activistpost--2020-08-11--“Financially Devastated” — 83% Of NYC Restaurants Unable To Pay July Rent

The state of the New York City restaurant industry is in dire straits .
July proved to be another disastrous month for restaurants , bars , and nightlife establishments across the city with a majority unable to pay rent in July , a new survey found .
NYC Hospitality Alliance surveyed about 500 owners and operators of eateries in the city , with 83 % of respondents indicating they couldn ’ t pay the entire rent in July while 37 % paid no rent at all .
“ Restaurants and nightlife venues are essential to the economic and social fabric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to survive and absent immediate and sweeping relief so many will be forced to close permanently , ” said Andrew Rigie , executive director of The Alliance .
“ While complying with the necessary pause , our industry has been uniquely and financially devasted .
Small businesses urgently need solutions from government leaders at the city , state , and federal level , inclusive of extending the moratorium on evictions , extending the suspension of personal liability guarantees in leases , pausing commercial rent taxes , providing landlords with needed support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to weather the storm , ” Rigie said .
To make matters worse , 71 % of owners and operators said landlords “ would not waive portions of rent due to COVID-19.
” About 61 % said , landlords “ would not defer rent payments , ” while 90 % of landlords “ would not formally renegotiate leases.
” Indoor dining in the city remains halted , “ outdoor dining service is not generating sufficient revenue to cover rent and other expenses , small business owners in the industry continue to express significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viable in the future , ” said The Alliance .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income We recently outlined how high-frequency data suggests New York City ’ s recovery has stalled , as well as the US recovery has reversed .
Some restaurants in the city are just calling it quits , liquidating everything they have on Facebook Marketplace .
Is New York City in a depression ?
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By Tyler Durden
The state of the New York City restaurant industry is in dire straits. July proved to be another disastrous month for restaurants, bars, and nightlife establishments across the city with a majority unable to pay rent in July, a new survey found.
NYC Hospitality Alliance surveyed about 500 owners and operators of eateries in the city, with 83% of respondents indicating they couldn’t pay the entire rent in July while 37% paid no rent at all.
“Restaurants and nightlife venues are essential to the economic and social fabric of our city, but they are struggling to survive and absent immediate and sweeping relief so many will be forced to close permanently,” said Andrew Rigie, executive director of The Alliance.
“While complying with the necessary pause, our industry has been uniquely and financially devasted. Small businesses urgently need solutions from government leaders at the city, state, and federal level, inclusive of extending the moratorium on evictions, extending the suspension of personal liability guarantees in leases, pausing commercial rent taxes, providing landlords with needed support, and infusing small businesses with enough cash to weather the storm,” Rigie said.
To make matters worse, 71% of owners and operators said landlords “would not waive portions of rent due to COVID-19.” About 61% said, landlords “would not defer rent payments,” while 90% of landlords “would not formally renegotiate leases.”
Indoor dining in the city remains halted, “outdoor dining service is not generating sufficient revenue to cover rent and other expenses, small business owners in the industry continue to express significant concerns about surviving the pandemic and staying viable in the future,” said The Alliance.
Through July, OpenTable restaurant data reveals foot traffic at eateries remains depressed.
We recently outlined how high-frequency data suggests New York City’s recovery has stalled, as well as the US recovery has reversed.
Some restaurants in the city are just calling it quits, liquidating everything they have on Facebook Marketplace.
Is New York City in a depression?
Source: Zerohedge
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-08-11--Mortgage Mayhem Begins: Overall Delinquency Rates Soar As Housing Crisis Lurks

Readers may recall as early as April we outlined how mortgage lenders were preparing for the most significant wave of delinquencies in history as tens of millions of people lost their jobs because of the virus-induced recession .
Mortgage lending standards have since tightened as mass foreclosures and mortgage market mayhem appears to be ahead .
The Trump administration has found creative ways to prevent the foreclosure wave during the election year – which has placed millions of homeowners in forbearance programs to shift the mortgage crisis until after November .
Property data and analytics firm CoreLogic published a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are starting to rise .
CoreLogic said on a national level , 7.3 % of mortgages were 30+ days or more overdue ( in May ) .
This is a 3.7-percentage point increase in the overall delinquency rate compared to 3.6 % in May 2019 .
• Early-Stage Delinquencies ( 30 to 59 days past due ) : 3 % , up from 1.7 % in May 2019 .
• Adverse Delinquency ( 60 to 89 days past due ) : 2.8 % , up from 0.6 % in May 2019 .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past due , including loans in foreclosure ) : 1.5 % , up from 1.3 % in May 2019 .
This is the first year-over-year increase in the serious delinquency rate since November 2010 .
Government and industry relief programs have provided a temporary safety net for millions of homeowners unable to service their mortgage .
The housing crisis is expected to begin after the election : “ U.S .
serious delinquency rate to quadruple by the end of 2021 , pushing 3 million homeowners into serious delinquency , ” said CoreLogic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extra Income Frank Martell , president and CEO of CoreLogic , said , “ barring additional intervention from the Federal and State governments , we are likely to see meaningful spikes in delinquencies over the short to medium term.
” All states logged increases in overall delinquency rates in May from a year earlier .
New Jersey and Nevada , both still hot spots for the virus , experienced the largest overall delinquency gains with 6.4 percentage-point increases each in May , compared to one year earlier .
New York again remained atop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Florida experienced a gain of 5.8 percentage points .
On the metro level , nearly every U.S. metropolitan area posted at least a small annual increase in their overall delinquency rate , with tourism destinations such as Miami , Florida ( up 9.2 percentage points ) , and Kahului , Hawaii ( up 8.8 percentage points ) , posting two of the largest increases .
Odessa , Texas — which has a local economy strongly tied to the oil industry — also logged a considerable increase , posting an annual gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 75 % of all metro areas logged at least a small increase in their serious delinquency rate .
Odessa , Texas , and Laredo , Texas , tied for largest increase with gains of 1.1 percentage points each .
McAllen , Texas ; Midland , Texas and Hattiesburg , Mississippi all followed with gains of 0.7 percentage-points each .
-CoreLogic And while the Trump administration is now in “ bailout everyone mode ” – their ability to dissolve the financial crisis in its entirety will likely not succeed but only push off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
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By Tyler Durden
Readers may recall as early as April we outlined how mortgage lenders were preparing for the most significant wave of delinquencies in history as tens of millions of people lost their jobs because of the virus-induced recession.
Mortgage lending standards have since tightened as mass foreclosures and mortgage market mayhem appears to be ahead.
The Trump administration has found creative ways to prevent the foreclosure wave during the election year – which has placed millions of homeowners in forbearance programs to shift the mortgage crisis until after November.
Property data and analytics firm CoreLogic published a new report Tuesday warning about early-stage delinquency rates are starting to rise.
CoreLogic said on a national level, 7.3% of mortgages were 30+ days or more overdue (in May). This is a 3.7-percentage point increase in the overall delinquency rate compared to 3.6% in May 2019.
Stages of delinquency:
Early-Stage Delinquencies (30 to 59 days past due): 3%, up from 1.7% in May 2019.
(30 to 59 days past due): 3%, up from 1.7% in May 2019. Adverse Delinquency (60 to 89 days past due): 2.8%, up from 0.6% in May 2019.
(60 to 89 days past due): 2.8%, up from 0.6% in May 2019. Serious Delinquency (90 days or more past due, including loans in foreclosure): 1.5%, up from 1.3% in May 2019. This is the first year-over-year increase in the serious delinquency rate since November 2010.
National Overview of Loan Performance
CoreLogic’s chief economist Dr. Frank Nothaft said, “the national unemployment rate soared from a 50-year low in February 2020, to an 80-year high in April. With the sudden loss of income, many homeowners are struggling to stay on top of their mortgage loans, resulting in a jump in non-payment.”
Government and industry relief programs have provided a temporary safety net for millions of homeowners unable to service their mortgage. The housing crisis is expected to begin after the election:
“U.S. serious delinquency rate to quadruple by the end of 2021, pushing 3 million homeowners into serious delinquency,” said CoreLogic.
Frank Martell, president and CEO of CoreLogic, said, “barring additional intervention from the Federal and State governments, we are likely to see meaningful spikes in delinquencies over the short to medium term.”
All states logged increases in overall delinquency rates in May from a year earlier. New Jersey and Nevada, both still hot spots for the virus, experienced the largest overall delinquency gains with 6.4 percentage-point increases each in May, compared to one year earlier. New York again remained atop the list with a 6.1 percentage-point increase, while Florida experienced a gain of 5.8 percentage points. On the metro level, nearly every U.S. metropolitan area posted at least a small annual increase in their overall delinquency rate, with tourism destinations such as Miami, Florida (up 9.2 percentage points), and Kahului, Hawaii (up 8.8 percentage points), posting two of the largest increases. Odessa, Texas — which has a local economy strongly tied to the oil industry — also logged a considerable increase, posting an annual gain of 9 percentage points. Meanwhile, over 75% of all metro areas logged at least a small increase in their serious delinquency rate. Odessa, Texas, and Laredo, Texas, tied for largest increase with gains of 1.1 percentage points each. McAllen, Texas; Midland, Texas and Hattiesburg, Mississippi all followed with gains of 0.7 percentage-points each. -CoreLogic
And while the Trump administration is now in “bailout everyone mode” – their ability to dissolve the financial crisis in its entirety will likely not succeed but only push off part two of the crisis until after the election.
Source: Zerohedge
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activistpost--2020-08-11--Update:  Lawsuit Against FCC’s $9B 5G Giveaway Courtesy of Bruce Kushnick and The IRREGULATORS

