Starting in 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set up a vast network of what it calls "local data fusion centers," 77 in total (or maybe 68, the DHS isn't even sure) — in the hopes of producing solid intelligence on potential terrorists, who would presumably operate from within the country (ie 'home-grown terrorists).

So, the DHS is using tax dollars to log the personal information of U.S. citizens in order to create a vast spreadsheat. Complex 'potential terrorist' algorithms would then scan these spreadsheets and red flag anyone who might be a potential threat.

It's easy to see why in September of this year, after a congressional investigation, Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) issued a report about these fusion centers basically saying that they're a total waste of money (somewhere between $289 million and $1.4 billion).

Some of the waste includes:

• dozens of flat-screen TVs;
• Sport Utility Vehicles that were then given away to other local agencies; and
• hidden “shirt button” cameras, cell phone tracking devices, and other surveillance equipment unrelated to the actual mission of a fusion center.

Also from the report:

The subcommittee investigation found that the fusion centers often produced irrelevant, useless or inappropriate intelligence reporting to DHS, and many produced no intelligence reporting whatsoever.

 

A photo posted by Kade Ellis, an employee of American Civil Liberties Union, and a popular surveillance blogger, shows what it looks like when you've been entered in to one of these "fusion centers." [Photo posted above]

If you click on the link, you'll notice it leads to Microsoft. That's because Bill Gate's Company helps fund these centers, in return for their continued business.

In fact, Microsoft helped fund and set up the NYPD's massive surveillance apparatus — The 'integrated intelligence solutions for police departments and securi....'

According to Fast Company, "Microsoft has quietly become one of the world's largest providers of integrated intelligence solutions for police departments and security agencies."

Read more: BUSINESS INSIDER