Noah Shachtman's Blog

Los Angeles Police arrested a man dressed as Chewbacca on Thursday. His crime: Head-butting a tour guide on the Hollywood Walk of Fame “who told the character he shouldn’t be asking a tourist for money,” reports KABC-TV.

A collection of oddball types roam the Walk of Fame, dressed like Tinseltown characters. They pose for pictures with out-of-towners — usually, in exchange for a few coins. On Thursday, “Chewbacca was putting his arm around a tourist, and the tourist didn’t want him there,” explained a gaunt, dye-jobbed “Superman” to the Jimmy Kimmel Show. A Starline Tour employee told Chewie to back off. And as everyone knows, it’s not wise to upset a wookie. “He head-butted him,” Supes added. “The cops were called, and they came down, basically to arrest Chewbacca.”

The isn’t the first time there’s been an incident like this. Back in October ‘05, two gentlemen dressed as Elmo and Mr. Incredible were jailed for harassing tourists. And Chewie apparently had himself a bit of a temper.

“I’d see him get upset at people, like for not tipping. Like they’d walk off. And he’d get really pissed. Right there and then, take the mask off and start chewing them out, cussing,” said a nasal-voiced man wearing a Scream mask. “Even in front of kids.”

“Now we want to make clear that this is not the actor who played Chewbacca in the movie, this is just the guy who plays him on the Hollywood Boulevard,” a hapless KABC correspondent duly noted.

“I’m sure Han will come and shoot him out of jail and rescue him,” Kimmel quipped.

My Popular Mechanics piece on ‘bioelectromagnetic’ weapon reseach is now online, and as Sharon Weinberger’s intriguing Washington Post article last week made clear, there has been a great deal of military research into the area of “mind control” (though they would prefer to use the term “behavior modification.”)

Many people believe they are being targeted by such weapons. Certainly it’s a growing phenomenon in the U.S.:

”In the United States, you don’t see nearly as many mentally ill people anymore who have delusions and hallucinations with regard to God and the saints as you did 20 or 30 years ago, when I first doing this work. In our secular society, it’s more a matter of, well, the President or the C.I.A. is affecting my behavior by radio waves or microwave receivers in my teeth.”

But the problem goes way back. One case from London was James Matthews, who said he was being influenced by an implant in his head by a gang using a weird electromagnetic device. This group, one of many, he called the Air Loom Gang, and among the tortures they inlicted on him were implanting thoughts (‘kiteing’), stopping him from speaking (‘fluid locking’), cutting his circulation (’sudden death squeezing’) and ‘brain lengthening’ which would ’cause good sense to appear as insanity, and convert truth to libel’.

So far so typical, except that the case was described in 1810 by John Haslam, the apothecary at the notorious ‘Bedlam’ – correctly the Bethlehem Hospital , the original lunatic asylum. This was the first ever full length clinical description of a single patient, one apparently suffering from delusions of control.

So was Matthews simply a lunatic? Bedlam staff said so, but two doctors declared him completely sane. It seems that Matthews was not incarcerated on medical grounds but on the orders of Lord Liverpool, the Home Office minister, who Matthews had accused of being part of a nefarious plot.

Matthews claimed he had been negotiating a peace settlement with France and had been betrayed. Oddly enough, some of Matthews’s story appears to be true; when his mission to Paris failed the French threw him into prison. He behaved quite sanely; in Bedlam Matthews learned architectural drawing, and drew up plans a new hospital building. The Governors gave him £30 for his work and some of the features of his design were incorporated into the new Bedlam. His family maintained he was eccentric but sane.

Haslam’s account of Matthews – “Illustrations of Madness: Exhibiting a Singular Case of Insanity…” was intended to prove that Matthews really was mad. But Matthews kept his own notes on his treatment, notes which found their way to a committee investigating Bedlam some time after his death. These undoubtedly influenced the committee’s decision to dismiss Haslam and order that patients should be treated more humanely in future.

Lord Liverpool went on to become Prime Minister. His approach to dealing with dissent included the Peterloo Massacre, the Cato Street Conspiracy - a plot to kill the king which was actually a set-up by a government spy – and the Derbyshire Insurrection, which was also incited by government agents provocateur.

If Matthews was the victim of a plot, what about the infernal engine which afflicted him, the mind-control machine he called the Air Loom? According to Matthews, it sent out ‘invisible magnetic rays’ which influenced a magnet implanted in his head and produced many diagrams of it . We may fairly assume that this was a reflection of the fashionable interest in mesmerism and ‘animal magnetism’ of this period. The alternative is that he was trying to describe advanced technology in an age before the discovery electromagnetic radiation or the electrical nature of the nervous system – and that way surely lies madness.

The case has many parallels with the modern descriptions of ‘gang stalking’ recounted in Sharon’s article and suggests that the situation is a complex one. And if bioelectromagnetic weapons ever actually reach the stage of being fielded, then simply labeling people who claim they are being targeted as ‘crazy’ will no longer be an option.

