Feds admit storing checkpoint body scan images Declan McCullagh CNet Aug 4, 2010 For the last few years, federal agencies have defended body scanning by insisting that all images will be discarded as soon as they’re viewed. The Transportation Security Administration claimed last summer, for instance, that “scanned images cannot be stored or recorded.” Now it turns out that some police agencies are storing the controversial images after all. The US Marshals Service admitted this week that it had surreptitiously saved tens of thousands of images recorded with a millimeter wave system at the security checkpoint of a single Florida courthouse. This follows an earlier disclosure (PDF) by the TSA that it requires all airport body scanners it purchases to be able to store and transmit images for “testing, training, and evaluation purposes.” The agency says, however, that those capabilities are not normally activated when the devices are installed at airports. Body scanners penetrate clothing to provide a highly detailed image so accurate that critics have likened it to a virtual strip search. Technologies vary, with millimeter wave systems capturing fuzzier images, and backscatter X-ray machines able to show precise anatomical detail. The US government likes the idea because body scanners can detect concealed weapons better than traditional magnetometers.
This video sequence from the GOES-13 satellite using images between July 21st and July 23rd shows Tropical Depression 3 strengthen into tropical storm Bonnie over southern Florida. Tropical storm warnings went into effect for the Northwestern Bahamas, the Florida east coast from Deerfield Beach southward, including all of the Florida Keys, Florida Bay and along the Florida west coast northward to Englewood. Credit: NASA GOES Project This video is public domain and can be downloaded at: goes.gsfc.nasa.gov To read more about Tropical Storm Bonnie, visit: www.nasa.gov Like our videos? Subscribe to NASA’s Goddard Shorts HD podcast: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov Or find NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on facebook: www.facebook.com Or find us on Twitter: twitter.com
First, this is not an “Air Force Base” — it is a PRIVATELY OWNED FACILITY known as “Reynolds Airpark” a private Airport and “manufacturing facility”. A Mr. Ted McGowan is the manager — and their phone number is: 904-284-3505. Second, these are not “UN Vehicles”. These white vans belong to Pegasus International and Cerberus/DynCorp. “Reynolds Airpark” is listed in the Clay County Fla. plat/tax rolls as being wholly owned by a company named Pegasus International. Ok, I thought, what exactly is “Pegasus International” and what exactly do they do?? Well — among other things, they just happen to be involved in the OIL DRILLING BUSINESS — with ties to Halliburton and BRITISH PETROLEUM!!! What the hell??? See their website at: pegasus-international.com Then, of all things, they just happen to have an office in Salt Lake City, Utah. Here is where the plot thickens. Their SLC office also houses Dick Cheney’s Halliburton, and is next to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) offices. Worse, their UK office “address” is next door to (or possibly even a part of) British Petroleum as well. What is going on?? They also have “offices” in Turkmenistan, Nigeria, and Azerbijan — hotbeds of political intrigue and profiteering for BP. See universalpegasus.com But — it gets worse, if possible. “Pegasus International” owns and operates Pegasus Technologies — which is involved in a neat little NSA/CIA operation titled the “Information Sharing Council” or ISC. Their “unclassified” 2006 …
May 21-27 view of the Loop Current in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. On May 27, the first filament from the BP oil spill is seen approaching the Florida coast. The leading edge is approximately 20 miles west of the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys. Surface currents in the Loop Current travel between 1 and 3 miles per hour, or 25 to 75 miles a day. Imagery: NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Analysis: blog.skytruth.org Video floridaoilspilllaw.com
The city of St. Augustine Florida is the first permanent European settlement in the continental United States. St. Augustine was established in 1565 and has been continually occupied ever since. The area around St.Augustine was first explored by Ponce de Leon and was claimed for the Spanish crown. The Florida peninsula had previous Spanish settlements but due to problems that existed for the earlier settlers these settlements had failed. The first French settlement of Florida was attempted by Jean Ribault and Gaspar de Coligny. The early French explorers took a group of Huguenots (French Protestants) of about 150 people and in February of 1562 and eventually establish small settlements. The first was established on the St. Johns River, called Port Royale Sound and the second on Paris Island, now, South Carolina. The Spanish felt that French settlement in a Spanish area of influence was unacceptable and decided to take action. A Spanish force from Cuba was put together under the command of Hernando de Rojas and ordered to attack the French. De Rojas destroyed and took captive the settlers and their leader. The French refortified the area and brought in new settlers and soldiers. When these new settlers began to attack back at the Spanish settlements and shipping, the Spanish crown decided to wipe them out. On August 28, 1565 The Spanish force under Pedro Aviles attacked the settlement using seaborne bombardment followed up by a sudden attack. The French were overwhelmed and beaten. The fortification was destroyed and the settlers scattered. Aviles rebuilt the settlement and renamed it St.Augustine names after Agustin of Hippo, the patron saint of Aviles, his name and hometown.
