Slashdot Mirror
Calif. Politican Thinks Blurred Online Maps Would Deter Terrorists
Hugh Pickens writes "California Assemblyman Joel Anderson plans to introduce a bill to force Google Earth and similar services to blur images of so-called 'soft targets' like schools, hospitals, churches and government buildings to protect them from terrorists. 'All I'm trying to do is stop terrorists,' said Anderson. 'I don't want California to be helping map out future targets for terrorists.' Concerns that detailed satellite imagery and photographs available on Web services could help terrorists plan attacks are not new, with reports that terrorists have used such imagery to carry out attacks in Iraq and Israel, and an Indian court is considering a ban on Google Earth following reports that its imagery played a part in the Mumbai terrorist attacks."
"Security expert Bruce Schneier recently wondered what other things legislators might consider banning to prevent terrorism: 'Bank robbers have long used cars and motorcycles as getaway vehicles, and horses before then. I haven't seen it talked about yet, but the Mumbai terrorists used boats as well. They also wore boots. They ate lunch at restaurants, drank bottled water and breathed the air,' wrote Schneier. 'Society survives all of this because the good uses of infrastructure far outweigh the bad uses, even though the good uses are — by and large — small and pedestrian and the bad uses are rare and spectacular.'"
Ban bottled water, that stuff's a killer!
It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
If we just blurred all maps, the terrorists couldn't even find their targets!
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
Terr'st1: "Are you ready to hit the school and strike a blow against the evil US?"
Terr'st2: "Yes! We must stand up against the Great Satan!"
Terr'st1: "Good! Grab the map."
Terr'st2: "It's... it's blurred! This cannot be!"
Terr'st1: "Curses! We are foiled."
Terr'st2: "You outsmarted us this time Great Satan! But we will be back."
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
Yeah, we know how to pick our politicians here in California. The total IQ of our state legislature is about 3. Dumbest asses ever. All of them. Republicans. Democrats. Whatever. I think Sacramento has something in the water.
Politicians have called for a ban on cars since they are used for bank robberies.
Nobody's suggesting anything that extreme. We just want to blur all the windscreens so as to slow down any getaways. I suppose you'd rather have terrorists?
In fact, a really good terrorist attack would cut down on the demand for water and electricity, and make things much better for the remaining Californians! Are you listening, Al Qaeda? Attacking California could only make the situation there better, not worse!
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
So that California doesn't have to update Google whenever soft targets change, I propose that California paint the roofs of sensitive locations fluorescent orange, then add satellite-visible concentric black circles to clearly indicate to Google that the building is a target.
California could also inform Google of the site's importance, by painting a large black number representing a score from 1-10.
Then, just in case the terrorists still find the place, outside the site we should post a large warning sign saying "Terrorism Prohibited at this Site."
Each time I see a steeple with a lightning rod, I wonder about substantial lack of faith on the part of the congregation.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
If they want everything blurred, why did they outlaw dope?
Reminds me of a German politician who suggested an innovative solution against kids browsing porn: Porn sites must be offline until 10 pm!
It's the fact they always seem to say everything they think.
Ed Gooberman, you fail to grasp Tae-Kwon Leep. Approach me so that you may see.
Boot to the Head
You are lucky Ed Gooberman. Few novices experiece so much of Tae-Kwon Leep so soon.
Terrorist 1: Ok, i've printed out this map of the target, its a middleschool attended by 400 kids, if we crash a plane into it, we might be able to take half of it out and maybe kill 200 of the great satan's young.
Terrorist 2: Excellent, since we've taken over this plane in a post 9/11 environment where the average person who flies in a plane believes that if a terrorist takes over the plane, their lives are forfeit anyway, they had no problem revolting and attempting to kill us.
Terrorist 1: Yeah, that was rough, thanks be that we had our bottles of water to fight them off.
Terrorist 2: Don't forget our nail clippers and cuticle scissors! Anyway, I think our target should be over there, that's elm street. Aim between the soccer field and the baseball diamond.
Terrorist 1: Wait! That looks nothing like the picture! Its not blurred out like in the print out!
Terrorist 2: Drat, foiled again, CURSE YOU JOEL ANDERSON!!!!
Is it sad that I am more likely to recognize you and your posts by your sig than your name or UID?
In A.D. 2101 ....
War was beginning.
Captain: What happen ?
Mechanic: Somebody set up us the bomb.
Operator: We get signal.
Captain: What !
Operator: Main screen turn on.
Captain: It's you !!
Terr'st1: How are you gentlemen !!
Terr'st1: All your **MAPS** are belong to us.
Terr'st1: You are on the way to destruction.
Captain: What you say !!
Terr'st1: You have no chance to survive make your time.
Terr'st1: Ha ha ha ha
My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
Wow, it is just amazing he has another issue to talk on. His site is great, under the heading of My Legislation: "There are no data records to display." The same is true with his Issue Positions. Of course having grown up in San Diego next to this guy's districts he looks and sounds just like the stereotypes for those he represents. I wonder if he owns a trailer.