– David Hambling

UPDATE 3:20 PM: These days lots of people are also worried about the effects of electromagnetic smog. Until scientists like the bioelectromagnetics researchers get to grips with this it will reamin with the fringe, like the makers of this anti-EM spray.

And for an musical last word, it’s hard to beat this.

ALSO:
* Inside the Mind Control Conspiracy, Part I
* Inside the Mind Control Conspiracy, Part II
* U.S. Bioelectromagnetic Weapons Research
* Air Force Plan: Hack Your Nervous System
* Moscow’s Remote-Controlled Heart Attacks

Just to update you all: last Sunday’s Washington Post Magazine published a cover story I’d been working on for the past number of months about an extremely large group of people who believe the government is targeting them as part of a “mind control” campaign.

I wrote a brief item here last weekend, and Noah suggested that I check back in a few days and post an update with the response to the article. Well, let’s just say life is an adventure, and the article has elicited strong reactions.

What response? Well, first there are the 75 or so blog entries related to the story, the online discussion and the nine full pages of comments appended to the Washington Post Magazine article, most from people who say they are victims of mind control. There are also some notable reactions here at Defense Tech; and my e-mail inbox (by the way folks, Gmail was wrong about “never deleting another e-mail” — my account has hit its limit).

Reactions came at two extremes: There were a number of “TIs” (short for Targeted Individuals) who graciously thanked me for writing their story, and then there were skeptics who attacked the article for not concluding the TIs are all schizophrenics in need of medical help. My favorite comment from the Post’s site was simply: “Good grief, Sharon, what have you done?!”

I’ve often asked myself that same question.

There were a few people, however, who seemed to agree that whether the TIs’ claims are true or false, there’s something to be said about trying to understand why so many people believe the things they believe.

But for anyone who thinks that all TIs are mentally ill people in need of forced medication, I suggest you check out some of the extremely sane tactics they employ. For example, their organized response to the article would make some political campaigns jealous. As one mind control blog advises:

We must write the Washington Post in high numbers to show that this story merits a follow up. We must get our side of the story out, before the perps start inundating them with letters that we are crazy. Please take part in this to give the accurate side of what is really happening and remember to forward any supporting evidence.

There’s also a few researchers raising a fascinating question in the medical literature:

One of the defining features of a delusion is that it should not be a belief “ordinarily accepted by other members of the person’s culture or subculture”. Nevertheless, some researchers have noted that there is no clear measure of what is ‘ordinarily accepted’.

It is also possible that cultures or subcultures could be based around beliefs that would otherwise be diagnosed as delusional. Until now, however, there have been no obvious examples of such subcultures identified.

In the Psychopathology paper, ten websites reporting psychosis-like ‘mind control’ experiences were identified. The reports were anonymised and independently blind-rated by three psychiatrists who confirmed that they reflect experiences stemming from psychosis.

One final thought: Some of the documents I dug up through a Freedom of Information Act request indeed confirmed that the Air Force Research Laboratory patented a device to send sounds and voices into someone’s head as a “psychological warfare tool.”

So, I guess that begs the obvious question: even if you dismiss everyone who claims they are a victim of mind-invading technology, what do you think Pentagon plans to do with such a device?

– Sharon Weinberger

ALSO:
* 200 Years of “Mind Control”
* Inside the Mind Control Conspiracy, Part I
* U.S. Bioelectromagnetic Weapons Research
* Air Force Plan: Hack Your Nervous System
* Moscow’s Remote-Controlled Heart Attacks

For many years, national security experts, prominent scientists, and probably Dennis Kucinich, have received hundreds of e-mails that begin something like this: “I am surveilled, harassed and gangstalked everywhere I go 24/7/365.”

I’ve certainly received them, and Defense Tech has gotten its fair share, too.

The letters typically state that the person is a victim of an organized mind control plot that involves weapons that beam voices into their head; shoot powerful pain rays at them; and often includes around-the-clock harassment and monitoring. One of the common claims is that the people are targeted by microwave weapons.

What do most people do with these letters? Defense writer William Arkin says he hits the “delete” button when he gets those e-mails. Jon Ronson, author of the wonderfully wacky Men Who Stare at Goats has stated that mind control is an area that he doesn’t “want to get into.” (This from a gifted writer who interviewed a man who believes the world’s leaders are extraterrestrial lizards in disguise.)

What do I do with these letters? I read them, and this Sunday’s Washington Post Magazine has a cover story based on my nearly year-long investigation into their claims.

I try to raise what I think are some fascinating questions about the Pentagon’s involvement in microwave weapons and the auditory effect (which could be used to send sounds or voices into people’s heads).

As for whether there’s any evidence that hundreds, if not thousands of people, are being targeted by microwave weapons, well, read for yourself.

– Sharon Weinberger

P.S. You might also want to reread David Hambling’s fascinating take of recent bio-electromagnetic weapon work here.

