran as noted in a previous report.
#BREAKING: Two rockets hit Iraqi capital's Green Zone: security sources – via @AFP — Maya Gebeily (@GebeilyM) January 8, 2020
This story is a live active developing story, this author will try to keep this article up to date with accurate information as much as humanly possible.
Aaron Kesel writes for Activist Post. Support us at Patreon. Follow us on Minds, Steemit, SoMee, BitChute, Facebook and Twitter.
Image credit: Anthony Freda Art “11th Hour”
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activistpost--2020-01-08--Virginia Wants to CLOSE Non-Gov’t Gun Ranges and Create AMMO-FREE Zones

If you thought the law that would effectively ban semi-automatic weapons in Virginia was draconian , just wait .
The General Assembly isn ’ t done trampling the Second Amendment yet .
They have lots more potential felonies in store for gun owners .
Let ’ s take a look at HB567 and HB318 .
HB567 wants to ensure gun ranges are government-owned .
In a blow not only to gun owners but also to small business owners , HB567 would outlaw many indoor gun ranges that are not owned by the state government .
What ’ s more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cater to law enforcement as their primary clientele .
And they ’ re not done yet – the gun ranges would serve as data-collection points .
Here ’ s the text of the summary .
( Emphasis mine ) As used in this section , “ indoor shooting range ” means any fully enclosed or indoor area or facility designed for the use of rifles , shotguns , pistols , silhouettes , skeet , trap , or black powder or any other similar sport shooting .
B .
It is unlawful to operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not owned or leased by the Commonwealth or the federal government unless ( i ) fewer than 50 employees work in the building or ( ii ) ( a ) at least 90 percent of the users of the indoor shooting range are law-enforcement officers , as defined in § 9.1-101 , or federal law-enforcement officers , ( b ) the indoor shooting range maintains a log of each user ’ s name , phone number , address , and the law-enforcement agency where such user is employed , and ( c ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s identity and address by requiring all users to present a government-issued photo-identification card .
( source ) So very small indoor gun ranges might be able to continue to operate ( for now ) but the large , high-quality ranges that also serve as instruction facilities or have attached gun stores could have too many employees to continue to operate if the new bill becomes a law .
It ’ s interesting that the state government claims to want to make the state safer , but at the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hone their skills , accuracy , education , and safe usage of firearms .
The penalties for breaking this law would be civil , with a fine of up to $ 100,000 on the first infraction and an additional $ 5000 per day if the defiance continues .
Making about as much sense as the law that caused the original hullaballoo – the one that would ban weapons that “ could ” possess extended magazines , even if the owner has no such magazines – HB318 would send anyone in the possession of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time .
I suppose they ’ re concerned that someone might have ammo in a gun-free zone and throw it really hard , causing a mass casualty incident ?
This would-be law encompasses more than ammunition .
It also includes the possession of stun weapons and knives with metal blades .
Here ’ s the text of the bill , again , emphasis mine .
A .
If any person knowingly possesses any ( i ) stun weapon as defined in this section ; ( ii ) knife , except a pocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than three inches ; ( iii ) weapon , including a weapon of like kind , designated in subsection A of § 18.2-308 , other than a firearm ; or ( iv ) ammunition for a firearm , as defined in § 18.2-308.2 , upon ( a ) the property of any public , private , or religious elementary , middle , or high school , including buildings and grounds ; ( b ) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking place ; or ( c ) any school bus owned or operated by any such school , he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor .
B .
If any person knowingly possesses any firearm designed or intended to expel a projectile by action of an explosion of a combustible material while such person is upon ( i ) any public , private or religious elementary , middle or high school , including buildings and grounds ; ( ii ) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while such functions or activities are taking place ; or ( iii ) any school bus owned or operated by any such school , he is guilty of a Class 6 felony .
( source ) There are a few exemptions that would allow law enforcement officers , former law enforcement officers , and concealed carry permit holders or those who use knives with metal blades in their trades , to have their unloaded weapons locked securely in their trunk while they are in traffic circles and parking lots .
However , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra cartridge floating around the bottom of her purse ( who doesn ’ t ? )
could potentially become a felon if tried by some over-zealous , anti-2A prosecutor .
Those exceptions would exist initially but at the rate new laws are being proposed , I wouldn ’ t count on the exceptions on a long-term basis .
You probably recall a member of the state congress ’ s threats about dispatching the National Guard to confiscate weapons and the Virginia Attorney General ’ s opinion that sanctuary municipalities have no legal weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Governor Northam is going to be specifically funding gun control efforts with an additional quarter of a million dollars in the newly proposed state budget .
Included in the appropriation for this Item is $ 250,000 the first year from the general fund for the estimated net increase in the operating cost of adult correctional facilities resulting from the enactment of sentencing legislation as listed below .
This amount shall be paid into the Corrections Special Reserve Fund , established pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 , Code of Virginia .
1 .
Allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pose substantial risk to themselves or others — $ 50,000 2 .
Prohibit the sale , possession , and transport of assault firearms , trigger activators , and silencers — $ 50,000 3 .
Increase the penalty for allowing a child to access unsecured firearms — $ 50,000 4 .
