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The header of the article says it all:  A national network of cameras and computers automatically logging car number plates will be in place within months, the BBC has learned.

While “innocent people” will have “nothing to fear” according to Scotland Yard, at least one protester has been pulled over by the anti-terror police for his plate having been “marked”.

It seems the TSA has changed their position on scanners that can see through clothes.  Yes, that’s right, the lovely people at the airport who now hassle you about your shoes and laptop will now be able to see your naked.  They’re not even bothering with attempting to block out the naughty bits.  Of course, you can always consent to an invasive pat-down if you’d prefer.

Here’s an excellent graphic on how the government’s budget stacks up this year.

For those of you that haven’t been following the news, pirates have become something of a problem again.  While that might make for good TV (or not, it remains to be seen), it’s a real problem that is turning boat captains into hostages, and making life more difficult on the sea.

Ron Paul has a plan to make the seas safer.  By using Letters of Marque, which were used heavily in the Revolution and War of 1812, private entities can solve the piracy problem.  They essentially act as bounty hunters on the seas, and their rewards are whatever they manage to capture from the pirates.  Of course, one automatically assumes that this would lead to anarchy, but the would be privateers would need to post a bond and also to agree to abide by International Rules of War.  It saves the government money, provides incentive for the private sector, and ideally solves the piracy problem as well.

It should be noted for you history buffs that the United States was not a signatory of the Treaty of Paris, whose signatories agreed to abolish privateering, so it would still be legal for US citizens to engage in the activity.

It seems that some residents of the island of Kauai needed the government to fix a road to a park that they rely on for tourism dollars.  The government was going to take two years to do the $4 million job, and the Hawaiians got it done in eight days.

As the government gets more and more inefficient, will things like this become more common?

From the eWeek article’s abstract:  “The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 introduced in the Senate would allow the president to shut down private Internet networks. The legislation also calls for the government to have the authority to demand security data from private networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access.”

As if it wasn’t bad enough already being the most surveilled society in the world, the Brits are rolling out a trial in Manchester that will see Smart Cars dispatched with CCTV cameras on them.  Those cameras will be used to take pictures of “distracted” drivers – those eating, changing radio stations, talking on mobile phones, etc. – and then send them a fine.

The United States Government is giving $3 Billion dollars to Pakistan for its army over the next five years.  This does NOT include the $7.5 Billion that’s already been planned for civilian aid.  Of course, it’s all dependent on how Pakistan does fighting the Taliban, and their efforts towards democracy.  No word on how those objectives will be measured.

According to Bloomberg News, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been given a $46 Billion dollar infusion of cash.

“Both companies said in recent securities filings that they will need more aid and that the $400 billion Treasury lifeline may not be enough to stay afloat this year.”

Saying “Enough is enough…” Barack Obama decided to dismantle most of the government today.  “It’s gotten too big, we’re spending too much money, and we’re interfering too much in the free market.  It’s time to end the charade and return to smaller government.”

The only agencies expected to survive are the Judiciary, the Executive Branch, the Congress, and the VA.  However, Congress persons are expected to obtain full-time jobs, and still maintain perfect voting records.  The VA, which is expected to be scaled back, will continue to function as long as is necessary to provide for the proper care of returning troops.  “We’re going to get back to basics,” said Obama, “and that means reading the constitution, providing for our troops, the roads, and the national defence”.  When asked why he spelled it the UK way, Obama would only say that he’d really enjoyed his recent trip to London and his visit with the Queen.

When pressed as to what would happen to companies that were previously Too Big To Fail (TM), Obama merely remarked that the market would naturally work things out.

Most Congresspersons walked around Washington with a dour look on their faces.  Ron Paul was seen to be skipping and jumping, screaming “Finally!  Woo hoo!” as he bounded down the sidewalks.

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