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[Kablooie]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Kablooie) on Fri Aug 2, 2013, 09:10 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[FirstLight]

1. jesus christ

here it comes.... I am sure there will be those to debunk this story or tell us we're really just FINE and there's nothing to see here.


and now I am solidly

I don't hate my government, I just don't trust them anymore....

[struggle4progress]

85. NY Man Questioned For Computer Search History

NEW YORK (AP) — A former employee of a New York computer company was questioned after his workplace computer search history revealed inquiries for "pressure cooker bombs" and "backpacks," but no criminality was determined, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement Thursday ...

The man was questioned after detectives from the department's intelligence unit received a tip from a Long Island-based computer company claiming the recently released employee's computer had suspicious searches, the police said. After interviewing company representatives, they questioned the man at his home ...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=208056732

[VWolf]

2. "the preparation of quinoa"

WTF????

[JDPriestly]

49. A lot of people haven't heard of it. It is only grown in special climate areas and substitutes

for wheat products for many people. (Not the only substitute for wheat.)

Quinoa (/ˈkiːnwɑː/ or /kɨˈnoʊ.ə/, Spanish: quinua, from Quechua: kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a member of the true grass family. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beetroots, spinach and tumbleweeds.

(Here is why people may not have heard of it.)

Quinoa is highly variable due to a high complexity of different subspecies, varieties and landraces (plants or animals adapted to the environment in which they originated). However, in general it is undemanding and altitude-hardy. It is grown from coastal regions (Chile) to over 4,000 m (13,120 ft) in the Andes near the equator. However, most of the cultivars are grown between 2,500 m and 4,000 m. Depending on the variety, Quinoa's optimal growing conditions are in cool climates with temperatures that range from 25°F/?3°C during the night, to near 95°F/35°C during the day. Some cultivars can also withstand lower temperatures without damage. Light frosts normally do not affect the plants at any stage of development, except during flowering. Mid-summer frosts often occurring in the Andes during flowering lead to sterilization of the pollen. Rainfall conditions are highly variable between the different cultivars, ranging from 300 to 1,000 mm during growing season. Optimal for Quinoa growth is well-distributed rainfall during early growth and development and dry conditions during seed maturation and harvesting.,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa

I like it but don't have it often. They don't sell it in my local grocery.

[VWolf]

88. Oh, I've heard of it. I've tasted it on occasion.

Just wondering what it has to do with a perceived terrorist threat.

[Ash_F]

73. Don't google it. They'll come for you. /nt

[ForgoTheConsequence]

3. Well I feel safer.

At this point I think the surveillance state is irreversible.

[Dustlawyer]

24. I agree, the power of this information is way too tempting! The idiots who keep repeating the

NSA's line that it is just meta data that they don't look at w/o a FISA (kangaroo) court order are in denial. That would be the equivalent of BP saying that, "We don't need all of these lawsuits over the oil spill, we will fairly pay all victims right away!"
The shadow government (1%'ers and corporations) who control most of the politicians in Washington, the courts, and the media want access to this info for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is so they will not be surprised again like they were with OWS.

[Uncle Joe]

25. A surveillance state is only the beginning, as the people become increasingly

disenfranchised and/or alienated from the government the power dynamic will increasingly pressure the government toward a full blown police state.

[panzerfaust]

86. Ohh, me too. I feel so safe knowing that my government is looking out for me.

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” ― President James Madison

[BobbyBoring]

91. Yep!

One things for sure. They do monitor our web browsing~

[Spitfire of ATJ]

4. Meanwhile, someone could be looking up assault rifles all day and that's fine.

[enough]

7. +1! (nt)

[bossy22]

28. both are fine

[MissDeeds]

43. Absolutely

Good catch. This country is so damned FUBAR - The thought of pressure cookers and the feds poop themselves. Guns, that kill thousands each year, are met with a yawn. What a laughing stock we've become.

