Americas Book Of Secrets Season 3 Overview: Secrets, Secrets Everywhere

I'm a little behind with reviewing "America's Book of Secrets" but better late than never. See my seaons one and two reviews here The last season is currently available on Amazon Prime, Google Play and Vudu. Sorry but it's not on Netflix yet. The H2 channel episode overviews are below. My favorites were "Big Brother", "Secret Underground" and "America's Doomsday Plan". My notes are in italics.

Episode 1 "Scientology"
It is one of the most secret organizations in America. A religion–based on the cosmic revelations of an inspired genius–that boasts more than 100,000 faithful followers throughout the world. We'll reveal the hidden origins, strict doctrine, secret language and celebrity allure of the wealthy and influential institution. Former Scientologists disclose the reasons they were drawn to the church–and why they left. Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige, describes her difficult experiences inside the organization. Former church executive, Mark Rathbun, demonstrates Scientology's most revered spiritual technology–the "E-Meter." And watchdog Tony Ortega explains the appeal of Scientology that draws in new members. Find out why some consider Scientology a spiritual choice and others consider it a road to

If you're familiar with the basic tenets of Scientology there's not much new here. However it's a good overview for newcomers. I also highly recommend Jenna Miscavige Hill's book "Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape". It's an excellent read. The HBO documentary "Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief" was also released last week. It's based on a book of the same name by Lawrence Wright. The Rolling Stone review is here: http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/10-things-we-learned-from-going-clear-20150330

I've Got My Eye On You

Episode 2: "Big Brother" This episode uncovers the secret surveillance methods the government and big business use to watch, monitor and record our every move. Government whistle blowers, Thomas Drake and Jesselyn Radack, reveal how the NSA decided to aggressively monitor Americans' correspondence after 9/11. Documentarian Cullen Hoback explains how the government has partnered with Silicon Valley high-tech companies like Facebook and Yahoo to gather data on every American citizen. And former computer hacker Sammy Kamkar explains how someone could watch you from inside your own home. Buzzing drones overhead. Emails monitored and stored. Cell phone records tracked and analyzed. In today's digital age, is the concept of privacy now extinct? There are those who believe Big Brother is already here–and that the secret monitoring of American citizens has only just begun.

This was my favorite episode of the season. I think privacy as we once knew it, is a thing of the past. But we dont have to worry about the government spying on us. We post pretty much everything about ourselves on the Internet for anyone to see. Hi everyone, the family will be on vacation next week. Feel free to come over and rob us. Americans need to think about what freedoms we're willing to give up in the name of convenience. Google Maps doesnt work if it doesnt know where your phone is.

Trapwire is a super high tech government facial recognition system. Where do they get all these pictures to match against the database? Facebook of course. We all added our photos willingly. DARPA is working on using insects (both real and manufactured) to do surveillance. And lest you think you're safe in your own home, think again. Anything with a webcam/mic can be used to spy on you (even if the light isnt on). That includes the webcam in your ipad, your security system, your X Box, etc. Fingerprint scanners can also be hacked. Use tape to take a fingerprint off a glass, scan and then print it. Then try unlockign that person's iphone. Mental Note: I must try this.

Microchipping- law enforcement officials and soldiers in Mexico are already required to be microchipped. There is some ruckus that US citizens must be chipped as a part of Obamacare. Not sure I'm buying that. PRISM is another NSA program doing data mining on a gigantic scale. Bluffdale is their newest facility. The plan seems to be, if you're not sure what's you're looking for just collect everything and worry about it later. FEAR (which stands for Future Attribution Screen Tech) sounds like it could be out of "Minority Report". It wants to figure out what you're doing in order to stop you BEFORE you do it. The truth is often stranger than science fiction.