The French organized a force to retake the area but the fleet was mostly destroyed by storm. The Spanish under Aviles launched a surprise attack on the French and killed all the settlers and soldiers. The men, women, and children were slaughtered. Women and that had previously escaped and hid were captured and all were burned at the stake as heretics. The survivors of these atrocities and those of the shattered French fleet were reorganized by Ribualt. Aviles found the remaining few hundred French women and children with the remnants of the fleet. He demanded their surrender. Ribault complied and he and his wards were likewise burned. The catholic king of Spain and the catholic king of France then came to an agreement that there would be no further French colonization on the southern coastal areas of the new world.
The area became the home of the first recorded births of Europeans on the new continent, although there were earlier un-recorded births on the continental United States. St.Augustine would be conquered and reconquered over the years and in each case the innocent were slaughtered in the name of the same Christian God.
In 1821 Florida was ceded to the United States. The area had for hundreds of years been a refuge for ex-slaves and Native Americans and was used as a staging area to attack into America. President Jackson came in with troops and had this stopped. The Confederates captured the union garrison of one soldier and in turn loyal union troops retook the area and it stayed a fort until 1900, over two hundred years. Today the area is a popular tourist attraction. The city architecture of mostly Spanish Colonial buildings is vigorously maintained and encouraged. Here you will also find the Fountain of Youth and the end of the Old Spanish Trail from San Diego to St. Augustine established in 1921.
St. Augustine has many modern highways bridges airport bus and railway services, but none of these infringe on the Old City. Tourist attractions and fine dining abound here and some like the Minorcan cuisine and culture can be found nowhere else and are unique to this area alone. Whether planning a wedding, honeymoon or fun St.Augustine, ghosts and all is fantastic!
When the financial bubble burst, many people’s lives went spinning out of control. Unfamiliar with the fallout they would be facing, homeowners were scrambling for information. Unfortunately, the unscrupulous scammers were just starting to gear up their machines to reel in the catch.
The FBI defines mortgage fraud as “any material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission relied upon by an underwriter or lender to fund, purchase or insure a loan”, and there is a plethora of companies doing just that.
There are several organizations across the country that offer rescue plans for people in financial distress. However, incidents such as changing signed documents after the clients leave the office, or other acts of fraud, are all too common.
Some unethical companies may claim to be working in government-sponsored homeowner programs or agencies. Actual or fictional names of government agencies or other official-sounding terms could also be used as the scam artists do their best to appear legitimate.
There is help available for those who have been unfortunate enough to fall prey to these tactics.
If consumers think they have encountered a mortgage fraud situation, or are even suspicious, one of the first stops they can make is the Florida Attorney General’s Office. A toll-free Consumer Hotline has been set up, and there is a variety of mortgage- and fraud-related information on their website.
Through its Division of Real Estate, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation sets rules and guidelines for real estate professionals and exercises disciplinary authority. A Consumer Complaints Section is available to report any incidents people believe to be unethical or illegal conduct by real estate professionals.
HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, also offers consumers the resources they need to make intelligent decisions when it comes to their mortgages.
Here are some points to watch out for when dealing with rescue recovery plans.
Avoid up-front fees:
One prominent scam in play is the requirement for up-front fees by mortgage rescue firms. Consumers facing foreclosure are coerced into paying fees for loan modification or payment rescheduling assistance. All too often, these companies are not legitimate and do nothing to prevent a foreclosure from proceeding. In the end, the homeowner loses the fee, receives no assistance, and forfeits their home.
Because so many have been victimized by this fraud scheme, governments at all levels have put the brakes on these exorbitant fees. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) recently put out a consumer warning to avoid any company that asks for a large fee in advance, noting it is definitely a red flag to consider. These fees are prohibited in 20 states, with more to come.
While there are a large number of nonprofit agencies that do offer homeowner assistance programs under government sponsorship (usually through HUD), they charge little or no fee for their services.