Activist Post has reported about these fabulous telecom whistleblowers before ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) .
Thanks to Bruce Kushnick for posting an update on their lawsuit .
The FCC has decided that it should give $ 9 billion for the deployment of wireless 5G , but the FCC has never examined that there has been a massive cross-subsidies of the wireless networks , where Local phone customers have ended up being charged for the fiber optic networks used by Verizon and AT & T wireless .
We filed for the FCC to investigate these cross-subsidies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communications Commission ( FCC ) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry .
They have been a corrupt and “ captured agency ” for decades but have become much more dangerous since Trump took office ( see 1 , 2 , 3 .
4 .
5 , 6 , 7 , .8 ) .
Current FCC Chair Ajit Pai refers to their approach as being “ not heavy handed.
” Lawsuits have also been filed against the agency for NOT protecting Americans from unsafe levels of radiation as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , 4 , 5 ) .
American opposition to 5G is obviously not limited to biological and environmental risks ( see 1 , 2 ) from radiation .
Federal agencies and other experts have warned that 5G can threaten national security , public safety , and weather forecasting accuracy ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) .
In fact , there is so much controversy regarding this technology that Trump recently withdrew his re-nomination of a veteran FCC commissioner because of it .
Since 2018 people and animals have been getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned on ( see 1 .
2 , 3 , 4 ) .
Of course other sources of wireless can cause illness too .
Let ’ s not forget though that in 2019 , telecom executives testified that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe .
Congressional members have formally addressed the FCC with their 5G safety concerns .
In addition to municipalities filing lawsuits against the agency , they have passed resolutions to ban 5G until studies prove it ’ s safe ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinances to limit and/or control installation .
State representatives in Hawaii have also introduced a bill to ban 5G until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Cities worldwide AND entire countries have taken action to ban , delay , halt , and limit installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) .
In fact , the majority of scientists worldwide are opposed to deployment until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Become an Activist Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patreon .
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology .
For more information visit our archives and the following websites .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
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By B.N. Frank
Activist Post has reported about these fabulous telecom whistleblowers before (see 1, 2, 3). Thanks to Bruce Kushnick for posting an update on their lawsuit.
From Irregulators:
FCC $9 Billion 5G Giveaway. August 11, 2020 – Bruce Kushnick The FCC has decided that it should give $9 billion for the deployment of wireless 5G, but the FCC has never examined that there has been a massive cross-subsidies of the wireless networks, where Local phone customers have ended up being charged for the fiber optic networks used by Verizon and AT&T wireless. We filed for the FCC to investigate these cross-subsidies, which include 5G wireless.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry. They have been a corrupt and “captured agency” for decades but have become much more dangerous since Trump took office (see 1, 2, 3. 4. 5, 6, 7,.8). Current FCC Chair Ajit Pai refers to their approach as being “not heavy handed.” Lawsuits have also been filed against the agency for NOT protecting Americans from unsafe levels of radiation as well as 5G (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
American opposition to 5G is obviously not limited to biological and environmental risks (see 1, 2) from radiation. Federal agencies and other experts have warned that 5G can threaten national security, public safety, and weather forecasting accuracy (see 1, 2, 3). In fact, there is so much controversy regarding this technology that Trump recently withdrew his re-nomination of a veteran FCC commissioner because of it.
Since 2018 people and animals have been getting sick where 5G has been installed and turned on (see 1. 2, 3, 4). Of course other sources of wireless can cause illness too. Let’s not forget though that in 2019, telecom executives testified that they had NO scientific evidence that 5G is safe.
Congressional members have formally addressed the FCC with their 5G safety concerns. In addition to municipalities filing lawsuits against the agency, they have passed resolutions to ban 5G until studies prove it’s safe (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6) and ordinances to limit and/or control installation. State representatives in Hawaii have also introduced a bill to ban 5G until studies show that it’s safe. Cities worldwide AND entire countries have taken action to ban, delay, halt, and limit installation AS WELL AS issue moratoriums (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). In fact, the majority of scientists worldwide are opposed to deployment until studies show that it’s safe.
Become an Activist Post Patron for $1 per month at Patreon.
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives and the following websites.
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-08-11--One Step at a Time — PhD Clarifies 5G Health Risks from Exposure