[matthews]

5. I think that it's more like "US news services think that this is worth hiding."

The corporations that own the newspapers also make money from war and from this information dragnet. Why would they bite the hand that feeds them? Even though it would be the right thing to do. But right doesn't pay as well.

[Peacetrain]

6. okay that is scary.. I went to snopes

and put in your headline..because it almost sounds like something out of the onion or one of those urban legends.. as a vegetarian.. I am constantly looking up how to prepare new foods and spices.. I have not hit the link you put in.. but just reading the part of the story you have in the op.. that is just chilling

[tumtum]

8. It's a brave new world out there where privacy is done for

and the all knowing, all seeing govt and their police stooges are watching everything we do.
Wouldn't surprise me if her and her husband end up on the terrorist watch list or the No Fly list, which they won't even know until they try to board an airplane.

Be thankful that at least the cops didn't throw her and hubby on the ground or shoot them on some pretext that they made a "threatening move" or they had "something in their hands".

[DainBramaged]

9. I guess if I started to search for spotted dick and dynamite I'd get a visit?

[Wilms]

10. Perhaps they thought she was making donuts.

Quit being so paranoid.

[thesquanderer]

11. I clicked REC on this. Do I get an NSA demerit for that? (n/t)

[MattSh]

12. And guess who posts it here?

That's right. Kablooie. I think you're the next one to get a visit.

[Kablooie]

14. Guess I should change my nick to MildManneredMilkToast.

[cosmicone]

13. Doesn't the NRA support "responsible pressure cooker owners?" n/t

[csziggy]

16. You'd think the National Restaurant Association would do that!

I bet they don't even do background checks at their show, either: http://show.restaurant.org/Home

[snagglepuss]

46. Too too funny.

[snagglepuss]

45. OMG that is hysterical.

Thanks I needed that laugh

[Robb]

15. I'm skeptical this happened as described.

Sets off too many bells, frankly. But I've been wrong before.

[Orrex]

20. I'm of the same view

Doesn't quite pass the smell test, but all the same I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

[Diego_Native 2012]

31. It looks as if the original story came from Salon...

...authored by Natasha Lennerd, assistant news editor.

If it is accurate, it completely puts the lie to the NSA's assertions that this isn't happening. And would anyone believe her at all if Edward Snowden hadn't let the cat out of the bag?

[Brigid]

44. If this story is not true,

And NSA spooks are groaning as they watch it go viral, they should keep in mind that they really have only themselves to blame.

[GliderGuider]

17. I was talking about exactly this scenario with a co-worker less than two hours ago.

Right down to the particular item being researched.
This universe can be a mildly unsettling place to live sometimes.

[Hydra]

58. haha

The universe heard you and *voila!* there it was!

A maybe you're just psychic? Or Psycho? :p

[Brigid]

18. Maybe I'll start researching pressure cookers online.

I need a little excitement in my life.

[Vanje]

19. Its canning season.

Jeeeez!

[BillE]

21. I guess this answers the question

of that they are only collecting meta data of American citizens.

[Comrade Grumpy]

22. silly spooks, still fighting the last battle. Try searches for "propane canister" and "catapault"

[yourout]

23. Not sure what they would make of Porn and pressure cookers?

That is what they would now get from tracking me.

[cantbeserious]

26. The NSA Strikes Again

eom

[Xipe Totec]

27. I just googled for Atomic Fireballs

I'm in real trouble now.

[The Stranger]

29. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

[Kablooie]

53. That doesn't seem so bad.

[Blasphemer]

30. I shall be expecting a visit any day now

I was considering buying one as I wanted to make some homemade baked beans.

[Crunchy Frog]

32. Well, you know. If you're not doing anything wrong, then you don't have anything to hide,

and you don't have anything to worry about. They should be happy that our security services are operating so effeciently.

[Locrian]

33. wonder

I wonder what would have happened if they didn't let them in? Which of course would be perfectly with their rights unless they had a warrant.