Leaseback/rent-to-buy scams:
In order to get the consumer to sign on for this scheme, the scam artist offers a deal to have the owner turn over the deed to their property in exchange for a rent-to-own agreement. Supposedly, this will allow the owner to stay where they are and at some point in the future, reclaim their home. Unfortunately, once the deal is signed, the owner may find there are a number of hidden fees and penalties, making it easy for the scam artist to void the deal and evict the owner.
Debt-elimination schemes
In this scenario, the scam artist often claims to be able to eliminate the homeowner’s debt by way of secret laws or other financial trickery known only to his company. When the homeowner buys into this plan, it usually involves a fee for advice, and the owner is convinced to halt their mortgage payments to participate in the false program. This puts the homeowners in a dire position as they end up in a far greater debt situation that is difficult to resolve.
About Author Visit WaterfrontPropertiesAdmiralsCove.com for everything to do with Admirals Cove Jupiter. You’ll find information about a range of issues and properties in this beautiful area, including Homes For Sale in the Admirals Cove Golf Village.
Looking for a fun and inexpensive experience? Why not try camping. Florida is a wonderful location for a camping trip. Choose from visiting the sea shore, the panhandle area or even the interior of the state. There is something for everyone in Florida. From spending the day on the beach in Panama City to taking in the Cuban culture and atmosphere in the Miami area, parents will be pleased with the Florida family vacation possibilities.
Those wanting to go camping in North Florida will be excited to see that spectacular adventures await them in Milton. Milton is the county seat of Santa Rosa County, Florida. It is located in the western portion of the Panhandle area and is one of the oldest cities in Florida. It was officially incorporated in 1844.
In Milton visitors will find Adventures Unlimited, a sportsman’s paradise. Located on 88 wooded acres where Wolfe Creek and Coldwater Creek meet, Adventures Unlimited has an adventure waiting for everyone. From camping to water sports to a ropes course any nature lover will love visiting Adventures Unlimited.
Located only short drive from favorite Florida locations like Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City, Adventures Unlimited is centrally located; making this one wonderful, fun-filled stopped on any camping in North Florida trip.
While staying in Milton, hop over and check out the Blackwater River State Park. This state park is well known for its pristine river and is a hot spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking and more. Blackwater River State Park is located 15 miles northeast of Milton, off U.S. 90 and is open 8 a.m. to sundown every day.
Why not make a stop at the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach a must see on your Florida family vacation? Learn more about sea creatures while taking in one of the many shows done daily at the Gulfarium. Come see the playful sea lions flip, spin, and bark. Watch as the bottlenose dolphins show off their speed and perform high jumps.
How about checking out the zoo in Gulf Breeze? Get a closer look at over 900 animals at The Zoo of Northwest Florida. See rarities like a pygmy hippo and African wild dogs. Cost is $10.95 per adult and $7.95 per child.
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to plan your Florida family vacation today!
About Author For more information about camping Florida, camping grounds in Florida, camping in Florida, camping site in Florida, Florida camping, Florida camping parks, Florida camping site, north Florida camping visit http://www.adventuresunlimited.com.
Each new day of the financial crisis brings more shocking news. This week was no exception as executives from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler flew to Washington on their corporate jets to beg for their share of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program.
In a shameless display of arrogance and entitlement, leaders of what used to be “best in class” companies begged for billions of dollars with their tin cups outstretched in front of the US Congress. Before the Big Three ever arrived in Washington, billions had already been committed to AIG and some of the largest financial institutions in the country.
During this financial meltdown we’re seeing something we never expected to see in our lives – broken promises from major corporations and government entities on a scale never considered possible. We’ve reached a point where even large companies and large states like Florida can’t meet their obligations using the bond markets.
If you are a Florida home insurance consumer, your biggest asset is now at risk during the financial crisis – your Florida home.
Can you name a more sacred promise than the one a home insurance company makes to you when it takes your money and agrees to insure your home?
When you buy homeowners insurance in Florida the insurance company is promising you fast and fair payment of your claim. Florida insurance companies buy reinsurance to help them make good on this promise to you. Reinsurance is backup coverage that insurance companies buy to help protect themselves from big losses above certain levels.
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund was formed to help stablize the Florida home insurance market after 1992 when Hurricane Andrew caused billions in damage to Florida. By offering reinsurance at affordable rates, the fund helped to make homeowners insurance available and affordable for many years.