In 2019 the World Health Organization warned that high levels of Electromagnetic Radiation ( aka “ Electrosmog ” ) could lead to health problems in a significant percentage of the population .
Also in 2019 , telecom executives gave U.S. congressional testimony that they had NO proof that 5G is safe .
This seems to be why the majority of scientists worldwide are opposed to 5G deployment until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Of course , it ’ s not just scientists opposed until studies show that it ’ s safe .
Cities worldwide and ENTIRE COUNTRIES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , halt , and limit installation as well as issue 5G moratoriums ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) .
Regardless , it continues to be installed and turned on in many places ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 .
6 , 7 , 8 ) despite reports of illness after it ’ s been installed ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) .
Of course , other sources of wireless are harmful too ( see 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning .
Thanks to the Gisborne Herald for publishing an editorial about this from Dr. Mary Redmayne .
From Environmental Health Trust : Gisborne Herald : 5G Confusion – Clarification One Step at a Time by Dr. Mary Redmayne What a polarising topic 5G has become .
This is unsurprising since the information we hear varies greatly from government , Telcos , and scientists ( industry-funded and independent ) , through to conspiracy theorists .
Today , I will address just one recent statement from our Ministry of Health : “ exposures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower than , those from existing cellsites , and [ are ] small fractions of the public limit in the standard ” .
The statement is misleading , and the topic is complex .
Let me explain .
The last part of the MoH statement claims that measured 5G exposures “ [ are ] small fractions of the public limit in the standard [ 2772.1-1999 ] .
” This assumes the standard provides safety .
Actually , it only seeks “ minimal levels of radio-frequency absorption ” and to minimize the chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It clearly does not minimize absorption as a more stringent standard would reduce the permitted maximum .
Preventing burns/shocks is insufficient to assure health is intact .
Many biological effects occur from ‘ small fractions of the public limit ’ .
Some of these are known precursors to serious diseases .
Now to 5G .
Once fully functioning , 5G signals will be different from 2G , 3G and 4G transmissions in key ways .
Currently these differences may not apply .
Here are some key differences : 1 – 5G will transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our exposure standard evaluates average exposures .
The average may be lower than 2G/3G/4G because the 5G component will only transmit when being used .
But during use , the energy in the beams will be high .
The beams will interact with people/animals/trees .
This is the first time these beams have been intended for public devices used against the body .
Increased use , even 5G device ownership , will mean increased exposure .
How energy is delivered makes a difference .
For instance , if the energy used in patting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were delivered in one blow , the outcome could be ghastly .
In this analogy , the sustained patting represents averaged radio-frequency exposure ; the one blow represents the focused beam .
2 – If a transmitting phone is used/stored against the head or body research indicates that permitted 5G exposures could cause burns .
Although the RMA regulations do not permit exceeding public limits , it seems exposure could cause burns within those limits .
This , and other research , demonstrates there are RMA ‘ effects ’ from phone exposures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the exposure standard .
3 – The user will be exposed to 5G beams when the phone is receiving and sending information .
Current phones increase exposure only when sending .
4 – Private phones may be used to support Telco infrastructure to re-direct others ’ wireless traffic when there are insufficient public transmitters , further increasing personal exposures .
5 – Most 5G energy is expected to be absorbed in the top layers of the skin , deep enough to impact on peripheral blood vessels .
This does not seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I attended a hearing of Parliament ’ s Regulations Review Committee as an expert witness for the NZ Outdoors Party .
It had brought a complaint relevant to 5G and our exposure standard .
Subsequently , I submitted Supplementary Evidence responding to the main question the Committee had asked to be addressed .
Briefly , this was whether NZ ’ s radio-frequency exposure standard complies with the Resource Management Act 1991 .
There is strong evidence that it does not .
Additionally , our standard which is based on the 1998 ICNIRP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the revised ICNIRP Guidelines may also not be intrinsically safe .
For instance , they allow 5⁰C increases in temperature in some organs , including the cornea of the eye , but this is a topic for another article .
I do not and have not received any funding from the telco industry nor from the NZ Outdoors Party , nor , currently , from the universities with which I am affiliated .
My supplementary evidence can be read here , along with my credentials https : //www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary_Redmayne2/research The hearing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here https : //vimeo.com/event/86156/videos/425380738 Also adding to increasing radiation levels , satellites and similar vehicles continue to be launched to blast 5G and WiFi at us from the skies ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ) .
For more information about that recipe-for-disaster , attend the free 5G Space Wars webinar event on Thursday , August 13 .
Become an Activist Post Patron for $ 1 per month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 5G , WiFi , and other sources of “ Electrosmog.
” For more information , visit our archives .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
In 2019 the World Health Organization warned that high levels of Electromagnetic Radiation (aka “Electrosmog”) could lead to health problems in a significant percentage of the population. Also in 2019, telecom executives gave U.S. congressional testimony that they had NO proof that 5G is safe. This seems to be why the majority of scientists worldwide are opposed to 5G deployment until studies show that it’s safe.
Of course, it’s not just scientists opposed until studies show that it’s safe. Cities worldwide and ENTIRE COUNTRIES have taken action to ban, delay, halt, and limit installation as well as issue 5G moratoriums (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Regardless, it continues to be installed and turned on in many places (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6, 7, 8) despite reports of illness after it’s been installed (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Of course, other sources of wireless are harmful too (see 1, 2), hence the 2019 WHO warning.
Thanks to the Gisborne Herald for publishing an editorial about this from Dr. Mary Redmayne. From Environmental Health Trust:
Gisborne Herald: 5G Confusion – Clarification One Step at a Time by Dr. Mary Redmayne
Aug 11, 2020
PUBLISHED SATURDAY 25 JULY 2020 online at http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/okategoriserade/20200725/5g-confusion-clarification-one-step-at-a-time/
Editorial/Article for Gisborne Herald 10 July 2020
5G confusion – clarification one step at a time
What a polarising topic 5G has become. This is unsurprising since the information we hear varies greatly from government, Telcos, and scientists (industry-funded and independent), through to conspiracy theorists.
Today, I will address just one recent statement from our Ministry of Health: “exposures to 5G signals are similar to, or lower than, those from existing cellsites, and [are] small fractions of the public limit in the standard”.
The statement is misleading, and the topic is complex. Let me explain. The last part of the MoH statement claims that measured 5G exposures “[are] small fractions of the public limit in the standard [2772.1-1999].” This assumes the standard provides safety. Actually, it only seeks “minimal levels of radio-frequency absorption” and to minimize the chance of burns and shocks over short periods.
It clearly does not minimize absorption as a more stringent standard would reduce the permitted maximum. Preventing burns/shocks is insufficient to assure health is intact. Many biological effects occur from ‘small fractions of the public limit’. Some of these are known precursors to serious diseases.
Now to 5G. Once fully functioning, 5G signals will be different from 2G, 3G and 4G transmissions in key ways. Currently these differences may not apply. Here are some key differences:
1 – 5G will transmit power in narrow, high-power beams. Our exposure standard evaluates average exposures. The average may be lower than 2G/3G/4G because the 5G component will only transmit when being used. But during use, the energy in the beams will be high. The beams will interact with people/animals/trees. This is the first time these beams have been intended for public devices used against the body. Increased use, even 5G device ownership, will mean increased exposure.
How energy is delivered makes a difference. For instance, if the energy used in patting a baby to sleep over 30 minutes were delivered in one blow, the outcome could be ghastly. In this analogy, the sustained patting represents averaged radio-frequency exposure; the one blow represents the focused beam.
2 – If a transmitting phone is used/stored against the head or body research indicates that permitted 5G exposures could cause burns. Although the RMA regulations do not permit exceeding public limits, it seems exposure could cause burns within those limits. This, and other research, demonstrates there are RMA ‘effects’ from phone exposures, so the RMA is not in line with the exposure standard.
3 – The user will be exposed to 5G beams when the phone is receiving and sending information. Current phones increase exposure only when sending.
4 – Private phones may be used to support Telco infrastructure to re-direct others’ wireless traffic when there are insufficient public transmitters, further increasing personal exposures.
5 – Most 5G energy is expected to be absorbed in the top layers of the skin, deep enough to impact on peripheral blood vessels. This does not seem to have been tested or considered.
Recently, I attended a hearing of Parliament’s Regulations Review Committee as an expert witness for the NZ Outdoors Party. It had brought a complaint relevant to 5G and our exposure standard. Subsequently, I submitted Supplementary Evidence responding to the main question the Committee had asked to be addressed. Briefly, this was whether NZ’s radio-frequency exposure standard complies with the Resource Management Act 1991. There is strong evidence that it does not.
Additionally, our standard which is based on the 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines is not suitable for fully-functional 5G, and the revised ICNIRP Guidelines may also not be intrinsically safe. For instance, they allow 5⁰C increases in temperature in some organs, including the cornea of the eye, but this is a topic for another article.
Mary Redmayne, PhD
I do not and have not received any funding from the telco industry nor from the NZ Outdoors Party, nor, currently, from the universities with which I am affiliated. My supplementary evidence can be read here, along with my credentials https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary_Redmayne2/research
The hearing at the New Zealand Parliament can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/event/86156/videos/425380738
Also adding to increasing radiation levels, satellites and similar vehicles continue to be launched to blast 5G and WiFi at us from the skies (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). For more information about that recipe-for-disaster, attend the free 5G Space Wars webinar event on Thursday, August 13.
Become an Activist Post Patron for $1 per month at Patreon.
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G, WiFi, and other sources of “Electrosmog.” For more information, visit our archives.
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-08-11--New York City Police Use Pandemic To Create COVID-19 Checkpoints

A recent article in The New York Post revealed how the NYPD used the pandemic to justify creating COVID-19 checkpoints .
Police are using the pandemic as an excuse to circumvent the Fourth Amendment by asking a vehicle ’ s occupants to answer questions like have they spent more than 24 hours during the previous 14 days in any state on New York ’ s restricted list ?
The city has the audacity to claim that these stops are “ quick and educational.
” There is nothing quick and educational about being stopped and questioned by government officials .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 dollars ?
Earlier this year , The Orlando Sentinel called COVID-19 checkpoints security theater , and worried about the cost to taxpayers .
COVID-19 checkpoints have also been set up in Rhode Island , North Carolina , Colorado , Mississippi , Louisiana and Texas .
Government officials use COVID-19 as an excuse to question and interrogate visitors .
Imagine getting off a train or bus in New York City and being forced to go through a government checkpoint .
This is America , you say ?
I can refuse to answer their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer their questions could be fined anywhere from $ 2,000- $ 10,000 .
Three years ago , I revealed that police have created thirty-three different types of checkpoints .
But this latest ploy ; using a pandemic as an excuse to create another police checkpoint , is inexcusable .
COVID-19 checkpoints make a mockery of police reform and tramples our Bill of Rights .
It is only a matter of time before COVID-19 checkpoints spread across the country .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace and freedom HERE !
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By MassPrivateI
A recent article in The New York Post revealed how the NYPD used the pandemic to justify creating COVID-19 checkpoints.
New York officials have stopped 353 cars at entrances to the Big Apple to warn travelers of the mandatory two-week quarantine rule. The stops were made from Wednesday through Friday at bridges and tunnels, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office.
Police are using the pandemic as an excuse to circumvent the Fourth Amendment by asking a vehicle’s occupants to answer questions like have they spent more than 24 hours during the previous 14 days in any state on New York’s restricted list?
The city has the audacity to claim that these stops are “quick and educational.” There is nothing quick and educational about being stopped and questioned by government officials.
Is there anything educational about fining people $10,000 dollars?
Travelers who violate the quarantine rule could face up to $10,000 in fines. There are currently 35 states plus Puerto Rico on the list.
Earlier this year, The Orlando Sentinel called COVID-19 checkpoints security theater, and worried about the cost to taxpayers. COVID-19 checkpoints have also been set up in Rhode Island, North Carolina, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
Penn Station COVID-19 checkpoint
A WKZO article shows U.S. military personnel conducting a COVID-19 checkpoint at Penn Station.
A few dozen travelers got off a train from Miami at New York City’s Penn Station on Thursday and were greeted by a team of public health workers and mayoral office staff who handed them informational fliers about the state’s new COVID-19 quarantine rules.
Government officials use COVID-19 as an excuse to question and interrogate visitors.
The team, comprised of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s public engagement unit and the city’s COVID-19 Test & Trace Corps, were running a checkpoint starting at Penn Station on Thursday to ensure that visitors from any of the 35 states on New York’s travel advisory were aware of the 14-day quarantine mandate.
Imagine getting off a train or bus in New York City and being forced to go through a government checkpoint. This is America, you say? I can refuse to answer their questions, right?
People who refuse to answer their questions could be fined anywhere from $2,000-$10,000.
A spokeswoman for City Hall said refusing to fill out the quarantine form could subject travelers from designated states to a $2000 fine, and violations of the quarantine orders could result in a $10,000 fine.
Three years ago, I revealed that police have created thirty-three different types of checkpoints. But this latest ploy; using a pandemic as an excuse to create another police checkpoint, is inexcusable.
COVID-19 checkpoints make a mockery of police reform and tramples our Bill of Rights. It is only a matter of time before COVID-19 checkpoints spread across the country.
Source: MassPrivateI Blog
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-08-11--After Multiple Ft. Hood Soldiers Murdered, 2 More Soldiers Arrested Child Trafficking Sting

