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1. Malwhere Malware

   Or, if you value your privacy, you can remove the battery from your phone.
   Sucks if you have one of the iPhones, or some of the newer (Samsung?) Android phones. The phone is solid, you can’t remove the back to remove the battery.

   Another thing to think about when it’s time to purchase a new cell phone.

2. The ability to track the location of a cell phone is a feature not a problem. It wasn’t “added” to enable some kind of nefarious government monitoring it is simply how the system works. That it can be used for good or bad is just like everything else in the world. When I was a kid my spinster neighbor actually watched us out her living room window everyday all the time. She would complain to my parents if we stepped on her lawn. A trivial example to be sure. IMHO so isn’t the cell phone issue. Maybe someday it will be used to do bad things. But it hasn’t yet!!! There are cases in civil court where litigants have proved an accident was caused by someone using their cell phone. There have even been cases in criminal court where people were exonerated by proving through cell phone records they were someplace else. If you don’t like it than don’t use a cell phone or keep it shut off. I am 75 and for 65 years of my life I did not carry a cell phone. I only have one today for convenience and for that inevitable day when I have a heart attack or a auto accident. But if I quit using it tomorrow I honestly wouldn’t miss it.

3. Wrap the phone in aluminum foil (several thicknesses) to block the signal if you want to be ‘untrackable.’ Then, you can put it inside one of those metal fireproof boxes. (if you REALLY want to be sure.) It may take a few minutes for the phone to re-establish a connection after you remove it for later use.

   But know that many modern cars have tracking software pre-installed, also. That ‘On-Star’ type function (even if you do not pay for a subscription) can be used to track location, turn the car on and off, lock and unlock the doors, and listen to conversations in the vehicle.

   And to think people are voluntarily installing devices like ‘Alexa’ in their homes (which also can remotely listen to what is said—not to mention the microphones/cameras on computers and some Smart TVs.).

   Welcome to Orwell’s ‘1984.’

4. With respect to “nefarious government monitoring”… The cellphone software design may, indeed, have purely monetary motivations. I’ll even concede some utility to the tracking features, as in the cited case of medical emergency location.

   That does NOT mitigate the reality that it can and is being used for “nefarious government monitoring”…

   I really dislike being “monitored” by my government. It smacks of “Big Brother”. It IS a “problem”.

5. Most of the EMP naysayers were really commenting on the probability of occurrence of an EMP, which is admittedly very low, rather than the potential impact of an EMP, which is potentially catastrophic.

   Nations that have the capability to build and launch an EMP attack include the US, UK, France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Israel, North Korea and probably Iran. An EMP weapon, detonated at 300 miles above a continent like North America, would cover the continent with electromagnetic charge. The strength of the charge depends on the design of the weapon.

   The EMP Commission tested against 50Kv/M or 50,000 volts per meter of antenna. (Note: the electrical distribution network is a wonderful antenna, connecting your house, office, church and hospital and providing a smooth avenue of approach for the EMP pulse to electric appliances.)

   Russian sources have reportedly designed a super EMP weapon capable of producing 200,000 volts per meter of antenna, a design that ended up in North Korea. But we haven’t tested nuclear weapons in the atmosphere since the 60s, so no one has hard data on the damage potential.

   We do know that Extra High Voltage (EHV) Transformers in the electric grid are potentially sensitive to EMP overcharge, are extremely expensive, take eighteen months from order to delivery, are not made in the US, and are common in the Grid (700-800 in the US, alone). Replacement of damaged EHV Transformers could take years, during which the affected population would remain without electricity.

   My conclusions: EMP is a Very Low Probability but Catastrophic Impact threat, and should be planned for just like a Carrington Event level Solar Flare, Nuclear War, and Pandemic.

6. Part of the problem is Americans wanting every new gadget that comes along. I don’t have a cell phone; I figure if humans lived without it for all but about the last 25 years, we don’t suddenly need it now. If I have an accident or a heart attack, I’ll borrow a phone. And pay for using it. But no cell phone on me.

7. no 1a and 2a Costco. Darn, I just paid up my membership in Costco and got one of their credit cards’ And another thing, I just bought a GM product with Onstar, guess I’m done for

8. Ford has the Sync system. The only connection I know of to the outside world is through the cell phone. Even the 911 assist has to have the phone connected. The WiFi hot spot that can be created inside the car is through the cell phone or through connection to a nearby WiFi source. Turn off the WiFi in the car, turn off the Bluetooth in the car, turn off both on your phone, no connection to the outside world. Unfortunately all this is only through software switches.

   One concern I have is the SiriusXM radio in the car. Can that be used as a separate connection to the outside world? I haven’t found any definitive information one way or another. As for GPS, live with it or find a way to turn it off. I lease the car now, can’t wait to buy it, then I can start having changes made to the car. This beast is more connected than I ever wanted.

   The only other concern may be a possible unpublished wireless connection means to the blackbox in the car.

   Maybe it’s time to buy an old car.

9. I dumped Costco last year. They have great deals, but I am done with corporate control.

10. Regarding the Swiss following EU gun control laws;

    I live about 2 hours from Switzerland, and fluently speak one of their official 3 languages. I routinely visit switzerland, and have occasional business to conduct there. As a passionate competition shooter and all around general gun enthusiast, i have spoken with the average Swiss citizen many many times regarding all kinds of gun ownership topics. Please believe me when I tell you that the Swiss WILL NOT peacefully follow ANY EU gun restriction measure. Although the attitude has been slightly more mellow in the 40 years I have been visiting Switzerland, it has not gotten to the point that anyone would allow the citizenship ANY FORM of disarmament. Remember, this is the country that holds a shooting match at the voting stations, and the majority of the citizens come to the polling stations with their rifles, and vote with their rifles on their backs, not just to attend the match, but to make a point of exactly who is in charge.

    As a side note, last month i engaged a fairly young Swiss male in a conversation about “Topic #1 when people discover I’m an American”, which was my views on American gun laws. And, as usual, I was asked why Americans have so many guns? I said my usual answer, which was something along the lines of to exercise our right to keep them and to be prepared to stop tyranny in government. His reply was “I don’t believe you, it must be something else, because as armed as all you Americans are, and as much tyranny as you are suffering, and because nobody has used these guns against the government yet, there must be another reason. If the government of Switzerland ever tried one tenth of what you are experiencing in the US, the bridges and lampposts would be full of politicians hanging on ropes!”

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