Hey everyone: I got this article off Catholicity. It sounds really good, until you get to the part about the microchip. What do you think?

Love,

Gail

P.S. I'll be out of town 'til next week. I'll miss you all!

Bracelet to track kids by satellite By CHRISTINE JACKMAN 25aug02

AUSTRALIAN parents soon will be able to "tag and track" their children by satellite.

Two United States companies have unveiled tracking bracelets that can locate a child within 60 seconds of a distress call being sent. The bracelets transmit a signal that is picked up by the Global Positioning System network of navigational satellites.

The bracelets also can be set to sound an alarm if a child wanders beyond programmed limits.

The devices, which look like watches, are being sold by rival US companies who are modifying them to suit Australia's communications systems.

One of them, Digital Solutions, also expects to soon release a tracking microchip that can be embedded beneath a child's skin.

A spokesman for the other company, Wherify Wireless, said interest had skyrocketed since the deaths of British schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells.

But he dismissed claims the companies were cashing in on parents' panic and invading children's privacy.

"How can you criticise a device that helps parents monitor their children?" he said.

"It's ludicrous to criticise technology that is going to save a life."

A spokesman for Federal Youth Affairs Minister Larry Anthony said the Government would not support introduction of the bracelets.

"It's completely over the top and inappropriate for Australia," the spokesman said. "(Mr Anthony) would not use them on his own kids."

The Wherify device, which can be locked on to a child's wrist, sells for $US400 ($A740). Parents pay a monthly service charge of up to $A90.

They can log on to an internet site that displays an aerial photo or street map location of their child.

Police have warned that concrete and steel can absorb the GPS signal, meaning children in basements or large buildings may not be found.

NSW Child Protection Enforcement Agency commander John Heslop said there was no substitute for supervision.

"What irritates me is that a lot of parents (who buy the bracelets) would not even know who their child is talking to on the Internet in their own bedroom," he said. © Advertiser Newspapers Ltd

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 28, 2002

Answers

Hi Gail, I will go find Jackiea's thread called 'Verichip'. It might be of some interest to you. Have a safe and blessed trip.

David S

-- David (David@excite.com), August 28, 2002.

Gail, put $500 in your purse, with your identification and phone number, and leave it out in the street. Try it up to a maximum of ten times until it doesn't come back to you.

If you can get to ten, then go ahead and take the chip.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 28, 2002.

Will we be able to wait for our beloved ones if we tress thier where about on internet chips or whatever it might be. Its one thing to say "dear go and enjoy your time I will be waiting for you but do not be late because I will call the police" and "Dear you go and enjoy yourself and I'm making a follow up of your move on net"

-- Vianney George (kakadanny2002@yahoo.com), August 29, 2002.

"It's ludicrous to criticise technology that is going to save a life."

Sounds like the same shallow argument they use to justify fetal tissue research. Let's not patch the problem by tracking our childrens every move. Let's instead kill the problem at the root by becoming a more loving society (starting with ourselves).

In Christ.

P.S.

Gail, I also heard something about that in association with the mark of the beast. Whether it is or is not, they won't force me to imbed a chip in my childs body!

Have a great trip - you're in my prayers.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 29, 2002.