That all changed after the Florida hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 when Florida home insurance became overpriced and hard to find again.
The Florida legislature responded to the Florida home insurance crisis by voting in 2007 to expand the reinsurance sold by the Cat Fund by $12 billion – raising its total risk to a total of $28 billion. Florida home insurance companies were required to purchase this additional reinsurance from the state and to pass along the savings realized on reinsurance to home owners.
As a Florida homeowner, you didn’t get the rate reductions that this law was supposed to provide. You didn’t get the 24% average rate reductions that were predicted when the legislation passed. And to make things worse, the Florida Cat Fund took on an additional $12 billion in risk.
Now the Florida Catastrophe Fund has told us that the frozen bond markets won’t be an acceptable source to raise the cash it needs to meet its commitments to the insurance companies after a major Florida hurricane. It recently estimated that it could pay out $13 billion over the next twelve months – That’s $15 billion less than the $28 billion it is on the hook to pay!
Where does this leave you as a Florida home insurance consumer? You didn’t get the rate relief you expected and your state took on financial obligations that it has no hope of paying.
You are at risk if Florida experiences a major hurricane in the next year. Once the losses of your Florida home insurance company exceed certain levels, your company will ask the Florida Cat Fund to reimburse them in order to pay your claim. Since the Florida Cat Fund is short on cash, you might have a long delay in getting your claim paid.
The promise to pay your Florida home insurance claim has never been more at risk than it is today.
Now that you know that the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund will not meet its obligations, let’s examine the National Catastrophe Fund idea that Florida has been bring up in Washington for years. This National Cat fund would offer an additional layer of loss protection above and beyond the obligations of the Florida Cat Fund.
The theory is that a National Catastrophe Fund would be funded in part by insurance premiums paid by policyholders in states that are part of the fund. A National Cat Fund would be a separate fund that would earn interest and grow during the years when there aren’t any claims.
Supporters claim that no taxpayer money would be needed to sustain a National Cat Fund. History tells us there would be storms so large that federal tax dollars would have to be used to cover major losses.
And everyone knows that the federal government can’t keep its funds separate. Just ask someone in Washington to show you the billions that are supposed to be in the Social Security Trust Fund. You won’t be shown any cash – just a drawer full of T-Bills and IOU’s.
Now that the Big Three Auto makers and other shameless Fortune 500 companies have beaten Florida to the punch in Washington, it is very unlikely that a National Hurricane Catastrophe Fund will pass anytime soon. Even President Elect Obama will shy away from any additional federal obligations as he faces all of the red ink in Washington today. So don’t look to the federal government to make good on the promise that was made to pay your Florida home insurance claim.
Finally, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has consistently reported that it doesn’t have anywhere near the money it needs to pay out the almost half a trillion dollars in hurricane exposure it after a major Florida hurricane.
A large hurricane would mean that Citizens can’t pay even its primary obligations – those that it must pay even before losses reach levels where Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund reinsurance kicks in. And as a policyholder with Citizens, you are subject to paying higher special assessments after a major Florida hurricane than policyholders who have private homeowners insurance – special charges tacked on to your annual insurance bill.
In this new brave world where even governments can’t keep their promises here are some steps you should take as a Florida home insurance consumer right now:
Get a Florida wind inspection done and harden your home as much as possible.
Avoid Citizens Insurance Florida if you can.
Find a home insurance company that is strong financially and one that has spread its risk across both Florida and other states. Fewer policyholders will mean faster payment of your claim.
Call in your insurance claim on the same day the Florida hurricane damages your home. This will make it more likely that you will get paid before your insurance company looks to the Florida Cat fund for reimbursement.
Last but not least. The fact that the Florida Cat Fund is short on money has not been lost on Florida home insurance companies. They are being charged for reinsurance by an entity that has publicly stated that it can’t meet its obligations. That means insurance companies are not getting what they paid for.
You should expect Florida home insurance companies to try to buy more of their reinsurance in the private market and not from the State of Florida in 2009. And they will look to pass that cost through to you in the form of higher insurance rates. If they don’t get the rate increases they need, your Florida home insurance policy might be cancelled.
As the Florida home insurance crisis continues, it has never been more important for you to stay on top of the Florida home insurance market for private insurance. You never know when you might have to find a new Florida home insurance carrier.
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