PRIVACY AND YOUR HEALTH

There are all kinds of crazies in the world. Here’s the latest.

This is about two guys, one an industrial mechanic who worked for General Electric Co., who is also allegedly a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and the other, an electronics company employee. They “designed a deadly, mobile radiation device that they tried to sell to Jewish groups and then to a southern branch of the Ku Klux Klan, according to a federal complaint unsealed Wednesday, [June 19, 2013,]  in Albany, NY.”

The device was intended to be a truck-mounted radiation particle weapon that could be remotely controlled and capable of silently aiming a lethal beam of radioactivity at its human targets. The concept was that victims would eventually die from radiation sickness.”

The idea is nuts but it brings up two good points.

1. Radiation is truly dangerous. It is cumulative which means it collects and build ups in the body and stays there forever. Recent studies show that it effects and can damage the brain and other body parts. Think of that when you consent to having your baby x-rayed. I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m am saying be sure it is used judiciously. When the doctor says, “let’s get a CT just to be sure,” be wary. The next time your doctor suggests a diagnostic or dental x-ray for you, think about it.

2. The plan to make a deadly radiation device was discovered by FBI recorded telephone calls. That brings up the right to privacy issue. There has been a lot of hoop-la about it lately but what if that right threatens the lives of others?

Webster defines privacy as “freedom from unauthorized intrusion.” Privacy is not mentioned in the United States Constitution but when the founders wrote the Bill of Rights they did express some privacy concerns. Many of these are addressed in various constitutional amendments.

For example, the 5th Amendment talks about the privilege against self-incrimination. It provides protection for the privacy of personal information and states that we mustn’t sue someone who’s privacy has been unlawfully intruded upon.

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian said the investigation of the deadly, mobile radiation device “demonstrates how we must remain vigilant to detect and stop potential terrorists, who so often harbor hatred toward people they deem undesirable.”

Army General Keith B. Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency testified Tuesday before the House Intelligence Committee. He said, “surveillance programs helped prevent more than 50 potential terror attacks (ten of which were domestic – the rest worldwide,) including plots to target the New York Stock Exchange and the city’s subway.”

Privacy has pretty much gone by the wayside these days. If you don’t believe it, take a look at Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc. And by the way, we have alleged traitors like Edward Snowdon who feel free to leak vital secrets and put the lives of 300,000,000 Americans at stake. Now that’s really scary.