http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet-security/10573573/NSA-can-eavesdrop-on-your-PC-even-if-it-is-not-on-internet.html

Wow! And this report concerns information on technology that is five years old.

Bet business in Faraday cages is booming, in certain quarters anyway.

I recommend renting 'Enemy of the State' with Will Smith for a look at the technology that no longer looks as far fetched as at the time that movie was made. About the only thing that movie missed or misled about was satellite-on-demand technology. Orbital mechanics still must be obeyed, even when NSA or NRO calls. That and competition for access to limited eye-in-the-sky resources. There is a long line.

Electronic gathering from space is a whole different proposition. More like strip mining or large ships trawling that scoop up many fish varieties by the tons to be sifted for processing or discarding back into the ocean.

Sorry, this is off topic but you provided me with a memory of an image that I "have" to relay. Large fire fighting aircraft can fly low over a body of water and scoop up a tankful and then proceed to the fire and dump it. As you can understand, this saves a LOT of time, not having to land, re-load with water and take-off again. One perhaps amusing and also perhaps perplexing result is the finding of fish in the remains of a fire. Imagine being a inexperienced smoke jumper and, while fighting a fire on the ground, find fish being rained down on you.

Best regards,

RA1

One perhaps amusing and also perhaps perplexing result is the finding of fish in the remains of a fire. Imagine being a inexperienced smoke jumper and, while fighting a fire on the ground, find fish being rained down on you.

Best regards,

RA1

Yummm.... smoked trout.