Episode 3 "American Terrorists"
Political dissidents… armed to kill. Sociopathic outsiders… harboring hatred. Religious zealots… plotting mass destruction. And all of them hiding in plain sight. But just who are these killers in our midst and is there any way to stop them? This episode delves into the world of terrorism on American soil and reveals how authorities are working to stop these radical groups. Deputy Chief of LAPD Counter Terrorism Michael Downing reveals terrorists recruiting tactics in American prisons. Former Sergeant of the Massachusetts State Police Sean Murphy recounts the manhunt for the Boston Marathon Bombers. And journalist Laura Sullivan describes how today's new terrorists may be as close as your next-door neighbor. With an estimated tens of thousands of terrorists operating in the United States, can Americans ever reclaim the peace and security that was once taken for granted? Is there any chance of winning the so-called "war on terror?"

No much new here. It's very difficult,if not impossible, to protect against lone wolves because they leave no trail. There is a fine line between infringing on individual freedoms and trying to guarantee the safety of US citizens.

Episode 4 "The Gold Conspiracy"
Gold. It is one of the most precious metals in the world. A glittering commodity so rare that people will go to great lengths to obtain it. But who sets the price? And what are the secret methods to control its value? Uncover the clandestine world surrounding the highly prized precious metal. How much gold does the United States really have–and where is it locked away? Is the American government overstating the amount of gold in its reserves to create the mystique of financial superiority? Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich discusses the gold standard and the possible manipulation of the commodities markets. Chairman of Euro Pacific Precious Metals Peter Schiff describes how gold could replace credit cards. And author Matthew Hart details how the U.S. is storing gold that belongs to other countries–but may now be missing from the Federal Reserve's vaults.

Humans have always been obsessed with gold since it is such a rare metal. The US economy used by based on how much gold we had until in 1971 Nixon took the US off the gold standard. This means that the American dollar's value is no longer linked ot gold.

A lot of controversy surrounds how much gold the US actually has in storage (this is part because the government wont let anyone inspect the gold vaults). The IS supposedly has 800 tons which equaled $440 billion in 2013. There have only been 200,000 tons of gold throughout history. This would fill a tennis court to a depth of 30 feet. US gold is stored in 4 locations: The US Mint in Denver, Fort Knox, West Point and the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. In 2011 Ron Paul challenged the US government to let an impartial audit be conducted. The government refused.

Also half of all Germany's gold has been stored in the US since the 1970s. When they asked for their gold back, the US government said it would take some 7 years. Why is that?

The JP Morgan gold vault is also located very close to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. Several have hypothesized that they're using the old bait and switch by shuttling the same gold between both locations.

A number of other companies/individuals have started private gold vaults since they dont want to store their gold in banks (since in the event of an emergency they might not be able to access it). If there is a major disaster, gold will again become the main currency.

Episode 5 "America's Secret Armies"
They operate in the shadows… Men trained to kill… without leaving a trace. But who are these secret forces? What are their covert methods? And, can they be trusted to protect the interests of the American people? Delve into the clandestine operations of the United States most expertly trained secret weapons. But what exactly are these surreptitious services designed to do–and whom do these stealth-like soldiers ultimately report to? Are the strategies of these covert armies effective in keeping the United States one step ahead of its power hungry enemies? National Security Attorney Mark Zaid reveals details about the prestigious Delta Force unit that have remained a well-kept secret–until now. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft discusses the concept of asymmetrical warfare and how our government employs it today. And author Peter Singer describes the underground war being waged over the internet.

The most highly trained secretive groups of the military are under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). They include the Army's Delta Force, the Navy's Seal Team 6 and the NightStalkers. The "Activity" is the most secret of the units under JSOC. Large amounts of money are spent on this specialized fighting forces but we're not sure how much since it's off the books.

DARPA has also been working on robotic fighting machines for some time. "Atlas" is the most successful and closely remembers the Terminator. It can use human tools but so far is not weaponized. Drones have also quickly become a reality.

NSA and US Cyber Command are located in Fort Mead MD and have 57,000 military and civilian personal (which makes it bigger than the Pentagon). Cyber threats may be one of the biggest future threats. It was discovered that Stuxnet was first used against Iran to attack their nuclear program.

