....and fairly soon, we will have waited too long...

 A while back, we mused on the ever growing national security state, and perhaps a reason or two why:

"...the very wealthy in the US have neared the terminal point of their oil based power, and have begun the project of triage, dismantling the welfare state, shifting created wealth out of public systems and into private ones, increasing 'national security' and 'anti-terrorism' expenditures as a means of consolidating power using the rump of the liberal state. A similar process unfolds in Western Europe, and follows a pattern set in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. These measures, imposed first externally on Argentina, South East Asia and Brazil, as well as Mexico, now threaten Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain with the liberation of the wealthy from the reaches of the remaining poor. China and India will face crisis situations, driven by population and food/fuel consumption, which will precipitate resource conflicts within and beyond their own borders, so that 'this disparity between the Euro-American dominions, the territorially expansive but unevenly developed nations such as Russia, Turkey, Brazil, China and Iran, and the 'underdeveloped' peripheries compel the several factions and combinations of capital and control to vie for access to remaining convertible resources, by simultaneously withdrawing public commitments to superfluous domestic populations and extending armed authority over regions ripe for extraction.'

This may present a useful way of understanding the seemingly 'knee jerk' reaction of American elites, to failed and minor acts of "terrorism," as well as to any protest or provocation which calls into question the means, methods or morality of their power.

As justifications for the militarization of the commons, and the capture of the creative class as dependents of the corporate-state.

As the world approaches a climate tipping point for which no solution present itself, coupled with the collapse of the one hundred year historical anomaly of cheap, reliable energy, the ruling factions approach a final plateau - sacrifice their power, luxury and wealth, or sacrifice the rest of us...."

(See also.)

Already, states use computer modeling systems to predict behaviors in populations, as well as with regard to individuals. Corporations have done so for quite some time. Following the British example (perfected in Belfast), several American cities have begun to develop extensive camera systems, for widespread passive and active surveillance (funded of course by the federales) which the feds and the States will coordinate in data conglomerates called "fusion centers."

Now, let's meet the new machines coming soon to a city near you, which will add an extra stratum of data collection, as well as the requisite intimidation.

This one " integrates advanced controls technology with agile airframes to synergistically mesh sensor and aircraft capabilities into a system capable of navigating through natural and urban canyon environments:"

 (note the laughable corporate speak)

This one, designed to look like a bird, apparently works well enough to fool turkey vultures in its test environment:

This one, small enough to fit on a dinner plate, functions as a tracking and targeting device:

Passive and active surveillance, for the busy American death state.

Why?

Why would a government need so many tools to control its population?

In a word, austerity.

Van Creveld had it right, nearly two decades ago: the Westphalian Age has come to its conclusion. States across Europe, Asia and the Americas continue the process of redefining citizenship and the strictures of obedience, as we live and breathe. Right here. Right now.

Happening, in our lifetimes.

And in short order, we will have waited to long to do anything about it.

For real.

h/t American Samizdat