Prohibit possession of firearms for persons subject to final orders of protection — $ 50,000 So for those who say , “ Nobody is trying to take your guns ” the evidence in these proposals clearly disputes this opinion .
91 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been defiant in the face of these attacks on the Second Amendment , with Tazewell County going as far as creating an official militia and the sheriff of Culpeper County vowing to deputize thousands of citizens to protect their rights .
Practically the entire state has vowed to protect the rights of gun owners and the movement is still growing , as shown by the map below .
A recent job listing for disarmament officers at the United Nations New York office has many concerned that confiscation efforts could go beyond calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than enthusiastic about taking away the rights of their friends , family members , and neighbors .
The votes on these gun control bills and budget appropriations will be held in the first couple of months of 2020 .
It certainly is , Governor Northam .
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging , globe-trotting blogger who writes about current events , preparedness , frugality , voluntaryism , and the pursuit of liberty on her website , The Organic Prepper .
She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , PreppersDailyNews.com .
Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company .
You can find her on Facebook , Pinterest , and Twitter .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today @

By Daisy Luther
If you thought the law that would effectively ban semi-automatic weapons in Virginia was draconian, just wait. The General Assembly isn’t done trampling the Second Amendment yet. They have lots more potential felonies in store for gun owners.
Let’s take a look at HB567 and HB318.
HB567 wants to ensure gun ranges are government-owned.
In a blow not only to gun owners but also to small business owners, HB567 would outlaw many indoor gun ranges that are not owned by the state government. What’s more, the private ranges allowed would have to cater to law enforcement as their primary clientele. And they’re not done yet – the gun ranges would serve as data-collection points.
Here’s the text of the summary. (Emphasis mine)
As used in this section, “indoor shooting range” means any fully enclosed or indoor area or facility designed for the use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, or black powder or any other similar sport shooting. B. It is unlawful to operate an indoor shooting range in any building not owned or leased by the Commonwealth or the federal government unless (i) fewer than 50 employees work in the building or (ii) (a) at least 90 percent of the users of the indoor shooting range are law-enforcement officers, as defined in § 9.1-101, or federal law-enforcement officers, (b) the indoor shooting range maintains a log of each user’s name, phone number, address, and the law-enforcement agency where such user is employed, and (c) the indoor shooting range verifies each user’s identity and address by requiring all users to present a government-issued photo-identification card. (source)
So very small indoor gun ranges might be able to continue to operate (for now) but the large, high-quality ranges that also serve as instruction facilities or have attached gun stores could have too many employees to continue to operate if the new bill becomes a law.
It’s interesting that the state government claims to want to make the state safer, but at the same time, they want to close facilities where gun-owners hone their skills, accuracy, education, and safe usage of firearms.
The penalties for breaking this law would be civil, with a fine of up to $100,000 on the first infraction and an additional $5000 per day if the defiance continues.
HB318 would create ammunition-free zones.
Making about as much sense as the law that caused the original hullaballoo – the one that would ban weapons that “could” possess extended magazines, even if the owner has no such magazines – HB318 would send anyone in the possession of ammunition to prison for a currently-undetermined amount of time.
I suppose they’re concerned that someone might have ammo in a gun-free zone and throw it really hard, causing a mass casualty incident? This would-be law encompasses more than ammunition. It also includes the possession of stun weapons and knives with metal blades.
Here’s the text of the bill, again, emphasis mine.
A. If any person knowingly possesses any (i) stun weapon as defined in this section; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) weapon, including a weapon of like kind, designated in subsection A of § 18.2-308, other than a firearm; or (iv) ammunition for a firearm, as defined in § 18.2-308.2, upon (a) the property of any public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school, including buildings and grounds; (b) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (c) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. B. If any person knowingly possesses any firearm designed or intended to expel a projectile by action of an explosion of a combustible material while such person is upon (i) any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds; (ii) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (iii) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony. (source)
There are a few exemptions that would allow law enforcement officers, former law enforcement officers, and concealed carry permit holders or those who use knives with metal blades in their trades, to have their unloaded weapons locked securely in their trunk while they are in traffic circles and parking lots. However, a regular person who happens to have an extra cartridge floating around the bottom of her purse (who doesn’t?) could potentially become a felon if tried by some over-zealous, anti-2A prosecutor.
Those exceptions would exist initially but at the rate new laws are being proposed, I wouldn’t count on the exceptions on a long-term basis.
Coincidentally, Governor Northam has increased his detention budget.
You probably recall a member of the state congress’s threats about dispatching the National Guard to confiscate weapons and the Virginia Attorney General’s opinion that sanctuary municipalities have no legal weight.
But that’s not all. Governor Northam is going to be specifically funding gun control efforts with an additional quarter of a million dollars in the newly proposed state budget.
