THE Homeland Security Thread (merged)

by **CarlinsDarlin** » Mon 31 Jan 2005, 23:17:18

well. It's not like I didn't know some of this already - but putting it all together as the writer does - suffice it to say, now I know why I've had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach for some time. Truly scary times we live in, folks.

K

by **MicroHydro** » Thu 12 Jan 2006, 22:00:52

Miracle on 34th Street, this is not.
My old business in US used a "Rewards" credit card for business purchases. Before I left the US, I asked for the rewards. The card company was so slow, I was in Aotearoa/New Zealand before the Macy's gift cards arrived. There is no Macy's here in Waikato, so the cards were useless.

However, I knew that my 22 year old former receptionist in US could certainly use US$175 in Macy's store credit. So I sent the gift cards in a NZ Post envelope with the required customs declaration attached.
Weeks later, Nicole got the Xmas card, but the envelope had been opened by Homeland Security in US and the $175 gift cards stolen. Is there any recourse for this petty theft? Of couse not! The US is a banana republic.

by **MattSavinar** » Thu 12 Jan 2006, 22:52:05

They probably thought you or your secretary were drug-smuggling Al-Qaeda sympathasers (sp?) who were laundering money for terrorists:
"Prepaid Gift Cards: Terrorist Tool" Prepaid
There are a lot of sheep down in NZ, correct? You should be aware of this: link
"instances of terrorists actually using disease agents against livestock, a realistic potential for such a contingency exists. . ."
Best,
Matt

by **MicroHydro** » Thu 12 Jan 2006, 23:19:21

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MattSavinar', 'T')hey probably thought you or your secretary were drug-smuggling Al-Qaeda sympathasers (sp?) who were laundering money for terrorists:
"Prepaid Gift Cards: Terrorist Tool" Prepaid

by **MattSavinar** » Thu 12 Jan 2006, 23:46:33

Yep, you're right: Jeweler
Best,
Matt

by **coyote** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 00:42:06

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MicroHydro', 'I') also understand that the US has adopted a definition of what constitutes numismatic gold coins versus bullion gold coins. (2X bullion value is numismatic)...

by **seldom_seen** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 01:57:47

how exactly do you know "homeland security" stole your cards? did they stamp it "opened by homeland security" or something?

not trying to defend "homeland security" whatever that is, but I'd imagine a lot of hands touched your mail between NZ and the mailbox in the US.

by **blukatzen** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 03:27:23

[quote="seldom_seen"]how exactly do you know "homeland security" stole your cards? did they stamp it "opened by homeland security" or something?

MSNBC Homeland Security Opening Private Mail

Story about Homeland Security Opening private mail.

Last month Goodman, an 81-year-old retired University of Kansas history professor, received a letter from his friend in the Philippines that had been opened and resealed with a strip of dark green tape bearing the words “by Border Protection” and carrying the official Homeland Security seal.

by **gnm** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 10:38:01

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MicroHydro', 'A') fine excuse for postal larceny. Macy's doesn't sell many terrorist supplies. I do not think that these were universal cards.

by **smallpoxgirl** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 11:09:33

I would
A: Talk to the Post Office about it. They have postal inspectors and such that are supposed to investigate mail thefts. May be less helpfull though being international.
B: Talk to Macys. If you report the card stolen and still have the reciept for it, they might be able to replace it.

by **FoxV** » Fri 13 Jan 2006, 14:24:13

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MattSavinar', 'h')ttp://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/news/2002/022002story.html

by **NevadaGhosts** » Sat 28 Jan 2006, 09:24:53

Bank of America & Compass Bank managers were told Homeland Security will confiscate safe deposit boxes
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hile all the other points I mentioned in a previous post are fairly well documented and discussed elsewhere on the Internet, the bank information I reported is not. This information is from my own experience and research. I discovered the disturbing news quite by accident - and by virtue of its importance, I decided to post my findings here and on a few other forums.
What did I hear?
A family member from Irvine, CA (who’s a branch manager at Bank of America) told us two weeks ago that her bank held a "workshop" where the last two days were dedicated to discussing their bank’s new security measures. During these last two days, the workshop included members from the Homeland Security Office who instructed them on how to field calls from customers and what they are to tell them in the event of a national disaster. She said they were told how only agents from Homeland Security (during such an event) would be in charge of opening safe deposit boxes and determining what items would be given to bank customers.

At this point they were told that no weapons, cash, gold, or silver will be allowed to leave the bank - only various paperwork will be given to its owners. After discussing the matter with them at length, she and the other employees were then told not to discuss the subject with anyone.
The family member has since given her notice to quit the bank.

I found the news alarming and decided to find out more myself. On a trip to my bank here in Houston, I remarked to a young bank employee (who’s new there), "well I guess you’ve been told all that stuff by the manager and the Homeland Security about what to tell your customers" - and to my amazement, the young woman came right out and said yes she’d been through all that, then whispered to me across the counter, "but we’re not supposed to talk about - I could lose my job."

by **KiddieKorral** » Sat 28 Jan 2006, 17:10:34

Definitely in the "interesting if true" category. Or "scary if true", whichever you prefer.

by **beechdriver** » Sat 28 Jan 2006, 17:12:01

Why worry? Guns, ammo, gold & silver should be in a home safe. If things get that bad - no one will show up to open the bank anyway.

by **leal** » Sat 28 Jan 2006, 17:17:48

I am not sure if this story is true or not but maybe you should consider to use something else than a bank safe deposit box? :wink:

by **Specop_007** » Sun 29 Jan 2006, 06:41:08

I've always felt if it isnt stored someplace you and ONLY YOU have access to, it isnt "safe".
This mean cache it in a field or keep it in your house. Keeping it somewhere that is dependent on someone else opening a door to let you in isnt SAFE.
24 hour access storage rental units would be acceptable as well as long as YOU are the ONLY one with access to the unit (put your own lock on the door).

by **smallpoxgirl** » Sun 29 Jan 2006, 12:21:00

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I')'ve always felt if it isnt stored someplace you and ONLY YOU have access to, it isnt "safe".

by **mattduke** » Tue 07 Mar 2006, 12:44:10

Another cryptogon.com piece.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/blog/200 ... ibili.html

by **watchdogmovement** » Sun 22 Oct 2006, 18:05:37

Department of Homeland Security
Suppressed Report
The Department of Homeland Security are sending threating letters to activist who post this report on their website for the report to be removed-Its a public report to Congress: Fuck DHS and Bush too.

http://www.tcuec.com/manpads.html

by **KhanCEO** » Sun 22 Oct 2006, 18:20:48

Wtf I am looking at?