The Fort Hood military base in Texas has come under extreme scrutiny in recent months as numerous dead soldiers were found on or around the base .
This week , the base was in the news again after two Fort Hood soldiers were caught up in the bust of a child trafficking ring .
The soldiers were among nine Texas residents who were arrested during a two-day child sex trafficking sting in Killeen , the city where the base is located .
“ The overall goal of this joint effort was to locate and arrest subjects who were willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in sexual acts , ” police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez said , according to KWTX .
Miramontez said that social media exchanges between the men running the organization and undercover agents showed that they knowingly traded money , drugs , and alcohol “ for sexual acts with girls they believed were 15 or 16 years of age.
” The men arrested include 25-year-old , Anthony Xavier Antwon of Fort Hood , 40-year-old Javier Perez , of Austin , 21-year-old Brian Harley Flynn , of Temple , 25-year-old Brandon Anthony Lee , of Killeen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lott , 30-year-old Timmy Jones Jr. , of Fort Hood , 39-year-old Shaun Paul Moore , of Kempner , 28-year-old Rakeem Jamal Nelson , of Killeen , and 32-year-old Pierre Jean , of Killeen .
This news comes on the heels of another sex trafficking bust that took place last month in which 6 Fort Hood soldiers were arrested in a sex trafficking sting .
It also comes after a string of suspicious and outright violent and gruesome deaths of soldiers .
The first missing soldier to be reported by the national media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 21st .
The remains were identified as 24-year-old soldier Gregory Morales , who had been missing for months .
His death was not even being investigated , as officials with the Army believed that he deserted the base , but now they do suspect that he was murdered .
Then on July 1st , the body of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen was found near the base .
A suspect in that case , Fort Hood soldier Aaron Robinson , shot and killed himself as police moved in to arrest him .
Then last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body was found 15 miles outside of the military base , making it the third body found in just the last month .
The remains were identified as 26-year-old Mejhor Morta , a soldier from Florida who just joined the army last year as a mechanic .
Countless people have taken to social media after the discovery of Morta ’ s body and have called for the closing of Fort Hood .
If we go back a few more months , there are even more bodies .
Pfc .
Brandon Rosecrans , 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound near his burning Jeep on May 18 .
Spc .
Freddy Delacruz Jr. , 23 , was among three victims found dead of gunshot wounds at an off-base apartment complex on March 14 .
Spc .
Christopher Sawyer , 29 , was found unresponsive in his on-post residence on March 9 .
Spc .
Shelby Jones , 20 , was shot and killed at a strip club near Fort Hood on March 1 .
In addition to the recent string of murders , the base is generally not a safe place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , Fort Hood had the highest number of reported sexual assaults and rapes of any US military facility worldwide , based on data from 2014 .
Fort Hood is one of ten Army bases in the United States that are named after former Confederate generals .
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking .
please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1 ( 888 ) 373-7888 , texting HELP or INFO to 233733 , or visiting humantraffickinghotline.org .
According to the Texas Attorney General ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims of youth and minor sex trafficking in Texas at any given time , along with 234,000 victims of labor trafficking .
It ’ s estimated that 25 million children are enslaved worldwide .
John Vibes is an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference .
He also has a publishing company where he offers a censorship free platform for both fiction and non-fiction writers .
You can contact him and stay connected to his work at his Twitter .
John just won a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be working to help others through his experience , if you wish to contribute to his treatments consider subscribing to his podcast to support .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
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Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By John Vibes
The Fort Hood military base in Texas has come under extreme scrutiny in recent months as numerous dead soldiers were found on or around the base. This week, the base was in the news again after two Fort Hood soldiers were caught up in the bust of a child trafficking ring. The soldiers were among nine Texas residents who were arrested during a two-day child sex trafficking sting in Killeen, the city where the base is located.
“The overall goal of this joint effort was to locate and arrest subjects who were willing to make overt efforts to pay minors to engage in sexual acts,” police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez said, according to KWTX.
Miramontez said that social media exchanges between the men running the organization and undercover agents showed that they knowingly traded money, drugs, and alcohol “for sexual acts with girls they believed were 15 or 16 years of age.”
The men arrested include 25-year-old, Anthony Xavier Antwon of Fort Hood, 40-year-old Javier Perez, of Austin, 21-year-old Brian Harley Flynn, of Temple, 25-year-old Brandon Anthony Lee, of Killeen, 42-year-old Dustin Edward Johnson, of Lott, 30-year-old Timmy Jones Jr., of Fort Hood, 39-year-old Shaun Paul Moore, of Kempner, 28-year-old Rakeem Jamal Nelson, of Killeen, and 32-year-old Pierre Jean, of Killeen.
This news comes on the heels of another sex trafficking bust that took place last month in which 6 Fort Hood soldiers were arrested in a sex trafficking sting. It also comes after a string of suspicious and outright violent and gruesome deaths of soldiers.
The first missing soldier to be reported by the national media was found dead near the base on June 21st. The remains were identified as 24-year-old soldier Gregory Morales, who had been missing for months. His death was not even being investigated, as officials with the Army believed that he deserted the base, but now they do suspect that he was murdered.
Then on July 1st, the body of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen was found near the base. A suspect in that case, Fort Hood soldier Aaron Robinson, shot and killed himself as police moved in to arrest him. Then last month, another missing soldier’s body was found 15 miles outside of the military base, making it the third body found in just the last month. The remains were identified as 26-year-old Mejhor Morta, a soldier from Florida who just joined the army last year as a mechanic.
Countless people have taken to social media after the discovery of Morta’s body and have called for the closing of Fort Hood.
If we go back a few more months, there are even more bodies. Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans, 27, was found dead from a gunshot wound near his burning Jeep on May 18. Spc. Freddy Delacruz Jr., 23, was among three victims found dead of gunshot wounds at an off-base apartment complex on March 14. Spc. Christopher Sawyer, 29, was found unresponsive in his on-post residence on March 9. Spc. Shelby Jones, 20, was shot and killed at a strip club near Fort Hood on March 1.
In addition to the recent string of murders, the base is generally not a safe place for women. According to a 2018 RAND study, Fort Hood had the highest number of reported sexual assaults and rapes of any US military facility worldwide, based on data from 2014.
Fort Hood is one of ten Army bases in the United States that are named after former Confederate generals.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking. please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1 (888) 373-7888, texting HELP or INFO to 233733, or visiting humantraffickinghotline.org.
According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, there are roughly 79,000 victims of youth and minor sex trafficking in Texas at any given time, along with 234,000 victims of labor trafficking. It’s estimated that 25 million children are enslaved worldwide.
Source: The Free Thought Project
John Vibes is an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. He also has a publishing company where he offers a censorship free platform for both fiction and non-fiction writers. You can contact him and stay connected to his work at his Twitter. John just won a 3-year-long battle with cancer, and will be working to help others through his experience, if you wish to contribute to his treatments consider subscribing to his podcast to support .
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activistpost--2020-08-11--35% Of Small Business Owners Tapped Personal Savings To Pay Rent, Wages During Pandemic