Included in the appropriation for this Item is $250,000 the first year from the general fund for the estimated net increase in the operating cost of adult correctional facilities resulting from the enactment of sentencing legislation as listed below. This amount shall be paid into the Corrections Special Reserve Fund, established pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, Code of Virginia. 1. Allow the removal of firearms from persons who pose substantial risk to themselves or others — $50,000 2. Prohibit the sale, possession, and transport of assault firearms, trigger activators, and silencers — $50,000 3. Increase the penalty for allowing a child to access unsecured firearms — $50,000 4. Prohibit possession of firearms for persons subject to final orders of protection — $50,000 5. Require background checks for all firearms sales — $50,000. (source)
So for those who say, “Nobody is trying to take your guns” the evidence in these proposals clearly disputes this opinion.
91% of the state is staunchly defiant.
Virginians have been defiant in the face of these attacks on the Second Amendment, with Tazewell County going as far as creating an official militia and the sheriff of Culpeper County vowing to deputize thousands of citizens to protect their rights.
Practically the entire state has vowed to protect the rights of gun owners and the movement is still growing, as shown by the map below.
A recent job listing for disarmament officers at the United Nations New York office has many concerned that confiscation efforts could go beyond calling up a National Guard that may be less than enthusiastic about taking away the rights of their friends, family members, and neighbors.
The votes on these gun control bills and budget appropriations will be held in the first couple of months of 2020.
“This is going to be an exciting couple of months,” Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Monday. (source)
It certainly is, Governor Northam.
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, globe-trotting blogger who writes about current events, preparedness, frugality, voluntaryism, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-01-08--Bank Closures and Withdrawal Restrictions Anger Lebanese Citizens

Lebanese citizens have been dealing with economic hardship , as the country ’ s central bank imposed customer withdrawal limits last October .
The problems have continued over the last two months , as ATMs have stopped dispensing cash and bank branches close doors in fear of angry clients .
Regional reports disclose Lebanese bank customers often wait for hours in long lines at local branches only to be told the bank ’ s cash reserves have run dry .
Also read : Problems Escalate in Venezuela as Millions Rush to Spend Petros Lebanon ’ s Association of Banks Shuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few months , banking customers in Lebanon have been dealing with withdrawal limits and cash shortages throughout the country .
News.Bitcoin.com reported on the start of the friction between the country ’ s citizens and Lebanon ’ s central bank .
At the time the financial institution ( Banque du Liban or BDL ) imposed cash withdrawal limits across the country and bank customers were only allowed to withdraw $ 1,000 per week .
After the withdrawal restrictions , Lebanese citizens began protesting as the nationwide cash crisis saw emptied ATMs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The problems continued into November , as banks remained closed because they were constantly dealing with protestors and angry clients .
Demonstrators say Lebanon ’ s central bank and the country ’ s smaller financial institutions mismanaged the country ’ s wealth .
In 2020 , the situation in Lebanon remains the same and local reports detail on January 4 , banks in northern Lebanon started closing again .
Lebanon ’ s National News Agency said that lenders “ balked at customer anger over a liquidity crisis.
” AFP reports that banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doors and shut down on Friday and Saturday .
Sources noted that Lebanon ’ s Association of Banks called the branches and told them to shut down “ until further notice.
” A 10-Hour Standoff Between Bank Employees and an Angry Customer AFP also added that angry customers went to a bank office in Halba in order to protest the withdrawal limits .
The demonstration ended with a 10-hour standoff between a customer and the bank ’ s officials .
The customer said he wouldn ’ t leave the bank branch unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he was escorted out by law enforcement to a local hospital .
As the man was ushered to the clinic , bank officials promised the man his funds were safe .
That same day , Lebanon ’ s Association of Banks made a call to certain branches and told them to shut down .
The banking organization cited the demonstrations as a “ threat to the lives and safety banking employees.
” The news from Lebanon follows the restrictions on withdrawals Indian banks levied after the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of September .
Similarly to the Lebanese situation , Indian bank clients protested the rules and several arrests took place after the RBI placed regulatory guidelines on more than 100 branches .
In Lebanon , it ’ s become a common sight to see people crying or screaming inside bank branches as Lebanese banking clients believe financial institutions have mismanaged their life savings .
Last Friday , Lebanon ’ s Melhem Khalaf , the head of the Lebanese Bar Association , said the Lebanon central bank ’ s withdrawal restrictions are “ unconstitutional.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation at Lebanese banks and lending institutions ?
What do you think of Lebanon ’ s central bank restricting people from accessing their savings ?
Do you think cryptocurrencies are the answer to problems like these ?
Let us know in the comments section below .
Images courtesy of Shutterstock , Reddit , Al Jazeera , Wiki Commons , Pixabay , and Fair Use .
Did you know you can buy and sell BCH privately using our noncustodial , peer-to-peer Local Bitcoin Cash trading platform ?
The Local.Bitcoin.com marketplace has thousands of participants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
And if you need a bitcoin wallet to securely store your coins , you can download one from us here .
This article was sourced from Bitcoin.com Jamie Redman is a financial tech journalist living in Florida .
Redman has been an active member of the cryptocurrency community since 2011 .
He has a passion for Bitcoin , open source code , and decentralized applications .
Redman has written thousands of articles for news.Bitcoin.com about the disruptive protocols emerging today .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
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Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
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By Jamie Redman
Lebanese citizens have been dealing with economic hardship, as the country’s central bank imposed customer withdrawal limits last October. The problems have continued over the last two months, as ATMs have stopped dispensing cash and bank branches close doors in fear of angry clients. Regional reports disclose Lebanese bank customers often wait for hours in long lines at local branches only to be told the bank’s cash reserves have run dry.
