I don’t realy know how many of you out there realy use Microsoft’s Terraserver and Google’s images for all of your Railfanning get arounds. But this morning I understand that there images are considered a very HIGH Security risk! Google showes places like over in Iraq and that has alot of people worried that Terrorists could use these images for an attack. Now that this has become more of a meda cartoon act. Some people want these sites shut down now.
I guess we will see now. Will we? I just don’t understand if they already knew that there would be a security risk then why would they put them on the internet in the first place. Allan.
So can I dial in to Area 51? I wonder if Google does censor certian areas, via government mandate? Anyone know if they do, or worse yet, record the IP of the person looking at off limit areas???
Hmmm, big brother in reverse and back again.
Just to see about my question I put in Rachel, Nevada, which is close to Area 51 on MS Terra Server, this is what I got:
So if it is sensative I guess they will block it?
Or irrigate it…
I thought about that, but it doesn’t look right. But you could be right.
A check for a few bucks will get you a Geodetic Survey map of just about anywhere in this country.
If you want a detailed chart of any waterway in the country, stop by a local boating store.
How long will it be before those nice tourist maps they put up at attractions and information kiosks (and hand out for free) have to come down because someone might use them for nefarious purposes?
These whiners are people with too much time on their hands. Of course terrorists could use those images. They can also drive on any public highway, take pictures of just about anything, rent rooms overlooking sensitive targets, etc, etc, etc. Get a grip. If they want information, they will get it, or already have it.
The terrorists are winning! The terrorists are winning!
You can go to any federal bldg in the US that has an office of the Geological Survey and get maps that are more detailed than the satelite pix (everything’s labled…you don’t have to interpret it). If they don’t carry in stock what you need(they’re mostly local) they can order what you need. I’ve gotten maps of the Tehachapi and Horseshoe curve areas.
So maybe all this restriction stuff, no pictures, the maps off the internet etc, is all similar to what Mayor Bloomberg said, that the searches and such are more to make us feel safe, not really doing anything secure but just the illusion of. So this whole internet deal is maybe more of the smoke and mirrors the media likes to throw at us to either make us feel better, like reverse physcology or they don’t have a clue about these other sources? I know our local paper couldn’t for some reason dig up facts on a rail to trail issue, but a local group could.
You have no idea…
They can stop and search anyone at any time because it’s in the name of National Security. We should look closely at anyone who questions this activity because they can’t be Patriotic if they question the actions of the Government in the name of National Security. Don’t take pictures of that train with the secretive looking Government markings or any other train for that matter because it’s a question of National Security. Yes, while you were on vacation a group of folks from a Government Agency searched through your house, garage and tool shed, all without the bother of a search warrant or any permission other than the secretive decision of a Federal Judge because enough of your neighbors or local Law Enforcement decided that you pose a potential threat to National Security.
Read the Patriot Act. Think about what it says. If you find yourself thinking that it’s a good idea, especially since they’re doing it to the “other guy” and not you keep thinking. The most memorable version of this most recent definition of National Security was written in German.
Personally, I’m just gonna keep working my 4x4, 12 hour shifts at the extrusions plant, putter around with my railroad models on my days off, keep my yard mowed and hope I don’t draw the attention of the guys in the black suits. After all, you’re only paranoid when you’re looking over your shoulder and there’s actually nobody watching you.
Dave
(dwRavenstar, law-abiding American citizen)[:-^]
Even if you’re paranoid, there are times when everybody really is out to get you.
Hey, aren’t those crop circles? It must be a sign!!! [swg]
Seriously, I doubt that terrorists need terraserver images to formulate their plans. Of course I wouldn’t put it past the “chicken little society” to take such action. The latest scare is for tanker truck bombs in major cities on 9/11. Yeah right.[B)][}:)][:(!][xx(][B)]
Actually it’s a wireless ad…just letting you know you have more bars in more places…
Oh yeah…I forgot…THE SKY IS FALLING…THE SKY IS FALLING
BNSF you’re going to have a coronary before you graduate high school…
I think some of these people who want to do things “In the name of national security” watch too much James Bond. What good is a satellite view when all you have to do is walk down the street? Satellites? Scuba Divers? Please! These terrorists work in a simple, yet effective fashion.
Spot-on Ravenstar
Some of the stuff on terraserver is fairly old. The boogey man might have a hard time utilizing the info.
I am disgusted by this whole National Security mess. All of the security is just to make the masses feel better, most of whom wouldn’t know a terrorist if they fell over them!
The media is to blame for its biased reporting on incident slanted to the right or the left, cause ther ain’t no center anymore in this Country.! The lastest threat about the tanker is “unsubstainated” translation it BS.
Enough, this is making my stomach churn…what’s everybody planning for their railfanning this weekend?
Regards
Dan, I thought of those wireless ads too, but the signal strength doesn’t have enough bars, and is going the wrong way. [swg]
Quoting the dyslexic terrorist, who, as he took steps to calm the crowd that had assembled to watch him reassemble a broken down bus, was heard to say…
“Halla is Dog!!!”
Dave (dwRavenstar)
[%-)][(-D][(-D][%-)]
Then they must be Nextel towers [}:)]