There is an article from the Washington Times’ website that was linked from Slashdot today, and if it ever comes back online I’ll have more to report. It is believe from the article description from slashdot that the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) had suggested it be mandatory that every person who flies within the United States wear a shock bracelet. The benefits, they describe, are two-fold. One: you, as a threat, can be subdued remotely. Two: you, as a threat, can be tortured in-flight for information.
“The Washington Times is reporting that the DHS wants to replace your boarding pass with a GPS-enabled shock bracelet. Plans for the device include subduing passengers remotely as well as onboard interrogation. There’s even a promotional video.” Perhaps Paul Ruwaldt (the official named in this story) has been watching “The Coneheads” a bit too much, or not actually flying enough. Expressing interest is not quite the same as ordering mass quantities, but it’s scary enough.
This Document, I understand, is the letter that points to DHS’s interest in persuing a contract with Lamperd Less Lethal to obtain bracelets for “the temporary restraint of large numbers of individuals in open area environments by a small number of agents or Law Enforcement Officers”.
The letter is dated 2006. I wonder at what stage this contact is at currently.