Also read: Problems Escalate in Venezuela as Millions Rush to Spend Petros
Lebanon’s Association of Banks Shuts Banks Down Again as Protests Continue
During the last few months, banking customers in Lebanon have been dealing with withdrawal limits and cash shortages throughout the country. News.Bitcoin.com reported on the start of the friction between the country’s citizens and Lebanon’s central bank. At the time the financial institution (Banque du Liban or BDL) imposed cash withdrawal limits across the country and bank customers were only allowed to withdraw $1,000 per week.
After the withdrawal restrictions, Lebanese citizens began protesting as the nationwide cash crisis saw emptied ATMs and a slew of banking institutions closed. The problems continued into November, as banks remained closed because they were constantly dealing with protestors and angry clients. Demonstrators say Lebanon’s central bank and the country’s smaller financial institutions mismanaged the country’s wealth.
In 2020, the situation in Lebanon remains the same and local reports detail on January 4, banks in northern Lebanon started closing again. Lebanon’s National News Agency said that lenders “balked at customer anger over a liquidity crisis.” AFP reports that banks in the northern region of Akkar locked the doors and shut down on Friday and Saturday. Sources noted that Lebanon’s Association of Banks called the branches and told them to shut down “until further notice.”
A 10-Hour Standoff Between Bank Employees and an Angry Customer
AFP also added that angry customers went to a bank office in Halba in order to protest the withdrawal limits. The demonstration ended with a 10-hour standoff between a customer and the bank’s officials. The customer said he wouldn’t leave the bank branch unless he was compensated with his money, but he was escorted out by law enforcement to a local hospital. As the man was ushered to the clinic, bank officials promised the man his funds were safe. That same day, Lebanon’s Association of Banks made a call to certain branches and told them to shut down. The banking organization cited the demonstrations as a “threat to the lives and safety banking employees.”
The news from Lebanon follows the restrictions on withdrawals Indian banks levied after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed strict restrictions at the end of September. Similarly to the Lebanese situation, Indian bank clients protested the rules and several arrests took place after the RBI placed regulatory guidelines on more than 100 branches.
In Lebanon, it’s become a common sight to see people crying or screaming inside bank branches as Lebanese banking clients believe financial institutions have mismanaged their life savings. Last Friday, Lebanon’s Melhem Khalaf, the head of the Lebanese Bar Association, said the Lebanon central bank’s withdrawal restrictions are “unconstitutional.”
What do you think of the situation at Lebanese banks and lending institutions? What do you think of Lebanon’s central bank restricting people from accessing their savings? Do you think cryptocurrencies are the answer to problems like these? Let us know in the comments section below.
Images courtesy of Shutterstock, Reddit, Al Jazeera, Wiki Commons, Pixabay, and Fair Use.
Did you know you can buy and sell BCH privately using our noncustodial, peer-to-peer Local Bitcoin Cash trading platform? The Local.Bitcoin.com marketplace has thousands of participants from all around the world trading BCH right now. And if you need a bitcoin wallet to securely store your coins, you can download one from us here.
This article was sourced from Bitcoin.com
Jamie Redman is a financial tech journalist living in Florida. Redman has been an active member of the cryptocurrency community since 2011. He has a passion for Bitcoin, open source code, and decentralized applications. Redman has written thousands of articles for news.Bitcoin.com about the disruptive protocols emerging today.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-01-08--America Is The 4th Worst Abuser Of Biometric Privacy Rights In The World

Does anyone really believe America is still the land of the free ?
Since 9/11 , DHS , the FBI , the CIA , and countless other alphabet soup agencies have turned the United States into a public surveillance monstrosity .
In 19 years , one terrorist attack has done what no one else could have dreamed of : turn America ’ s freedoms into a distant memory .
Abusing citizens ’ rights and privacy used to be the hallmark of dictatorships and police states like the CCCP or North Korea .
A recent study conducted by Comparitech , rated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting citizens ’ biometric data .
The study found that America is one of the world ’ s worst abusers of citizens ’ biometric privacy .
This really should not come as a surprise , because last year Comparitech revealed that American and Chinese cities lead the world in spying on their citizens .
Last week , I wrote an article explaining how 2019 would go down as the year that facial recognition and corporate surveillance became commonplace in America .
Comparitech ‘ s recent study on biometric privacy compared how 50 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people : • Many countries collect travelers ’ biometric data , often through visas or biometric checks at airports • Every country we studied is using biometrics for bank accounts , e.g .
fingerprints to access online app data and/or to confirm identities within the banks themselves • Despite many countries recognizing biometric data as sensitive , increased biometric use is widely accepted • Facial recognition CCTV is being implemented in a large number of countries , or at least being tested • EU countries scored better overall than non-EU countries due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the workplace ( to some extent ) The USA is the 4th worst abuser of citizens ’ biometric privacy Comparitech warns , “ these 5 countries show a concerning lack of regard for the privacy of people ’ s biometric data.