As the federal government steps in to bail out overleveraged borrowers in the commercial real estate space , a growing body of evidence is highlighting the fact that Congress ’ s ‘ PPP ’ lending program – despite the fact that it has been extended through Aug. 8 – still wasn ’ t enough to save many small business owners from ruin ( though there was unsurprisingly no shortage of fraud ) .
A survey published by CreditCards.com shows that 35 % of small-business owners were forced to dip into emergency savings to help tide their business or businesses over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered a worrisome fact – 35 % of American small-business decision-makers have tapped into personal funds to finance their businesses since the pandemic struck .
That includes those who have dipped into a personal savings account ( 21 % ) , used a personal credit card ( 24 % ) or both ( 10 % ) .
Also notable , 38 % of business leaders have turned to either business or personal credit cards during this time , with 20 % of those polled leaning on business cards .
Paying off credit card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a way to do so efficiently .
Negotiating interest rates and paying more than the minimum are two ways to reduce the total time and amount of money repaid .
“ Many of the normal debt reduction tools are in shorter supply these days – for instance , 0 % balance transfer offers have dried up due to worries about the economy .
That ’ s why it ’ s so important to be creative and ask for a break , ” Rossman added .
Another good strategy : If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to put some money toward your debt , prioritize the highest interest rates in order to reduce the total interest expense .
Meanwhile , the single most popular form of funding was Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration , used by 30 % of small businesses .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income To stay afloat until 2021 , small business decision-makers say they will need : CreditCards.com commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey .
All figures , unless otherwise stated , are from YouGov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 499 small-business decision-makers .
Fieldwork was undertaken from July 14-20 , 2020 .
The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards .
It employed a non-probability-based sample using both quotas upfront during collection and then a weighting scheme on the back end designed and proven to provide nationally representative results .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from what ’ s coming !
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By Tyler Durden
As the federal government steps in to bail out overleveraged borrowers in the commercial real estate space, a growing body of evidence is highlighting the fact that Congress’s ‘PPP’ lending program – despite the fact that it has been extended through Aug. 8 – still wasn’t enough to save many small business owners from ruin (though there was unsurprisingly no shortage of fraud).
A survey published by CreditCards.com shows that 35% of small-business owners were forced to dip into emergency savings to help tide their business or businesses over.
***
Our July 2020 Small Business Poll uncovered a worrisome fact – 35% of American small-business decision-makers have tapped into personal funds to finance their businesses since the pandemic struck. That includes those who have dipped into a personal savings account (21%), used a personal credit card (24%) or both (10%).
“It’s commendable how far these dedicated business owners are willing to go in search of their dreams,” says Ted Rossman, industry analyst at CreditCards.com. “I worry, however, about the debt they’re taking on, and how they’re potentially putting their personal finances at risk.”
Also notable, 38% of business leaders have turned to either business or personal credit cards during this time, with 20% of those polled leaning on business cards.
Paying off credit card debt can be stressful, but there’s a way to do so efficiently. Negotiating interest rates and paying more than the minimum are two ways to reduce the total time and amount of money repaid. “Many of the normal debt reduction tools are in shorter supply these days – for instance, 0% balance transfer offers have dried up due to worries about the economy. That’s why it’s so important to be creative and ask for a break,” Rossman added. Another good strategy: If you have multiple cards with balances and are able to put some money toward your debt, prioritize the highest interest rates in order to reduce the total interest expense.
Meanwhile, the single most popular form of funding was Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration, used by 30% of small businesses.
Unfortunately, the negative effects of the pandemic are ongoing for many small-business owners, many of whom see trouble on the horizon. The majority of small-business leaders (53%) agree that they will need either an increase in sales or some type of assistance just to stay in business this year.
To stay afloat until 2021, small business decision-makers say they will need:
An increase in sales (32%)
Government assistance, such as stimulus funding (19%)
Any type of loan (13%)
“I’m encouraged by the spirit behind these findings. Even in an incredibly difficult year, small businesses remain resilient and optimistic – they’re taking matters into their own hands. They’re important parts of our communities and our economy, and we’re rooting for them,” says Rossman.
Methodology
CreditCards.com commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 499 small-business decision-makers. Fieldwork was undertaken from July 14-20, 2020. The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards. It employed a non-probability-based sample using both quotas upfront during collection and then a weighting scheme on the back end designed and proven to provide nationally representative results.
* * *
Source: CreditCards.com
Article source: Zerohedge
Image: Pixabay
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Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
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Authoritarianism in Auckland

For months we ’ ve heard the cry : oh how wonderfully New Zealand dealt with the coronavirus !
They did the tightest lockdown in the world !
The coronavirus – no doubt astonished by the decisiveness and ferocity of prime minister Jacinda Ardern , the heroine of all media – just decided not to make this wonderful country a home .
The virus was bested by political wit !
Oh what a fantasy it was all along , as Oxford ’ s Sunetra Gupta pointed out from the beginning .
What was actually happening in New Zealand was delaying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is no chance for a developed society to replicate the experience of a primitive tribe with naive immune systems living in isolation .
You wouldn ’ t want to do that anyway because you make the whole population of your tribe fatally vulnerable to the next bug that comes along .
In Gupta ’ s view , New Zealand ’ s “ success ” wouldn ’ t be that at all .
By the way , she also finds New Zealand ’ s approach immoral , a selfish demand that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of herd immunity while Kiwis hide in their homes and surf the Internet .
Indeed , interestingly , she regards the New Zealand policy as a violation of the global social contract — the first truly persuasive deployment of that phrase that I ’ ve heard .
Still , after 100 days , the New York Times sang a hymn to the country and its leader : “ New Zealand ’ s successful fight against COVID-19 has made the Pacific island nation of 5 million one of the safest places in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proclaimed Ardern the Magnificent , is a “ Covid election.
” Alas , the virus was not entirely eradicated after all .
Going 102 days without a reported case , tests found four people in one family .
Yes , that ’ s 4 in a city of 1.7 million .
Panic time !
I could find nothing on whether they showed symptoms or how severe they are .
In any case , if the goal is complete banishment of the virus through an aggressive application of state power , clearly something has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much the country locked down and then opened up with a sense of false comfort , only to lock down again .
Talk about regime uncertainty !
People had been going about their business , eating in restaurants and going to movies , while sniffing in disdain at the rest of the world for allowing the virus to sweep through and gain herd immunity .
New Zealand found another way !
A scientific way !
There was always an issue however .
New Zealand ’ s economy relies directly and indirectly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP , and the industry employs 188,000 people .
Would it have to end permanently , or perhaps every visitor would be subjected to testing and quarantine forever ?
That wouldn ’ t exactly be good for business .
But Ardern the Wise didn ’ t apparently think about what happens after she personally decided to deny her entire population natural immunities to a virus that has otherwise spread all over the world .
With four cases , what to do ?
Well , sure enough , now Ardern the Great has announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auckland .
Everyone home .
All businesses except essentials are closed .
Public venues including libraries , museums , cinemas , food courts , gyms , pools , playgrounds and markets will all close as soon as the lockdown begins .
This announcement immediately caused panic buying .
Customers blasted past security to load up in preparation for a long period of disaster .
That ’ s one way to end a dream .
Camelot is now under police-state rule yet again .
Road blocks .
Delayed elections .
After four cases !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ground , commandos breaking down doors , restrictions on hoarding groceries , a brutal contract-tracing regime , fines and jails for daring to gather with friends , and all the concomitant side effects of lockdowns : drug overdoses , alcoholism , depression , and suicide .
Safe is not the first word to come to mind in Ardern the Magnificent ’ s safespace , where cops are a greater threat to the public than Covid-19 .
And yet the virus will stay to vex the country .
This will happen no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Holy receives from the New York Times .
Here we get to the root problem of lockdown theory .
Initially , in the US and UK , it was about curve flattening to preserve hospital capacity .
That gradually mutated into a completely different theory that politicians would use police power to suppress and eradicate a virus .
To my knowledge – anyone can read a Dummies-style book on viruses on Kindle – no truly competent immunologist would say that suppression is either viable or desirable .
And yet to one extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , save a handful , attempted to do just this .
Somehow we knew about viruses , and then suddenly , we did not .
It has been called the greatest failure of government in modern history .
New Zealand , a country of earnest people who pride themselves on intelligence and good government , took the theory of virus eradication through force to an extent not seen in any developed country .
It went full barbarism , pitched by a suave politician with a charming accent .
All was well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I apologize for my sassy tone here .
It ’ s tragic what has happened to this wonderful country .
It was my pleasure to visit there for a week .
I , like many other Americans who visit , almost considered ripping up my return plane ticket .
New Zealand looks and feels like paradise .
Sadly , thanks to brutal and deeply incompetent political leadership , that paradise is lost , lost to the superstitions of the COVID faith that power , police , and adoring news coverage can scare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
You can follow the path of infection and death in New Zealand here .
It might take a month , six months , or even a year , but it ’ s coming .
No amount of force will stop it .
Jeffrey A. Tucker is Editorial Director for the American Institute for Economic Research .
He is the author of many thousands of articles in the scholarly and popular press and eight books in 5 languages , most recently The Market Loves You .
He is also the editor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely on topics of economics , technology , social philosophy , and culture .
Jeffrey is available for speaking and interviews via his email .
Tw | FB | LinkedIn

