In the heart of Lower Manhattan, an unusual 29-story skyscraper, devoid of windows, stands tall and mysterious. Its code name is Titanpointe, and it is located at 33 Thomas Street. This building has baffled New Yorkers for years.
The building, constructed in 1974, was designed to withstand atomic blasts and was initially intended to house vital telecommunications equipment. It was envisioned as a communication nerve center, fortified against nuclear threats, by the architectural firm John Carl Warnecke & Associates.
This imposing structure, a gray tower of concrete and granite soaring 550 feet into the New York skyline, remains, unlike any other building in its vicinity. Unlike neighboring residential and office buildings, it does not have a single window and remains unilluminated. At night, it takes on an eerie presence, and by day it casts a giant shadow, its square vents emitting a faint hum, often drowned out by the city’s bustling sounds.
For decades, 33 Thomas Street, also nicknamed the “Long Lines Building,” has captured the imagination of New Yorkers as one of the city’s weirdest and most iconic skyscrapers. But the true purpose of this enigmatic structure has remained largely concealed, shrouded in secrecy.
The Secret Behind 33 Thomas Street
Beyond its enigmatic exterior, 33 Thomas Street conceals a deeper secret. This building appears to be more than just a telecommunications hub. Evidence from documents obtained by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, along with architectural plans and interviews with former AT&T employees, suggests that 33 Thomas Street served as an NSA surveillance site, code-named Titanpointe.
The NSA’s involvement goes beyond mere speculation. Inside the building, there’s a major international gateway switch that routes phone calls between the U.S. and countries worldwide. The NSA is believed to have tapped into these calls from a secure facility within the AT&T building. This covert surveillance program has targeted not only international organizations like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank but also numerous countries, including U.S. allies.
While AT&T has cooperated with the NSA on surveillance, few details have emerged about the specific role of facilities like 33 Thomas Street in carrying out top-secret programs. The Snowden documents, however, provide unprecedented insight into how NSA equipment has been integrated into AT&T’s network in New York City. This integration reveals the methods and technology employed by the agency to gather communications data from the company’s systems.
The NSA’s presence within this iconic skyscraper raises questions about the boundaries of surveillance in the modern world. As Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the liberty and national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice, points out, “This is yet more proof that our communications service providers have become, whether willingly or unwillingly, an arm of the surveillance state.” The deep integration of the NSA within domestic communications infrastructure challenges the notion that such surveillance can be neatly confined to non-American targets.
If you see a coin stuck in your car door handle, you’d better call the police
When you were heading toward your car, did you ever notice a coin lodged in the door handle? It’s an odd and perplexing sensation. Many have come to this conclusion after wondering if this was merely an odd accident or if it had some sort of significance. It turns out that burglars can enter cars covertly using this method. Hold on tight, because I’m going to show you how to apply this smart approach to defeat those bothersome auto thieves. We’re going to learn how to perform our own auto security, so hold on tight!
Thieves of smart cars typically choose the side where the passenger is seated when inserting tiny coins into the door handles. That being said, why is the passenger side door buttoned? The problem is that when you attempt to use your key for the central locking, it completely malfunctions. Why? You can’t fully secure your automobile because that seemingly innocuous penny got jammed in the passenger door.
Let’s introduce some mystery now. Car thieves are not just hapless snatchers; they have a more sinister agenda. The burglar might be close by, lurking in the shadows, waiting for you to give up or become preoccupied as you struggle with your key to unlock your car.What should a car owner who is handy with DIY projects do if they believe someone has tampered with their car door? Fear not—here are some helpful do-it-yourself suggestions to prevent the vehicle thief from obtaining it:
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