” That ’ s right , the former “ land of the free ” has become the land of the surveilled and tracked .
How can that be you ask ?
According to Comparitech , the United States scores highly in most areas due to : • Having biometrics in passports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Having a biometric voting system ( optical scan equipment used in a large number of states ) .
• Not having a specific law to protect citizens ’ biometrics .
While there is a handful of state laws that protect state residents ’ biometrics ( as can be seen in our state privacy study ) , this does leave many US citizens ’ biometrics exposed as there is no federal law in place .
• Implementing the widespread use of facial recognition cameras with law enforcement pushing for further use in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the FBI and ICE have recently been criticized due to their use of facial recognition technology to scan drivers ’ license photos without gaining the citizens ’ consent beforehand .
Equally , some city-level bans have been put in place with San Francisco ( CA ) , Oakland ( CA ) , Berkeley ( CA ) , and Somerville ( MA ) banning government use of facial recognition technology .
• The growing use of biometrics in the workplace .
Many companies use employees ’ biometrics for certain actions , e.g .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a work computer .
Again , some state laws offer a little more protection but this still leaves many employees ’ biometrics exposed .
• Fingerprints being required for most American visas and everyone ’ s fingerprints being collected upon entry to the country .
Curiously , Comparitech failed to elaborate on DHS ’ s national Real-ID program which forces everyone to provide biometric information to drive or fly in America .
If they had included Real-ID in their study , it is my opinion that America would be 2nd only to China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other countries listed in the top ten worst abusers of citizens biometric privacy rights — India , South Africa , Brazil , Nigeria , and Argentina — are all countries one might expect to be in or near the top ; but a neighbor to America ’ s north is also one of the worst : Canada .
As I mentioned earlier , the Western world has used 9/11 as an excuse to abuse citizens ’ privacy rights and , sadly , Canada is no exception .
What does this study teach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , once bastions of a free society , are now near mirror-images of surveillance states like China , Malaysia , Pakistan , India , the Philippines and Taiwan is horrifying .
The Carnegie Endowment For Peace whitepaper titled , AI Global Surveillance ( AIGS ) Index warned that AI surveillance is being used by 176 countries to track individuals .
And , hopefully , that is what you will take away from this story : our government increasingly uses biometrics and AI surveillance to track everyone .
You can read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this article first appeared .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
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Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By MassPrivateI
Does anyone really believe America is still the land of the free?
Since 9/11, DHS, the FBI, the CIA, and countless other alphabet soup agencies have turned the United States into a public surveillance monstrosity.
In 19 years, one terrorist attack has done what no one else could have dreamed of: turn America’s freedoms into a distant memory.
Abusing citizens’ rights and privacy used to be the hallmark of dictatorships and police states like the CCCP or North Korea.
A recent study conducted by Comparitech, rated 50 countries from best to worst at protecting citizens’ biometric data.
The study found that America is one of the world’s worst abusers of citizens’ biometric privacy.
While China topping the list perhaps doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, residents of (and travelers to) other countries may be surprised and concerned at the extent of biometric information that is being collected on them and what is happening to it afterward.
This really should not come as a surprise, because last year Comparitech revealed that American and Chinese cities lead the world in spying on their citizens. Last week, I wrote an article explaining how 2019 would go down as the year that facial recognition and corporate surveillance became commonplace in America.
Activist Post Recommended Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Comparitech‘s recent study on biometric privacy compared how 50 countries collect and use data to identify innocent people:
Many countries collect travelers’ biometric data, often through visas or biometric checks at airports
Every country we studied is using biometrics for bank accounts, e.g. fingerprints to access online app data and/or to confirm identities within the banks themselves
Despite many countries recognizing biometric data as sensitive, increased biometric use is widely accepted
Facial recognition CCTV is being implemented in a large number of countries, or at least being tested
EU countries scored better overall than non-EU countries due to GDPR regulations protecting the use of biometrics in the workplace (to some extent)
The USA is the 4th worst abuser of citizens’ biometric privacy
Comparitech warns, “these 5 countries show a concerning lack of regard for the privacy of people’s biometric data.” That’s right, the former “land of the free” has become the land of the surveilled and tracked.
How can that be you ask?
According to Comparitech, the United States scores highly in most areas due to:
Having biometrics in passports, ID cards, and bank accounts.
Having a biometric voting system (optical scan equipment used in a large number of states).
Not having a specific law to protect citizens’ biometrics. While there is a handful of state laws that protect state residents’ biometrics (as can be seen in our state privacy study), this does leave many US citizens’ biometrics exposed as there is no federal law in place.
Implementing the widespread use of facial recognition cameras with law enforcement pushing for further use in the identification of criminals. For example, the FBI and ICE have recently been criticized due to their use of facial recognition technology to scan drivers’ license photos without gaining the citizens’ consent beforehand. Equally, some city-level bans have been put in place with San Francisco (CA), Oakland (CA), Berkeley (CA), and Somerville (MA) banning government use of facial recognition technology.
The growing use of biometrics in the workplace. Many companies use employees’ biometrics for certain actions, e.g. using a fingerprint to gain access to a work computer. Again, some state laws offer a little more protection but this still leaves many employees’ biometrics exposed.
