In March of 2014 in a feature written by Glenn Greenwald and Ryan Gallagher “the NSA has developed the technology to covertly hack into computers on a mass scale…and implant malware…This enables the NSA to break into targeted computers and siphon out data from foreign Internet and phone networks. British intelligence appears to have played a role in developing the implant tactic” (Redfern). The Washington Post discovered in 2014 that 90% of those secretly watched by the NSA had no ties to national security. Out of 160,000 emails, 7900 documents and 11,000 online accounts gathered by the NSA between 2009 and 2012, 9 out of 10 account holders were not intended targets. The information gathered was a startling look into the lives of ordinary Americans, but had no intelligence value. Redfern believes this activity is more about control than surveillance. Knowing that the NSA is listening to their phone conversations might make people fearful of airing their views on their cell phones, land lines or even Skype. This is a side effect of surveillance. People won’t share their real views about the world today. People stay quiet, says Redfern, not because of a particular law or mandate, but out of fear and concern for their own safety. In that sense, the effects and potential blowback of surveillance on a massive scale DO control us and DO dictate what we say—on social media, our phones and it also dictates what websites we explore and what kind of documents we write in Microsoft Word. This is what keeps me from exploring the Dark Web. I’m afraid–pure and simple. Redfern brought up the subject of “1984” the dystopian novel written by George Orwell. Redfern mentioned the “alternative facts” in it and the chilling comment by Kellyanne Conway that Trump’s lies are alternative facts. In “1984” propaganda, indoctrination, lies and alternative facts are the order of the day (Redfern). Book sales of “1984” soared in 2017; people were afraid it was coming true.*************************** When information is withheld from the public, which is the situation right now, it puts the public to sleep. The people are in a state of ignorance. All we hear about is Trump and other politics; the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Right now it’s all the migrants coming from the South. Governments exert control over the people by withholding information–there was a blip about China and Russia preparing for war with the US. WAR!! What happened to that story? The public should be getting a lot more information from the government via the media. If the people are oblivious to facts, data and material that we should know–we are right where they want us–asleep. A nation wallowing in ignorance is a nation that is controlled. It is very easy to keep us in the dark. Different federal agencies have differing levels of classification. The primary issue is whether data has a bearing on national security. Often material is placed at a higher level of security than is warranted, making us blind in areas where we should not be. SAPs or Special Access Programs are for very sensitive information, which won’t go out to the public. Secrecy has three tiers: Top Secret, Secret and Confidential. Top Secret, if exposed could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Secret, if exposed could cause serious damage to national security.Confidential, if exposed would cause significant damage to national security. On December 29, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13526, which classifies the following: military strategies and programs****current state of military capability****information on enemy nations****means of securing intelligence-based data****covert sources of information****methods of defending nuclear arsenals****matters concerning WMDs (Redfern). President Obama, in signing the EO, said: “No information can be classified indefinitely.” On July 4, 1966, President Lyndon B Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This was important legislation for the people’s right to know on all issues that impact our lives, particularly so in relation to widespread control of the public. There are clauses, however, that permit withholding of files, if seen as justified. There are 9 exemptions ( files that are withheld): classified national defense information****internal personnel practices****information exempt under other laws****trade secrets and confidential business information**** letters protected by legal privilege**** personnel and medical files****law enforcement records****information concerning bank supervision**** geological and geophysical information.* A story titled “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a picture of a very disturbing world that might be in our future if we keep following the path of the New World Order. Even though the Cabal was defeated along with the Reptilians, we still have the Deep State to cope with and President Trump is still at risk. The people of the United States at the end of the 21st century has been dumbed down to the lowest level possible. Intelligence is so ruthlessly regulated that the nation is almost dysfunctional. There is no Constitution, no freedom of speech and no civil liberties. The population is controlled by the sinister Office of Handicapper General. This agency ensures that everyone is equal. In theory this seems like a world without poverty, stigma or problems. But actually it is a world of dummies. This is not the fault of the public, but of the Handicapper General. Those born with high IQs are subjected to mind-numbing technology that lowers their intelligence. Those who are overly sexually attractive must wear masks. Those with great athletic ability must haul around heavy blocks (Redfern). Enter poor Harrison Bergeron, who can’t conform. He is a teenager who is tall, athletic and has a very high IQ, all the things the US in 2081 can’t tolerate. When Harrison is arrested by the stormtroupers of the government, his parents have no real understanding of what is going on. They are content just to watch TV in a “befuddled state.” Redfern says: “Let us hope that millions of real Harrison Bergerons will resist such a terrible change if it ever came to pass in American society.”