By Jeffrey A. Tucker
For months we’ve heard the cry: oh how wonderfully New Zealand dealt with the coronavirus! They did the tightest lockdown in the world! The coronavirus – no doubt astonished by the decisiveness and ferocity of prime minister Jacinda Ardern, the heroine of all media – just decided not to make this wonderful country a home. The virus was bested by political wit!
Oh what a fantasy it was all along, as Oxford’s Sunetra Gupta pointed out from the beginning. What was actually happening in New Zealand was delaying the inevitable. In the modern world, there is no chance for a developed society to replicate the experience of a primitive tribe with naive immune systems living in isolation.
You wouldn’t want to do that anyway because you make the whole population of your tribe fatally vulnerable to the next bug that comes along. In Gupta’s view, New Zealand’s “success” wouldn’t be that at all.
By the way, she also finds New Zealand’s approach immoral, a selfish demand that the rest of the world bear the burden of herd immunity while Kiwis hide in their homes and surf the Internet. Indeed, interestingly, she regards the New Zealand policy as a violation of the global social contract — the first truly persuasive deployment of that phrase that I’ve heard.
Still, after 100 days, the New York Times sang a hymn to the country and its leader: “New Zealand’s successful fight against COVID-19 has made the Pacific island nation of 5 million one of the safest places in the world right now.”
Her upcoming election, proclaimed Ardern the Magnificent, is a “Covid election.”
Alas, the virus was not entirely eradicated after all. Going 102 days without a reported case, tests found four people in one family. Yes, that’s 4 in a city of 1.7 million. Panic time!
I could find nothing on whether they showed symptoms or how severe they are. In any case, if the goal is complete banishment of the virus through an aggressive application of state power, clearly something has to be done.
You can observe how much the country locked down and then opened up with a sense of false comfort, only to lock down again. Talk about regime uncertainty!
People had been going about their business, eating in restaurants and going to movies, while sniffing in disdain at the rest of the world for allowing the virus to sweep through and gain herd immunity. New Zealand found another way! A scientific way!
There was always an issue however. New Zealand’s economy relies directly and indirectly on international tourism for 10% of its GDP, and the industry employs 188,000 people. Would it have to end permanently, or perhaps every visitor would be subjected to testing and quarantine forever? That wouldn’t exactly be good for business.
But Ardern the Wise didn’t apparently think about what happens after she personally decided to deny her entire population natural immunities to a virus that has otherwise spread all over the world.
With four cases, what to do? Well, sure enough, now Ardern the Great has announced a full lockdown in the city of Auckland. Everyone home. All businesses except essentials are closed. Public venues including libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets will all close as soon as the lockdown begins. This announcement immediately caused panic buying. Customers blasted past security to load up in preparation for a long period of disaster.
Police are at New Lynn Countdown after people ripped the doors open when security tried to control the amount of people rushing in. That woman is saying she needs food for her kid. This ain’t it Auckland. pic.twitter.com/PDf1Oe26Mx — Matt Manukia (@MattManukiaTVNZ) August 11, 2020
That’s one way to end a dream.
Camelot is now under police-state rule yet again. Road blocks. Delayed elections. After four cases! We await videos of police tackling people to the ground, commandos breaking down doors, restrictions on hoarding groceries, a brutal contract-tracing regime, fines and jails for daring to gather with friends, and all the concomitant side effects of lockdowns: drug overdoses, alcoholism, depression, and suicide.
Safe is not the first word to come to mind in Ardern the Magnificent’s safespace, where cops are a greater threat to the public than Covid-19.
And yet the virus will stay to vex the country. This will happen no matter the heaps of praise that Ardern the Holy receives from the New York Times.
Here we get to the root problem of lockdown theory. Initially, in the US and UK, it was about curve flattening to preserve hospital capacity. That gradually mutated into a completely different theory that politicians would use police power to suppress and eradicate a virus. To my knowledge – anyone can read a Dummies-style book on viruses on Kindle – no truly competent immunologist would say that suppression is either viable or desirable. And yet to one extent or another, most governments in the world, save a handful, attempted to do just this.
Somehow we knew about viruses, and then suddenly, we did not. It has been called the greatest failure of government in modern history.
New Zealand, a country of earnest people who pride themselves on intelligence and good government, took the theory of virus eradication through force to an extent not seen in any developed country. It went full barbarism, pitched by a suave politician with a charming accent. All was well. Now barbarism is back again.
Look, I apologize for my sassy tone here. It’s tragic what has happened to this wonderful country. It was my pleasure to visit there for a week. I, like many other Americans who visit, almost considered ripping up my return plane ticket.
New Zealand looks and feels like paradise.
Sadly, thanks to brutal and deeply incompetent political leadership, that paradise is lost, lost to the superstitions of the COVID faith that power, police, and adoring news coverage can scare a pathogen to go away and stay away.
You can follow the path of infection and death in New Zealand here. It might take a month, six months, or even a year, but it’s coming. No amount of force will stop it.
Also Read: Madness in Melbourne
Source: AIER.org
Jeffrey A. Tucker is Editorial Director for the American Institute for Economic Research. He is the author of many thousands of articles in the scholarly and popular press and eight books in 5 languages, most recently The Market Loves You. He is also the editor of The Best of Mises. He speaks widely on topics of economics, technology, social philosophy, and culture. Jeffrey is available for speaking and interviews via his email. Tw | FB | LinkedIn


activistpost--2020-08-12--Water Bills Skyrocket with New Smart Meters — This Happens Frequently with Smart Meters EVERYWHERE

It ’ s likely that you have electric , gas , and/or water utility “ Smart ” Meters installed on your home or you will getting them installed very soon .
Tens of millions have been installed worldwide .
Millions more are being deployed despite all the problems associated with them .
One of the problems – unreasonably high bills after installation ( see 1 , 2 ) .
Utility companies always say it ’ s because these meters are more accurate than traditional analog meters .
Research says otherwise .
Here ’ s another report about higher bills after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — As smart water meters are seemingly causing a noticeable increase in water bills for Abilene residents , they are calling on the city to look into the issue .
According to KTXS , Abilene resident Todd Lawrence saw his last two bills $ 200 than [ sic ] his average monthly bill .
“ I just didn ’ t believe I used that much water , ” said Lawrence .
According to Amanda Pope , Public Information Officer for Abilene Water Utilities , the department has received “ a lot of calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proponents continue to promise that smart meters save customers money and help the environment .
This is incorrect ( see 1 .
2 ) .
“ Smart ” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7 , whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT .
That ’ s why utility companies continue to install them – despite all the problems and complaints .
Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell it to 3rd parties .
This is sometimes referred to as “ Surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 2-way transmitting so they emit high levels of harmful RadioFrequency ( RF ) Radiation and other sources of Electromagnetic Radiation ( EMR ) ( aka “ Electrosmog ” ) .
People worldwide have taken legal action against their utility companies because of health issues caused by these meters ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) and also meter fires and explosions .
Other issues associated with these meters include malfunctioning and broken appliances , frequent replacement , cybersecurity risks , privacy violations , and of course , higher bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cities and states to stop installation ( see 1 , 2 ) and/or offer customers the right to “ opt out ” ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) .
These meters now have such a bad reputation that many utility companies aren ’ t calling them “ Smart ” anymore in order to confuse customers .
Activist Post reports regularly about “ Smart ” Meters and other unsafe technology .
For more information , visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
It’s likely that you have electric, gas, and/or water utility “Smart” Meters installed on your home or you will getting them installed very soon. Tens of millions have been installed worldwide. Millions more are being deployed despite all the problems associated with them.
One of the problems – unreasonably high bills after installation (see 1, 2). Utility companies always say it’s because these meters are more accurate than traditional analog meters. Research says otherwise. Here’s another report about higher bills after smart meter installation.
From San Angelo Live:
ABILENE, TX — As smart water meters are seemingly causing a noticeable increase in water bills for Abilene residents, they are calling on the city to look into the issue. According to KTXS, Abilene resident Todd Lawrence saw his last two bills $200 than [sic] his average monthly bill. “I just didn’t believe I used that much water,” said Lawrence. According to Amanda Pope, Public Information Officer for Abilene Water Utilities, the department has received “a lot of calls concerned about their bills going up.” Read full article
Proponents continue to promise that smart meters save customers money and help the environment. This is incorrect (see 1. 2).
“Smart” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7, whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT. That’s why utility companies continue to install them – despite all the problems and complaints. Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell it to 3rd parties. This is sometimes referred to as “Surveillance Capitalism”.
“Smart” Meters are 2-way transmitting so they emit high levels of harmful RadioFrequency (RF) Radiation and other sources of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) (aka “Electrosmog”). People worldwide have taken legal action against their utility companies because of health issues caused by these meters (see 1, 2, 3, 4) and also meter fires and explosions. Other issues associated with these meters include malfunctioning and broken appliances, frequent replacement, cybersecurity risks, privacy violations, and of course, higher bills.
Legislation has been introduced and passed in some cities and states to stop installation (see 1, 2) and/or offer customers the right to “opt out” (see 1, 2, 3). These meters now have such a bad reputation that many utility companies aren’t calling them “Smart” anymore in order to confuse customers.
Activist Post reports regularly about “Smart” Meters and other unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-08-12--Legislation to End to Smart Meter Spying — “Get ICE Out of Our Refrigerators: YES on AB 2788”