Fingerprints being required for most American visas and everyone’s fingerprints being collected upon entry to the country.
Curiously, Comparitech failed to elaborate on DHS’s national Real-ID program which forces everyone to provide biometric information to drive or fly in America. If they had included Real-ID in their study, it is my opinion that America would be 2nd only to China in abusing citizens’ biometric privacy.
The other countries listed in the top ten worst abusers of citizens biometric privacy rights — India, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, and Argentina — are all countries one might expect to be in or near the top; but a neighbor to America’s north is also one of the worst: Canada.
As I mentioned earlier, the Western world has used 9/11 as an excuse to abuse citizens’ privacy rights and, sadly, Canada is no exception.
What does this study teach us?
That countries like Canada and the United States, once bastions of a free society, are now near mirror-images of surveillance states like China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, the Philippines and Taiwan is horrifying.
The Carnegie Endowment For Peace whitepaper titled, AI Global Surveillance (AIGS) Index warned that AI surveillance is being used by 176 countries to track individuals.
As the spread of AI surveillance continues unabated. Its use by repressive regimes to engineer crackdowns against targeted populations has already sounded alarm bells.
And, hopefully, that is what you will take away from this story: our government increasingly uses biometrics and AI surveillance to track everyone.
You can read more at the MassPrivateI blog, where this article first appeared.
Top image credit: Comparitech
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activistpost--2020-01-08--Markets Reverse Losses Following Turmoil After Iran Attack (Updated)

S & P500 index futures erased their earlier crash , after tumbling more than 50 points following news Iran launched ballistic missiles at US airbases in Iraq , as investors turned optimistic and looked past the missile strikes focusing instead on Iran ’ s comments that the country isn ’ t “ seeking escalation or war ” and Trump ’ s tweet that “ all is well.
” As a result , S & P 500 e-mini futures up around 0.1 % , after earlier sliding as much as 1.7 % , with global markets broadly in the green too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just when you thought it was safe to buy the most expensive , most complacent stock market rally in the world… Iran begins retaliation against America ’ s killing of Soleimani… Dow futures are down over 400 points And WTI has erupted above $ 65… Time to get on the phone !
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By Tyler Durden
S&P500 index futures erased their earlier crash, after tumbling more than 50 points following news Iran launched ballistic missiles at US airbases in Iraq, as investors turned optimistic and looked past the missile strikes focusing instead on Iran’s comments that the country isn’t “seeking escalation or war” and Trump’s tweet that “all is well.” As a result, S&P 500 e-mini futures up around 0.1%, after earlier sliding as much as 1.7%, with global markets broadly in the green too. Read the full update HERE.
Just when you thought it was safe to buy the most expensive, most complacent stock market rally in the world… Iran begins retaliation against America’s killing of Soleimani…
Dow futures are down over 400 points
Gold has soared above $1600…
And WTI has erupted above $65…
Treasury yields are plunging…
Bitcoin is bid…
And VIX futures are exploding higher…
Time to get on the phone!
This article was sourced from Zerohedge.com
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activistpost--2020-01-08--World Health Org Labeled RF as “Possibly Carcinogenic” in 2011, Now Asking For New Health Reviews

RadioFrequency ( RF ) radiation is also referred to as cell phone radiation , microwave radiation , and wireless radiation .
No matter what you call it – research has determined it ’ s biologically and environmentally harmful .
It can cause “ Microwave Sickness ” ( also referred to as Electromagnetic Sensitivity ) which is a medically recognized condition that seems to have affected American embassy workers in China and Cuba ( see 1 , 2 ) .
In 2011 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) classified RF as “ possibly carcinogenic ” and in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lead .
American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts have been warning for many years that children are more vulnerable to exposure .
More research on RF has been released since 2011 and many scientists ( including at the WHO ) believe that this should be considered .
Thanks to Microwave News for providing more details : The WHO has relaunched its call for three of the ten systematic reviews of RF–health impacts it originally sought last fall : 1 ) Cancer ( animal studies ) 2 ) Adverse reproductive outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 ) Effect of exposure to heat from any source on pain , burns , cataract and heat-related illnesses .
These calls have been reopened because the WHO did not “ receive proposals that fulfilled all the qualifications and skills required , and in particular sufficient experience and expertise in conducting systematic reviews , ” Emilie van Deventer told Microwave News .
The WHO has apparently selected the teams for the other seven RF reviews .
No word yet on who they are .
There is still no “ safe ” level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids or pregnant women .
Activist Post reports regularly about sources of unsafe technology .
For more information visit our archives and the following websites .
• We Are The Evidence Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
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Get a free issue of Counter Markets today @

By B.N. Frank
RadioFrequency (RF) radiation is also referred to as cell phone radiation, microwave radiation, and wireless radiation. No matter what you call it – research has determined it’s biologically and environmentally harmful. It can cause “Microwave Sickness” (also referred to as Electromagnetic Sensitivity) which is a medically recognized condition that seems to have affected American embassy workers in China and Cuba (see 1, 2).