Not sure which would be worse though: let them in and they find you have a few downloaded movies etc (which of course is a huge offen$$e - if they want it to be) or they throw you to the ground or shoot you for 'interfering' as you're then obviously a terrorist with something to hide.

[TriplD]

51. Given the case of the Chechen guy in Florida

and the BS surrounding that, it sounds like they have a system in place to cover it up if they did shoot him.

[Locrian]

55. exactly

It' now intimidation by fear: spy on you, taser/shoot you if you don't agree to a search, and cover it up / get off if they DO shoot you.

Accidentally of course

[panzerfaust]

87. No. Its OK. The FBI is going to investigation all of the circumstances.

[DinahMoeHum]

34. Paging "America's Test Kitchen"/"Cook's Country"!

But I still call bullshit on the credibility of this story.

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment-reviews/index.php

[ConcernedCanuk]

35. She followed with comments on Twitter,

.
.
.

so I doubt it is a scam.

http://whitenoise.gizmodo.com/yes-the-fbi-is-tracking-americans-google-searches-981986667

Michele Catalano, a writer for Forbes, Boing Boing, and other publications, received a friendly visit from the FBI at her home today, which according to her Twitter profile is in Long Island, NY.

/snip/

Michele Catalano @inthefade

Pro tip: don't do a search for pressure cookers right after your spouse does a search for backpacks if you don't want the FBI at your door.
10:11 AM - 31 Jul 2013

MORE at link.

(Houston, we have a problem . . . )

CC

[dbackjon]

36. I have to admit seeing the title and your user name made me laugh

The article, not so much

[lpbk2713]

37. Well, I guess from now on ...

whenever I make any reference to that device on the www
I'll have to refer to it as a p******e c****r.

[Hubert Flottz]

38. Oh SHIT!

My wife has been looking for a Foley Stainless Steel Food Mill.

[Ilsa]

39. After 9/11 after the anthrax letters, I was having

mail delivery problems at my home. I was finding my mail scattered on the street several days in a row, including misdelivered at someone's house.

I called the post office to complain and they sent the police out. I made it clear to the PO (police officer) that his time was being wasted by the other PO (post office) because I wasn't worried about anthrax, I just wanted my mail delivered.

[DeSwiss]

40. Had enough yet?!?!

- K&R

[99th_Monkey]

41. It was the back-pack that game them away.

See! That meta-data IS good for something.

[99th_Monkey]

42. Let's see now? Was it "Buttle" or "Tuttle"?

[heaven05]

47. This

story confirms the validity of feds snooping citizens habits on line. Doesn't it? Am I misreading something here?

[reusrename]

48. If she wasn't doin' anything wrong they wouldn't have been watching her.

[L0oniX]

50. Well that makes the 100's of billions of dollars for the NSA and DHS all worth it.

The stink is getting over whelming!

[Alameda]

52. I recently bought a pressure cooker at a estate sale

and spent time looking it up to get instructions on how to use it. I also looked up and downloaded the instruction book for my pressure cooker. I didn't realize one should not cook barley in it until reading the booklet. BTW the one I found at the estate sale was a revere ware stainless steel one. It's really fabulous. I also have been looking up pressure canners. Now am I suspect?

I have been cooking with them for years, as it's one of the best ways to cook many items, like chicken bones, beans, and other things. It's great for getting everything out of things. Wonderful for making vegetable broth or any other type of thing. I don't believe in wasting things, particularly food. Presssure cooker let you get the most out of what you put in it.....if you know how to use them, that is.

I spend a lot of time researching where to get gaskets for mine, as it's an older European model. So now what?

I hate this paranoia we are living with now. The most innocent thing, your shampoo, toothpaste and on and on.

This is worse than the HUAC Red Scare now. I want my country back.

[Fearless]

56. Meta data doesn't do anything!!!111!

[DeadLetterOffice]

57. the Googling happened at work and was reported by the employer...

Looks like this one at least is not what it first seemed.