It ’ s likely that you have electric , gas , and/or water utility “ Smart ” Meters ( see 1 , 2 ) installed on your home or you will getting them installed very soon .
Tens of millions have been installed worldwide .
Millions more are being deployed despite all the problems associated with them including fires and explosions .
“ Smart ” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7 , whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT .
Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to as “ Surveillance Capitalism ” .
Legislation was introduced in California because citizens wanted this stopped .
GET ICE OUT OF OUR REFRIGERATORS- STOP Smart Meter Spying !
Farfetched as it seems , smart meters can give away an enormous amount of information about customers , and Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) wants it .
Federal immigration authorities are taking advantage of a loophole in California ’ s privacy law to spy on consumers through their electric meters in contravention of our state ’ s policy of non-cooperation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Supreme Court Help us close that loophole so that immigrant communities receive the same data protections as other customers and utility companies are not forced to hand over customers ’ private information to ICE .
Tell your state Senator to VOTE YES on AB 2788 ( Gloria , D-San Diego ) Learn More : Questions and Answers on ICE smart meter spying How Much Do Smart Meters Know ?
Smart meters typically take hourly recordings of electric usage .
This data could be used to determine where a person lives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their daily comings and goings .
Tell Your Senator to VOTE YES today !
Why Is This Dangerous ?
Undocumented immigrants are especially vulnerable to these disclosures , since through them ICE can learn a person ’ s typical routine and learn more about everyone in their household .
Disclosure reports from large energy utilities have shown disturbing trends in the release of private data by utility companies .
ICE has been demanding thousands of customers ’ private information and has been able to obtain it without a judicial warrant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ builds on California ’ s commitment to protecting our immigrant communities .
Is ICE using smart meter data to spy on Californians ?
According to the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) a single utility , San Diego Gas & Electric , received the largest number of demands by far and handed over the records of 4,062 customers in a single year .
Yes , but ICE has been able to exploit a loophole in the law .
Despite California ’ s privacy protections , existing law allows ICE to issue its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility data without either a judicial or court order subpoena , a much higher bar .
Passage of AB 2788 would prohibit an electrical corporation , gas corporation , or local publicly owned electric utility from sharing , disclosing , or otherwise making accessible to any immigration authority a customer ’ s electrical or gas consumption data without a court-ordered subpoena or judicial warrant .
Tell Your Senator to VOTE YES today !

By B.N. Frank
It’s likely that you have electric, gas, and/or water utility “Smart” Meters (see 1, 2) installed on your home or you will getting them installed very soon. Tens of millions have been installed worldwide. Millions more are being deployed despite all the problems associated with them including fires and explosions.
“Smart” Meters collect customer usage data 24/7, whereas original 1-way transmitting analog meters DO NOT. Utilities collect and analyze usage data so they can market more products and services to customers and/or sell data to 3rd parties. This is sometimes referred to as “Surveillance Capitalism”. Legislation was introduced in California because citizens wanted this stopped.
From TURN (The Utility Reform Network):
GET ICE OUT OF OUR REFRIGERATORS- STOP Smart Meter Spying!
June 15, 2020
The problem:
Farfetched as it seems, smart meters can give away an enormous amount of information about customers, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wants it. Federal immigration authorities are taking advantage of a loophole in California’s privacy law to spy on consumers through their electric meters in contravention of our state’s policy of non-cooperation with ICE, which was recently affirmed by the US Supreme Court
The solution:
Help us close that loophole so that immigrant communities receive the same data protections as other customers and utility companies are not forced to hand over customers’ private information to ICE. Tell your state Senator to VOTE YES on AB 2788 (Gloria, D-San Diego)
Learn More: Questions and Answers on ICE smart meter spying
How Much Do Smart Meters Know?
Smart meters typically take hourly recordings of electric usage. This data could be used to determine where a person lives, the number of people in a household, and their daily comings and goings.
Tell Your Senator to VOTE YES today!
Why Is This Dangerous?
Undocumented immigrants are especially vulnerable to these disclosures, since through them ICE can learn a person’s typical routine and learn more about everyone in their household.
Disclosure reports from large energy utilities have shown disturbing trends in the release of private data by utility companies. ICE has been demanding thousands of customers’ private information and has been able to obtain it without a judicial warrant. Strengthening privacy protections for smart meter data builds on California’s commitment to protecting our immigrant communities.
Is ICE using smart meter data to spy on Californians?
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a single utility, San Diego Gas & Electric, received the largest number of demands by far and handed over the records of 4,062 customers in a single year.
Isn’t smart meter data protected?
Yes, but ICE has been able to exploit a loophole in the law. Despite California’s privacy protections, existing law allows ICE to issue its own administrative subpoenas to gain access to utility data without either a judicial or court order subpoena, a much higher bar.
Passage of AB 2788 would prohibit an electrical corporation, gas corporation, or local publicly owned electric utility from sharing, disclosing, or otherwise making accessible to any immigration authority a customer’s electrical or gas consumption data without a court-ordered subpoena or judicial warrant.
Tell Your Senator to VOTE YES today!
Take Action


activistpost--2020-08-12--Government Solutions Are Worse Than The Problem

Government sucks you in by promising to fix the problems that it created in the first place .
And it almost always makes things even worse .
Americans owe more than $ 21.5 billion in back rent right now thanks to the government shutdowns for coronavirus .
The solution ?
More government intervention .
This won ’ t end well .
• The Federal Reserve : The Engine that Drives the Powerful Government in History • Smashing Records : June Monthly Budget Deficit Bigger Than All Years Except Five • How the Fed Wrecks the Economy Michael Maharrey [ send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Tenth Amendment Center .
He is from the original home of the Principles of ’ 98 – Kentucky and currently resides in northern Florida .
See his blog archive here and his article archive here .
He is the author of the book , Our Last Hope : Rediscovering the Lost Path to Liberty .
You can visit his personal website at MichaelMaharrey.com and like him on Facebook HERE Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Michael Maharrey
Government sucks you in by promising to fix the problems that it created in the first place. And it almost always makes things even worse.
Americans owe more than $21.5 billion in back rent right now thanks to the government shutdowns for coronavirus. The solution? More government intervention. This won’t end well.
For Further Reading
More bailouts and money printing is only going to make all our economic problems even worse. @mmaharrey10th #EndTheFed pic.twitter.com/rIU74zm5Bd — TenthAmendmentCenter (@TenthAmendment) August 5, 2020
Source: Tenth Amendment Center
Michael Maharrey [send him email] is the Communications Director for the Tenth Amendment Center. He is from the original home of the Principles of ’98 – Kentucky and currently resides in northern Florida. See his blog archive here and his article archive here. He is the author of the book, Our Last Hope: Rediscovering the Lost Path to Liberty. You can visit his personal website at MichaelMaharrey.com and like him on Facebook HERE
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Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-08-12--Artificial Intelligence Is A Totalitarian’s Dream — Here’s How To Take Power Back