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified RF as “possibly carcinogenic” and in the same category as chloroform, engine exhaust, and lead. American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts have been warning for many years that children are more vulnerable to exposure. More research on RF has been released since 2011 and many scientists (including at the WHO) believe that this should be considered.
Thanks to Microwave News for providing more details:
The WHO has relaunched its call for three of the ten systematic reviews of RF–health impacts it originally sought last fall:
1) Cancer (animal studies)
2) Adverse reproductive outcomes (animal & in vitro studies)
3) Effect of exposure to heat from any source on pain, burns, cataract and heat-related illnesses. These calls have been reopened because the WHO did not “receive proposals that fulfilled all the qualifications and skills required, and in particular sufficient experience and expertise in conducting systematic reviews,” Emilie van Deventer told Microwave News. Proposals are due by February 7. The WHO has apparently selected the teams for the other seven RF reviews. No word yet on who they are.
There is still no “safe” level of RF that has been scientifically determined for kids or pregnant women.

Activist Post reports regularly about sources of unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives and the following websites.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-01-09--US Government Kicks Off Controversial DNA Collection Program

On January 3 , Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) released a Privacy Impact Assessment detailing plans to collect DNA from individuals temporarily detained at border crossings .
Border Patrol launched the 90-day pilot program on Monday at the Canadian border near Detroit and at the official port of entry at Eagle Pass , Texas .
After the pilot period the program will be expanded nationwide .
According to the Privacy Impact Assessment , the Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI ) Laboratory provides DNA collection kits which allow authorities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA samples to the FBI .
CBP and ICE have already had the legal authority to collect DNA from detained persons since the passage of the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 .
However , while previous efforts to collect DNA have focused exclusively on foreign citizens , this is the first attempt to collect DNA of individuals who are detained but not charged with a crime .
Effective January 6 , 2020 , CBP will begin collecting DNA from any person in CBP custody who is subject to fingerprinting .
This will include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lawful Permanent Residents ( U.S .
Persons ) .
As with all other DNA samples that federal law enforcement agencies collect under the authority of the DNA Fingerprint Act , CBP will send DNA samples from its DNA population13 to the FBI , which will enter results into CODIS .
The authorized method of DNA sample collection from non-convicts in federal custody , such as those detained for some administrative immigration violations , is by buccal ( cheek ) swab .
Using DNA sample kits provided by the FBI , CBP agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by taking a cheek swab from every individual within scope of the new regulation and submit the DNA samples to the FBI for processing and entry in the CODIS ( Combined DNA Index System ) system .
The assessment clearly outlines the groups who will be affected by the DNA collection program once fully implemented .
This includes criminal arrestees—including U.S. citizens , lawful permanent residents , and aliens—all non-U.S .
Persons detained for processing under administrative proceedings and released on their own recognizance ; all non-U.S .
Persons who are detained for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application ; all non-U.S .
Persons subject to expedited removal , reinstatement of removal , or administrative removal ; and all voluntary returns .
Stephen Kang , an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union , told the New York Times that the new DNA collection procedures “ raises a lot of very serious , practical concerns , I think , and real questions about coercion.
” The assessment pays lip service to examining privacy risks but offers no real solutions .
The federal agencies ’ main concerns seem to be that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to handing over their DNA .
For example , the DHS worries that “ individuals in federal custody will not be aware they must provide a DNA sample to law enforcement officers.
” In fact , another privacy risk plainly states that “ DNA collection requires no consent and is not voluntary.
” Another section titled “ Privacy Risk ” notes that “ individuals whose DNA sample is collected while the individuals are children will not be aware that their DNA profile will remain on file with FBI in perpetuity.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of DNA “ in perpetuity ” which sparked backlash from the Electronic Privacy Information Center ( EPIC ) and a coalition of civil liberties and immigrant rights organizations .
The organizations first opposed a rule change that expanded the DNA collection abilities of CBP and ICE .
The coalition called the rule “ unacceptable and unnecessary privacy intrusion ” that will have a dangerous impact on the individual being detained but also their family members .
In an amicus brief to the Supreme Court , EPIC argued that law enforcement ’ s warrantless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA collection plans come after the October 2019 announcement from the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) detailing their plans to mandate DNA collection almost all immigrants who cross the border and are held temporarily .
Unlike the DHS assessment , the DOJ announcement did not apply to permanent residents or those legally entering the United States .
The consideration of DNA collection is one that has long been discussed by the Trump administration and supporters of his vision of building a wall between the United States and Mexico .
The Border Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relation to Trump ’ s desire to build a wall—would require new biometric systems to be up and running at the nation ’ s 15 busiest airports , seaports , and land ports within two years .
After five years all land and sea ports of entry would require biometric systems to be running .
Some of the most worrisome portions of the bill include biometric scanning of all people who exit the United States , both citizens , and foreigners .
In addition , the text of the bill calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an application , petition , or other request for immigration benefit or status.
” Of course , the use of DNA collection and profiling has long been the domain of the U.S. government .
Back in 2015 , under the Obama administration , the Electronic Frontier Foundation ( EFF ) sued the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for failing to provide documents related to the Rapid DNA system .
The FBI said they found no responsive records to Freedom of Information Act requests made by the EFF .
Rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing of a DNA sample in as little as 50 minutes .
The machines are portable and roughly about the same size as a laser printer .
This means that law enforcement using Rapid DNA can collect a DNA sample from a suspect , and match the profile against a database without the help of a scientist in an accredited lab .
The EFF stated this would lead to further invasions of privacy .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
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By Derrick Broze
On January 3, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a Privacy Impact Assessment detailing plans to collect DNA from individuals temporarily detained at border crossings.
Border Patrol launched the 90-day pilot program on Monday at the Canadian border near Detroit and at the official port of entry at Eagle Pass, Texas. After the pilot period the program will be expanded nationwide.
According to the Privacy Impact Assessment, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Laboratory provides DNA collection kits which allow authorities to take a cheek swab and send the DNA samples to the FBI. CBP and ICE have already had the legal authority to collect DNA from detained persons since the passage of the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005. However, while previous efforts to collect DNA have focused exclusively on foreign citizens, this is the first attempt to collect DNA of individuals who are detained but not charged with a crime.
The Assessment states:
Effective January 6, 2020, CBP will begin collecting DNA from any person in CBP custody who is subject to fingerprinting. This will include aliens as well as United States citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (U.S. Persons). As with all other DNA samples that federal law enforcement agencies collect under the authority of the DNA Fingerprint Act, CBP will send DNA samples from its DNA population13 to the FBI, which will enter results into CODIS. The authorized method of DNA sample collection from non-convicts in federal custody, such as those detained for some administrative immigration violations, is by buccal (cheek) swab. Using DNA sample kits provided by the FBI, CBP agents and officers will collect a DNA sample by taking a cheek swab from every individual within scope of the new regulation and submit the DNA samples to the FBI for processing and entry in the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) system.
The assessment clearly outlines the groups who will be affected by the DNA collection program once fully implemented. This includes criminal arrestees—including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and aliens—all non-U.S. Persons detained for processing under administrative proceedings and released on their own recognizance; all non-U.S. Persons who are detained for processing under administrative proceedings and voluntary withdraw application; all non-U.S. Persons subject to expedited removal, reinstatement of removal, or administrative removal; and all voluntary returns.
Stephen Kang, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, told the New York Times that the new DNA collection procedures “raises a lot of very serious, practical concerns, I think, and real questions about coercion.”
The assessment pays lip service to examining privacy risks but offers no real solutions. The federal agencies’ main concerns seem to be that people are not aware they have no choice when it comes to handing over their DNA. For example, the DHS worries that “individuals in federal custody will not be aware they must provide a DNA sample to law enforcement officers.” In fact, another privacy risk plainly states that “DNA collection requires no consent and is not voluntary.”
The section titled “Mitigation” states:
“This risk cannot be mitigated. If individuals refuse to provide a DNA sample (i.e., are not compliant), then DHS may pursue criminal prosecution. The statute mandating DNA sample collection specifically states that an individual subject to DNA-sample collection who fails to cooperate in the collection of that sample may be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”
Another section titled “Privacy Risk” notes that “individuals whose DNA sample is collected while the individuals are children will not be aware that their DNA profile will remain on file with FBI in perpetuity.” It is this collection and storage of DNA “in perpetuity” which sparked backlash from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and a coalition of civil liberties and immigrant rights organizations.
The organizations first opposed a rule change that expanded the DNA collection abilities of CBP and ICE. The coalition called the rule “unacceptable and unnecessary privacy intrusion” that will have a dangerous impact on the individual being detained but also their family members. In an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, EPIC argued that law enforcement’s warrantless collection of DNA is unconstitutional.
The DNA collection plans come after the October 2019 announcement from the Department of Justice (DOJ) detailing their plans to mandate DNA collection almost all immigrants who cross the border and are held temporarily. Unlike the DHS assessment, the DOJ announcement did not apply to permanent residents or those legally entering the United States.
The consideration of DNA collection is one that has long been discussed by the Trump administration and supporters of his vision of building a wall between the United States and Mexico. The Border Security for America Act—one of several bills considered in relation to Trump’s desire to build a wall—would require new biometric systems to be up and running at the nation’s 15 busiest airports, seaports, and land ports within two years. After five years all land and sea ports of entry would require biometric systems to be running.
Some of the most worrisome portions of the bill include biometric scanning of all people who exit the United States, both citizens, and foreigners. In addition, the text of the bill calls for DNA collection of “any individual filing an application, petition, or other request for immigration benefit or status.”
Of course, the use of DNA collection and profiling has long been the domain of the U.S. government. Back in 2015, under the Obama administration, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sued the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for failing to provide documents related to the Rapid DNA system. The FBI said they found no responsive records to Freedom of Information Act requests made by the EFF.
Rapid DNA analyzers are machines designed to allow processing of a DNA sample in as little as 50 minutes. The machines are portable and roughly about the same size as a laser printer. This means that law enforcement using Rapid DNA can collect a DNA sample from a suspect, and match the profile against a database without the help of a scientist in an accredited lab. The EFF stated this would lead to further invasions of privacy.
By Derrick Broze | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com
Photo credit: University of Michigan SEAS / Flickr
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.