Suffolk County Criminal Intelligence Detectives received a tip from a Bay Shore based computer company regarding suspicious computer searches conducted by a recently released employee. The former employee’s computer searches took place on this employee’s workplace computer. On that computer, the employee searched the terms “pressure cooker bombs” and “backpacks.”

After interviewing the company representatives, Suffolk County Police Detectives visited the subject’s home to ask about the suspicious internet searches. The incident was investigated by Suffolk County Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Detectives and was determined to be non-criminal in nature.

[link:http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/08/government-knocking-doors-because-google-searches/67864/|

[Bragi]

59. Remember, Pressure cookers are now WMDs

One of the charges against the Boston Bomber brother calls the pressure cooker bomb a weapon of mass destruction. If you're just a culinary user, why would you be bothered if armed law enforcement pays you a visit?

[Bragi]

60. al Quinoa now operating in Long Island! /nt

[Demit]

62. Hahahahahahahaha!

Thanks for the laugh. Clever!

[geek tragedy]

61. Michele Catalano made the google search story up. No federal involvement, just a loony hack writer

looking for publicity.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/01/employer-tipped-off-police-in-pressure-cookerbackpack-gate-not-google/

[TriplD]

68. There are 2 sides to this story

The only evidence you have that she's a "loony hack" is your 100% faith and trust in what the authorities are pushing.

One side is lying, and I'm not willing automatically assume that the police are the one's telling the truth.

[geek tragedy]

71. She's admitted it. The story stunk from

the beginning.

[phleshdef]

75. She is now admitting on her blog that their story is the truth.

It was his former employer that called in the report because of history on his work computer. Its over and done.

[derby378]

64. Unfortunately, New Yorkers are used to losing their freedoms day by day

And still people don't understand why we hold up Edward Snowden as a hero.

[geek tragedy]

65. Ummmmmn

http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/01/employer-tipped-off-police-in-pressure-cookerbackpack-gate-not-google/

[derby378]

66. QED

Doesn't matter if Google or an employer tipped the NSA off - the end result is still the same.

[geek tragedy]

67. Um, makes a big difference. The computer is the employer's property.

It's not spying for them to look at the hard drive of their own computer.

People tried to make this about the NSA.

[msanthrope]

70. Well, it does. Search for porn on your own computer, it's no one's business.

Search on your bosses' computer? Good luck.

[penultimate]

81. What a creepy employer...

[geek tragedy]

84. We don't know why he was fired, if he made threats etc. nt

[Lugal Zaggesi]

72. Quit your whining, lady

At least you weren't tased, lead-shot-bean-bag blasted, then shot and killed by police because your LifeAid medical alert pendant went off by accident at 4:00 am in the morning:

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/5/4/kenneth_chamberlain_sr_as_charges_ruled

Imagine the surprise of 68-year-old African American and former Marine, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., as the cops pounded his door and windows demanding to come inside to see "if he's alright" - while Mr. Chamberlain was frantically calling LifeAid to tell them he was fine, call off the cops !

LIFEAID OPERATOR: This is your help center for LifeAid, Mr. Chamberlain. Do you need help?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: Yes, this is an emergency! I have the White Plains Police Department banging on my door, and I did not call them, and I am not sick!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Everything’s all right, sir?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: No, it’s not all right! I need help! The White Plains Police Department are banging on my door!

KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: They’re breaking in my door! They’re breaking in my door!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Mr. Chamberlain, I heard you say they’re breaking in your door. Are you OK?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: My door.
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Mr. Chamberlain, are you OK?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m fine!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: OK. You pressed your medical button. That’s why the officers are there. Can you go to the door and speak to them?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I (inaudible) the door. They’ve got their guns out! They have their guns out!

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: Soon after Kenneth Chamberlain’s sister was assured the police would not shoot her brother, that is just what happened. Police video shows the moment police broke down his door and shot him with a taser. TV viewers will see a few quick glimpses of Kenneth Chamberlain. The 68-year-old man was wearing boxer shorts and no shirt. This video was recorded by a camera on the police taser. Listen closely and you can hear the sound of the taser.

