Terrorists Use Google Earth

I remember the first time I ever heard about Google Earth.It was on Christmas Day 2005, and my friend and I were discussing the infamous Area 51 in the New Mexican desert. I said, "wait a sec, if everything is on there, surely thats gonna pose some kind of security risk?"

Two years later, I've been proved right.

According to the The Daily Telegraph website:

"Terrorists attacking British bases in Basra are using aerial footage displayed by the Google Earth internet tool to pinpoint their attacks, say Army intelligence sources.

Documents seized during raids on the homes of insurgents last week uncovered print-outs from photographs taken from Google.

The satellite photographs show in detail the buildings inside the bases and vulnerable areas such as tented accommodation, lavatory blocks and where lightly armoured Land Rovers are parked.

"This is evidence as far as we are concerned for planning terrorist attacks," aid an intelligence officer with the Royal Green Jackets battle group. "Who would otherwise have Google Earth imagery of one of our bases? "

Anyone with the internet can sign up to Google Earth and by simply typing in the name of a location they can receive very detailed imagery down to identifying types of vehicles.

The company is one of several internet outlets that buy aerial imagery, usually taken by aircraft but sometimes by satellite, from governments or mapping companies.

It is unclear how old the maps are but it is believed the Basra images were made within the past two years.

A Google spokesman said the information could be used for "good and bad" and was available to the public in many forms. "Of course we are always ready to listen to governments' requests," he said.

"We have opened channels with the military in Iraq but we are not prepared to discuss what we have discussed with them. But we do listen and we are sensitive to requests."

There have also been reports that the images are being sold to rogue militias in the market place in Basra.

The British security services are concerned that terrorists will be able to examine in detail sensitive infrastructure such as electricity stations, military basis, and their own headquarters in London."

You can read the full article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/13/wgoogle13.xml

Silly String Saves Lives?

Apparently, US soldiers in Iraq have been sent a shipment of the popular kids toy Silly String...They use it when they are about to enter buildings to detect booby traps, by spraying it across the room.If it falls to the floor, then the room is safe, but if it hangs in mid-air, its caught on a trip-wire. How bizarre...

George Bush Speech-writer

Have you ever listened to a George Bush speech, laughed at his inane comments, and thought to yourself "I could do better than that!"? Well, now is your chance, with The George Bush Speech Writer!

http://www.actofme.co.uk/bush_speech/bushspeechwriter.html

At first it might seem like there aren't many options availabe, but if you click on the blue tabs to the right of the word bank, there are a lot more quotes for you to use. There's also a nifty applause option to mimic the voice of the mindless masses that agree with him.


And just so you know what you're up against, here are some oratorial gems from the man himself:

"The trouble with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur"
Riiiiiiight, George.

"We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."
Not a continent.Hell no, Africa has never been a continent, has it, George?

"We both use Colgate toothpaste."
He said that after a reporter asked what he had in common with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Camp David, Md., Feb. 23, 2001

"It is white."
And he said that after being asked by a child in Britain what the White House was like, July 19, 2001

Remind me why he's in charge of the most powerful nation on earth, again?