We are also seeing a rise in mercenary armies. Blackwater (which has been renamed to Academy) is one such example. Many are making a living protecting corporate interests on the high seas. And for some companies it is cheaper to hire an army than to replace a freighter.

Episode 6 "Secret Prisons"
Go inside the maximum-security world of America's "secret prisons" and unveil their hidden agendas and covert operations. With about one in every one hundred and seven Americans serving time, why are there more people incarcerated in the United States than any where else in the world? Bob Hood, the former Warden at the United States Administrative Maximum Facility reveals what life is like for prisoners inside the gates of what is considered the most secure prison in America. Former inmate Andrew Stepanian reveals details of his lock-up at the Communication Management Unit, a prison that holds some of the country's greatest security threats. Director of the ACLU National Prison Project David Fathi describes the "Kids for Cash" scandal and the under-the-radar Debtors' Prisons. And former Warden Daniel Vasquez explains the big-business surrounding private prisons and FEMA Camps.

I am very conservation when it comes to law and order but we cannot ignore the fact that the US has more people in prison than any other country. Prison time for drug offenders does nothing to help them recover from their addictions. Putting non violent offenders in with violent inmates is a recipe for disaster. There must be a better way but I have no idea what that is.

Episode 7 "The Billionaire Agenda"
This episode reveals the underground world of America's wealthiest citizens and the depths at which their power and influence take root. Do billionaires think they know better than the majority? Are the American masses just objects to control? Forbes Editor Luisa Kroll talks about the growing wealth of the super-rich and the exclusive billionaire communities that are forming around them. Former United States Secretary of Labor Robert Reich divulges how billionaires' "dark money" influences American politics in ways that are off-limits to public scrutiny. And Author Mark Dice discusses the Bilderberg Group, the world's most secretive society of billionaires and the extreme measures they take to ensure that what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors.

The US has the largest number of billionaires in the World followed by China and Russia. The 400 richest Americans are worth $2 trillion. They include Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and the Walton family (of Walmart fame). Christy Walton is the richest woman in the US. Oprah Winfrey is the only African American on the list.

Some billionaires have turned to charitable work (which is commendable) but do they know what is best for the rest of us? The "Good Club's" agenda is to save the world (starting with controlling the world's population). The Koch brothers also hold a biannual meeting for conservatives and hand pick the 300 guests. Another highly secretive group is the Bilderbergs. They consist of both liberal and conservative members. The Illuminati is of course the daddy of the secret societies (if they really exist).

Episode 8 "Secret Underground"
Americans may be aware of what's above ground, but do they know what's concealed beneath? And could subterranean facilities on U.S. soil house secrets so dangerous, our government would stop at nothing to keep them hidden? We examine the tunnels, cities, and fortresses covertly constructed beneath the feet of the American public. Author, Nick Redfern, reveals the secret government fortress used in times of crisis to house high-ranking officials. Former CIA contractor, John Lear, discusses secret underground rail systems connecting America's major military installations. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura Duffy describes the Super Tunnel; the latest discovered passage in an advanced network of drug smuggling tunnels beneath the US and Mexican border. Author, Terry Kirkpatrick, discusses the possibility of terrorists teaming with drug cartels to use underground tunnels as a means to attack the United States.

There is a vast amount of US infrastructure underground. No only does this free up space above deck but makes such systems harder to sabotage (since if the bad guys cant find them, they cant attack them). While this provides security it can also be dangerous. There have been a number of stories recently about leaky gas lines causing explosions etc. Many citizens in US cities have no idea what is beneath them.

Are the stories of underground rail systems using maglift (magnetic lift) connecting the coasts true? It is widely known that the government has a series of underground facilities to provide continuity of government in the event of a national emergency. One such decommissioned facility is "The Greenbrier Hotel" in West Virginia (which I hope to visit someday). See it on the list of Nine Best Places In The US To Survive The Apocalypse Mountain Weather is another facility in Virginia (which government officials could quickly fly to from DC). It can house tends of thousands of people for months. A facility under Denver International Airport is also suggested. During it's construction there were massive holes in the ground with very large buildings that are not currently viewable. The budget for the project was also way over budget.