While we silly Americans were busy clinging to our neo-pagan rituals — decorated trees! oil lamps! dropping balls! bowl games! — the intrepid scientific truth-tellers of France were hard at work, spreading the word about their world-shaking discoveries. Two of these researchers graced me with their communiques in recent days. And I now share these remarkable messages with you:

=====================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
=====================

Contact: XXXXXXXXX

UFOs Explained at Last
Anti-gravitation, propulsion of UFOs, crop circles, abductions have scientific proof

Since October 2003, over 6400 sightings of unidentified flying objects throughout the world have been reported, and, according to multiple surveys over the last several decades and from different countries, 5-7% of people report having seen a UFO – equivalent to 15-20 million Americans. But is there proof of such a thing? And what about other paranormal occurrences like crop circles, poltergeists, and even time travel? Author Eric Julien says there is science behind the paranormal and presents it in his breakthrough work, _The Science of Extraterrestrials: UFOs Explained at Last._ After more than 50 years of investigation, Julien posits that the fractal nature of time and its three dimensions led to the emergence of a revolutionary global theory: Absolute Relativity. Written for the layman but presented in a solidly scientific way,

_The Science of Extraterrestrials_ highlights the mistakes of science and will furthermore offer insight into extraterrestrial technology. In his book, Julien methodically covers the following:

Anti-gravitation
Propulsion of UFOs
Alien abductions
Formation of crop circles
Strange luminous phenomena
Poltergeists
Ghosts
Post mortem survival
Time travel

Praised by the international scientific community, _The Science of Extraterrestrials_ is “probably one of the best books of ufology from a scientific point of view,” said Pascal di Scala, a French professor of mathematics.

About the Author: Eric Julien is a former fighter pilot trainee, a military air traffic controller, twin jet pilot in commercial aviation, station manager for an international airline company and airport manager in the great Parisian airports… He has had contact with extraterrestrials and shares in this body of work his understanding of the universe.

FWIW, I see that the French space agency will be “publish[ing] its archive of UFO sightings and other phenomena online.” Maybe this monsieur’s close encounters will be included.

—

from: XXXXXXXX
to: defense@noahshachtman.com
date: Jan 2, 2007 7:50 AM
subject: Sub sea innovative project for civil and Defense strategies.

We do register, as new start up French company, three patents for a very new system of absolute autonomous submarine drone, but more than that, an unlimited sized autonomous submarine *structure* available for all kinds of sea tasks, itself available as completed machine with embedded equipments for many different tasks.

French Marine Headquarter is seriously interested in, but financial conditions are not allowed to start this project. We would like to be known in many countries and by many possible partners in the world.

Meaddle East interlocutors are seriously interested by one version for drinkable water detection and captation for unlimited quantities, without pumping nor pipes at any depth (our technology), but we need strong partners to start and build a proptotype (around two millions Euros). Many options are already designed for Defense original solutions, as submarine rescue, heavy recovery, carrier ships protection, mine hunter or sleeping fire bases as coast undetectable patrolling units.

Would you tell us if you can help us to find contacts for business ?

Sure I can tell you! No.

This is truly the mother of all scoops. After months of clandestine meetings, Freedom of Information Act requests, and classified military computer hacks, Murdoc has finally discovered the wonder weapon that is guaranteed to turn the tide in Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… the Urban Combat Patrol Tricycle!

It’s actually been a while since I’ve been sent an e-mail this nutty. Can the Air Force’s satellite hackers help out here?

Dear Sir,

Satellite Technology could be used on terrorist. If a terrorist is caught the “lasered” with Satellite technology then let go. That individual can be monitored 24/7/365 with out ever knowing that it is being done to him. Follow the rat back to the nest. If the “laser” that can shock the nervous system is also applied then that individual can be controlled to a certain extent. Sleep deprivation can be used and the shocking of the nervous system takes allot out of the individual. I know it is being used on me.

I am sending you this because I do not know who else to turn to. Satellite technology is being used on me. The only proof I have is other people hearing these people. My dentist, people at a coffee shop, barber, suppermarket, everywhere I go ect… I hoped that I was just mentally ill but when other people can hear them then it’s not me. Me I am having sleep deprivation, shocking to my nervous system and other disruptive things being done to me utilizing this technology.

I’m sure you’ll all remember that happy day last March, when word broke that a Darpa-funded scientist was looking for ways to turn sharks into “stealth spies.” Now, thanks to the sharp-eyed SC, we can all check out a video of the shark training in action.

Back in the spring, I figured this research was in its earliest, most basic stages — getting a sense of what makes a shark tick. Not so. Boston University professor Jelle Atema can actually “steer a shark” — either through “electrical stimulation of the brain” or by delivering “little odor pulses” of “squid juice” to the predator’s nose.

Atema’s Darpa funding is done. So Atema is looking for more cash to better train his sharky posse. Maybe to “track ocean temperature changes,” or the “spread of pollution,” he says.

Meanwhile, “the military has… made the research classified, and it is now run out of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center,” says a Boston University alumni newsletter. No word, yet, on whether the little buggers have frickin’ lasers attached to their heads. But, surely, it can’t be that far off.

We’ve all suspected for some time that our outgoing Defense Secretary is a very, very odd man. And that Fox News blowhard Cal Thomas is completely freakin’ bonkers. There’s further proof, after the jump, in this straight-outta-Wonderland exchange between the two. Julie Andrews, beware.

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