Individualistic Western societies are built on the idea that no one knows our thoughts , desires or joys better than we do .
And so we put ourselves , rather than the government , in charge of our lives .
We tend to agree with the philosopher Immanuel Kant ’ s claim that no one has the right to force their idea of the good life on us .
Artificial intelligence ( AI ) will change this .
It will know us better than we know ourselves .
A government armed with AI could claim to know what its people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them happy .
At best it will use this to justify paternalism , at worst , totalitarianism .
Every hell starts with a promise of heaven .
AI-led totalitarianism will be no different .
Freedom will become obedience to the state .
Only the irrational , spiteful or subversive could wish to chose their own path .
To prevent such a dystopia , we must not allow others to know more about ourselves than we do .
We can not allow a self-knowledge gap .
In 2019 , the billionaire investor Peter Thiel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
He pointed out that AI allows a centralising power to monitor citizens and know more about them than they know about themselves .
China , Thiel noted , has eagerly embraced AI .
We already know AI ’ s potential to support totalitarianism by providing an Orwellian system of surveillance and control .
But AI also gives totalitarians a philosophical weapon .
As long as we knew ourselves better than the government did , liberalism could keep aspiring totalitarians at bay .
But AI has changed the game .
Big tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our behaviour .
Machine-learning algorithms use this data to calculate not just what we will do , but who we are .
Today , AI can predict what films we will like , what news we will want to read , and who we will want to friend on Facebook .
It can predict whether couples will stay together and if we will attempt suicide .
From our Facebook likes , AI can predict our religious and political views , personality , intelligence , drug use and happiness .
The accuracy of AI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the not-too-distant future , as the writer Yuval Noah Harari has suggested , AI may tell us who we are before we ourselves know .
These developments have seismic political implications .
If governments can know us better than we can , a new justification opens up for intervening in our lives .
They will tyrannise us in the name of our own good .
The philosopher Isaiah Berlin foresaw this in 1958 .
He identified two types of freedom .
One type , he warned , would lead to tyranny .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is freedom from the interference of other people or government in your affairs .
Negative freedom is no one else being able to restrain you , as long as you aren ’ t violating anyone else ’ s rights .
In contrast , positive freedom is “ freedom to ” .
It is the freedom to be master of yourself , freedom to fulfil your true desires , freedom to live a rational life .
Who wouldn ’ t want this ?
But what if someone else says you aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , although they know how you could .
If you won ’ t listen , they may force you to be free – coercing you for your “ own good ” .
This is one of the most dangerous ideas ever conceived .
It killed tens of millions of people in Stalin ’ s Soviet Union and Mao ’ s China .
The Russian Communist leader , Lenin , is reported to have said that the capitalists would sell him the rope he would hang them with .
Peter Thiel has argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms of Silicon Valley have sold communism a tool that threatens to undermine democratic capitalist society .
AI is Lenin ’ s rope .
We can only prevent such a dystopia if no one is allowed to know us better than we know ourselves .
We must never sentimentalise anyone who seeks such power over us as well-intentioned .
Historically , this has only ever ended in calamity .
One way to prevent a self-knowledge gap is to raise our privacy shields .
Thiel , who labelled AI as communistic , has argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cryptocurrencies can be “ privacy-enabling ” .
Privacy reduces the ability of others to know us and then use this knowledge to manipulate us for their own profit .
Get $ 10 In Bitcoin for Free Yet knowing ourselves better through AI offers powerful benefits .
We may be able to use it to better understand what will make us happy , healthy and wealthy .
It may help guide our career choices .
More generally , AI promises to create the economic growth that keeps us from each other ’ s throats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our self-knowledge .
The problem is a power disparity in what is known about us .
Knowledge about us exclusively in someone else ’ s hands is power over us .
But knowledge about us in our own hands is power for us .
Anyone who processes our data to create knowledge about us should be legally obliged to give us back that knowledge .
We need to update the idea of “ nothing about us without us ” for the AI-age .
What AI tells us about ourselves is for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profit from abusing .
There should only ever be one hand on the tiller of our soul .
And it should be ours .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markets today .

By Simon McCarthy-Jones, Trinity College Dublin
Individualistic Western societies are built on the idea that no one knows our thoughts, desires or joys better than we do. And so we put ourselves, rather than the government, in charge of our lives. We tend to agree with the philosopher Immanuel Kant’s claim that no one has the right to force their idea of the good life on us.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will change this. It will know us better than we know ourselves. A government armed with AI could claim to know what its people truly want and what will really make them happy. At best it will use this to justify paternalism, at worst, totalitarianism.
Every hell starts with a promise of heaven. AI-led totalitarianism will be no different. Freedom will become obedience to the state. Only the irrational, spiteful or subversive could wish to chose their own path.
To prevent such a dystopia, we must not allow others to know more about ourselves than we do. We cannot allow a self-knowledge gap.
The All-Seeing AI
In 2019, the billionaire investor Peter Thiel claimed that AI was “literally communist”. He pointed out that AI allows a centralising power to monitor citizens and know more about them than they know about themselves. China, Thiel noted, has eagerly embraced AI.
We already know AI’s potential to support totalitarianism by providing an Orwellian system of surveillance and control. But AI also gives totalitarians a philosophical weapon. As long as we knew ourselves better than the government did, liberalism could keep aspiring totalitarians at bay.
But AI has changed the game. Big tech companies collect vast amounts of data on our behaviour. Machine-learning algorithms use this data to calculate not just what we will do, but who we are.
Activist Post Recommended Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Today, AI can predict what films we will like, what news we will want to read, and who we will want to friend on Facebook. It can predict whether couples will stay together and if we will attempt suicide. From our Facebook likes, AI can predict our religious and political views, personality, intelligence, drug use and happiness.
The accuracy of AI’s predictions will only improve. In the not-too-distant future, as the writer Yuval Noah Harari has suggested, AI may tell us who we are before we ourselves know.
These developments have seismic political implications. If governments can know us better than we can, a new justification opens up for intervening in our lives. They will tyrannise us in the name of our own good.
Freedom through tyranny
The philosopher Isaiah Berlin foresaw this in 1958. He identified two types of freedom. One type, he warned, would lead to tyranny.
Negative freedom is “freedom from”. It is freedom from the interference of other people or government in your affairs. Negative freedom is no one else being able to restrain you, as long as you aren’t violating anyone else’s rights.
In contrast, positive freedom is “freedom to”. It is the freedom to be master of yourself, freedom to fulfil your true desires, freedom to live a rational life. Who wouldn’t want this?
But what if someone else says you aren’t acting in your “true interest”, although they know how you could. If you won’t listen, they may force you to be free – coercing you for your “own good”. This is one of the most dangerous ideas ever conceived. It killed tens of millions of people in Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mao’s China.
The Russian Communist leader, Lenin, is reported to have said that the capitalists would sell him the rope he would hang them with. Peter Thiel has argued that, in AI, capitalist tech firms of Silicon Valley have sold communism a tool that threatens to undermine democratic capitalist society. AI is Lenin’s rope.
Fighting for ourselves
We can only prevent such a dystopia if no one is allowed to know us better than we know ourselves. We must never sentimentalise anyone who seeks such power over us as well-intentioned. Historically, this has only ever ended in calamity.
One way to prevent a self-knowledge gap is to raise our privacy shields. Thiel, who labelled AI as communistic, has argued that “crypto is libertarian”. Cryptocurrencies can be “privacy-enabling”. Privacy reduces the ability of others to know us and then use this knowledge to manipulate us for their own profit.
Yet knowing ourselves better through AI offers powerful benefits. We may be able to use it to better understand what will make us happy, healthy and wealthy. It may help guide our career choices. More generally, AI promises to create the economic growth that keeps us from each other’s throats.
The problem is not AI improving our self-knowledge. The problem is a power disparity in what is known about us. Knowledge about us exclusively in someone else’s hands is power over us. But knowledge about us in our own hands is power for us.
Anyone who processes our data to create knowledge about us should be legally obliged to give us back that knowledge. We need to update the idea of “nothing about us without us” for the AI-age.
What AI tells us about ourselves is for us to consider using, not for others to profit from abusing. There should only ever be one hand on the tiller of our soul. And it should be ours.
Simon McCarthy-Jones, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Trinity College Dublin
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Image: Shutterstock/The Conversation
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activistpost--2020-08-12--The Danger of Labeling Your Political Enemies “Domestic Terrorists”

Derrick Broze breaks down the danger in labeling activists and political opponents domestic terrorists .
The Conscious Resistance Network is @ @ @ @ @ on empowering individuals through education , philosophy , health , and community organizing .
We @ @ @ @ @ where corporate and state power does not rule over the lives of free human beings @ @ @ @ @ for truth , peace , and freedom news .
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Get a free issue of Counter Markets @ @

By The Conscious Resistance
Derrick Broze breaks down the danger in labeling activists and political opponents domestic terrorists.
The Conscious Resistance Network is an independent media organization focused on empowering individuals through education, philosophy, health, and community organizing. We work to create a world where corporate and state power does not rule over the lives of free human beings.
Image: Anthony Freda Art
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Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
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