AMY GOODMAN: You can actually see the electricity shooting Kenneth Chamberlain. The video cuts out at this point. Within minutes, Kenneth Chamberlain was shot dead by the police.

(Note: the whole REASON for the LifeAid medical alert pendant was because Mr. Chamberlain had a very sick heart - he was scared to death of the police TASING him. Which they did. And then blasted him with a shotgun. Then a regular bullet.)

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/5/4/family_of_kenneth_chamberlain_sr_seeks
OFFICER STEPHEN HART: Mr. Chamberlain! (banging on the window, as other officers continue breaking down the door)
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: Don’t do that, sir. Don’t do that. Don’t do that, officer. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Do not do that! I’m telling you I’m OK!
OFFICER STEPHEN HART: Open up the damn door, nigger!
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m telling you I’m OK!

Welcome to the United Stasi Of America.
Remember to read the fine print of your "organ donor" card - see if they have to wait till you're dead...

[phleshdef]

74. So now that this turns out to be pretty much a non-story, are we going to get some retractions?

A lot of folks were pretty quick to believe, on face value, that this was all some NSA related thing and proof of the coming police state. Can we at least admit that's not the case?

[cstanleytech]

76. You might be waiting awhile as some of them probably need to visit a

podiatrist to have their feet surgically removed from their mouths.

[morningfog]

77. Do we know the basis for the 6 terrorist task force members showing

up, asking questions and searching the house?

[geek tragedy]

78. Yes, her husband got fired and his employer found

the searches on the hard drive and called the local cops.

[morningfog]

79. So, the home search and interrogation were based on

googles searches?

[phleshdef]

83. They were based on his employer looking at his search history on THEIR computers.

He had recently been fired or laid off. Someone was using the computer he had used there and saw this stuff in his browser search history and decided to notify the authorities. They probably got scared that he was gonna go postal or something. It DOES happen.

[we can do it]

89. Of course not....They are too busy running around dodging the sky that is falling.

[Cha]

80. Yeah, Big Fucking Brother was a big fucking DUD.

[intaglio]

90. This story is false please withdraw it

as posted elsewhere, both in this thread and others.

The employer reported the internet activity to the local police.

The local police called.

There was no NSA involvement
There was no FBI involvement
The Guardian is reporting Catalano's own tweet and blog.

The real story http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/01/employer-tipped-off-police-in-pressure-cookerbackpack-gate-not-google/

With a quote from the PD.

As a result of numerous media inquiries, received today by Suffolk County Police Department regarding an internet blog posting, the following statement has been made available.

Suffolk County Criminal Intelligence Detectives received a tip from a Bay Shore based computer company regarding suspicious computer searches conducted by a recently released employee. The former employee’s computer searches took place on this employee’s workplace computer. On that computer, the employee searched the terms “pressure cooker bombs” and “backpacks.”

After interviewing the company representatives, Suffolk County Police Detectives visited the subject’s home to ask about the suspicious internet searches. The incident was investigated by Suffolk County Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Detectives and was determined to be non-criminal in nature.

Any further inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the Suffolk County Police Department

She has confirmed this on her blog
http://openareas.tumblr.com/post/57110075747/clarification-and-update

We found out through the Suffolk Police Department that the searches involved also things my husband looked up at his old job. We were not made aware of this at the time of questioning and were led to believe it was solely from searches from within our house.

I did not lie or make it up. I wrote the piece with the information that was given. What was withheld from us obviously could not be a part of a story I wrote based on what happened yesterday.

The piece I wrote was the story as we knew it with the information we were told. None of it was fabricated. If you know me, you know I would never do that.

If it was misleading, just know that my intention was the truth. And that was what I knew as the truth until about ten minutes ago. That there were other circumstances involved was something we all were unaware of.

Thank you.

I love the fact that somehow the false interpretations put out about this story had nothing to do with her.