Scenarios are presented in which the New York water supply it compromised. That would have disastrous effects.

The Mormans are trying to record the geneology of everyone who ever existed on earth as part of their faith. This info is stored on microfiche at an underground facility know as the "Granite Vault" (because it's built into Granite Mountain). Joseph Smith believed in baptism by proxy (which means a person's soul could be saved even after they died. They also maintain a genealogy database online at FamilySearch.org where people add their own info.
Episode 9 "The Secret Service"
They are an elite force of brave men and women who put their lives on the line. Their mission: to guard the most powerful person in the world. But just who are these American heroes? And what secrets are they protecting? This episode goes inside one of the most top-secret law enforcement agencies in the United States. But is there more to the Secret Service than just protecting America's greatest asset? And do recent scandals signify a growing problem within the ranks? Current director of the U.S. Secret Service, Julia Pierson, discusses the history of the agency and the growing threats against the office of the President. Former U.S. Secret Service special agent, Dan Bongino, reveals the grueling agency selection process and the psychology involved in assessing ever-present dangers. And Political Journalist, Marc Ambinder, examines the scandal in Cartagena, Columbia and how it has impacted the culture within the Secret Service.

The Secret Service have taken a lot of hits recently but misbehavior of several of its agent. The vetting, training and work environment are extremely stressful. They are never "off duty". If they are not working they can be called in at a second's notice. You have to be away from your spouse for long periods of times. There is a high suicide rate among agents. It's a little know fact that the Secret Service is also in charge of guarding the US's currency supply.

Episode 10 "America's Doomsday Plan"
An atomic attack… cyber warfare… a deadly airborne virus… the list of doomsday scenarios facing the United States has shaken the American psyche. But what is the government doing to protect the nation from ultimate disaster? This episode takes an in-depth look at the impending threats facing our world today. With the Doomsday Clock set to 5 minutes before midnight, is the end of the world looming just around the corner? And could our lack of preparation force us to make the ultimate choice: who will live and who will die? Survivalist Tim Ralston talks about the threat of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and the devastating impact it could have on the entire world. Ronald Kessler describes the cyber command center and current state of cyber warfare. Bill Kristol discusses the continuity of government and secret bunkers that would be used in the event of a catastrophic attack.

This is my second most favorite episode. I'm seen most of what was depicted from other sources but its still fun to review. The US government has made extensive plans on what to do in case of various emergencies. They must be able to provide "continuity of government" in the event of a natural disaster. The chain of command moved from the president to the VP to the speaker of the house and down through various cabinet officials.

The Capital Visitor Center in DC has been the source of much speculation. It was 3 years late in being completed and $300 million over budget. Interestingly, no one is allowed access to the bottom floors of the center. If there an extension shelter where the government can retreat to? Cheyenne Mountain is another facility that is mentioned.

Nightwatch is a specially designed plane that the president can use during an emergency. It is Airforce One on steroids.

Alex Jones appeared in this episode (and several others this season). FEMA spends some $5 billion per year on disaster planning. Some believe that in the event of an emergency, FEMA will do whatever is necessary to "control the masses". Preppers/survivals have also point to 2012 when President Obama signed an Executive Order that says in case of emergency, the government can seize whatever they want/need.

Does the government really make lists of preppers? I certainly hope not. Some believe the National Guard has been instructed to treat preppers (there are some 3 million) as terrorists.

The Vivos Group is also building private underground shelters that citizens can pay a membership fee and join.

US Cybercommand is a part of the NSA. There are tasked with thwarting attempts (from other governments or citizens) to infiltrate our systems (including those that run electrical grids, nuclear power plants etc). Is there really an "Internet kill switch" that can be used to turn off large sections of the internet. Can DOS (denial of service) be used to be bring the internet down?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). For the die hard survivalists and conspiracy theorists there may not be much new info. For the novices, there is plenty of information here to explore. Denver International Airport alone ought to keep researchers busy indefinitely.