Posted on 09/22/2004 5:29:43 PM PDT by johnnycap
Forgive me for this vanity post but I had an idea that I thought merited discussion. Today, while thinking about the most recent beheadings in Iraq, it occurred to me that perhaps, if we implanted all personnel, military and civilian in Iraq with a tracking device, there might only be one more kidnapping. My hope in posting this is that someone who might be in a position to consider the idea might be lurking here. Thanks for indulging me.
See, now you are thinking. A couple of comments here after reading everyone's discussions. First, some great commentary has been added here. Second, I said in my original comment that it would only be for folks in or going to Iraq. You can make it voluntary. Third, I am not sure the technology exists but I will say that I have a relative who works in the black box budget who says, "You would be blown away if you knew some of the stuff we have." So a small implantable tracking device might be possible. Fourth, it only has to work once.
Digital Angel's chips are being used for livestock tracking operations, including in Canada to track movements which might threaten to spread mad cow disease.
Recently, officials of the Mexican government security apparatus had these implanted as well.
And where are you going to implant it where it can't be cut off...or out?
And where are you going to implant it where it can't be cut off...or out?
"the host said that the smallest tracking device is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Too big to implant."
This is false. The functional and commercialized chips are the size of a grain of rice or wheat and can be readily slipped under the skin .
I am surprised how many comments on this thread are about people's own civil liberties. I understand the concern but really, we are talking about a tactical step to catch a group of terrorists for a short period of time. Also, I understand your concern about thinking aloud and giving away ideas to the enemy but lets follow your thought through. Let's say the terrorists happen to monitor this website. Let's say they see the discussion. Let's say they pause before the next kidnapping they stop and think, "Maybe this is the one with the implanted GPS." and decide to do something different. I guess the discussion would have a positive result on some level from the mere threat or discussion of a threat. Either way, we want the kidnappings to stop. Perhaps talking about it is the cheapest form of deterent.
Motorola has introduced a new miniature Global Positioning System (GPS) chip called the FS Oncore module that is not only full featured, but small enough to fit just about anywhere. At only 200 square millimeters it is designed to enhance virtually any mobile device.
Power consumption is also a respectable 70 mW, and includes the ability to go into a standby mode. With support for autonomous and assisted GPS modes it is not only well suited to cellphones, but could provide positioning information for a PDA or assist with asset tracking. There are many other applications that could greatly benefit from GPS in such a small package, but at the same time this brings up other concerns.
It is handy to have GPS capabilities on every mobile device, but it can also be used to provide information about everywhere we go, kind of an electronic leash. You have to wonder how long it will be before someone decides it is a good idea to implant tiny GPS devices in humans. I don't mean to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but along with all of the great applications a product like this can provide we need to be certain it is used properly.
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