"We're from the government and we are here to help you."

For over eight years, I have been ranting about the potential dangers of incrementalism and sub-dermal biochip implants. I finally wrote about it in WorldNetDaily on April 20, 1998, in my column "Big Brother's watching."

It is increasingly clear that privacy has become an anachronism. The privacy the founding fathers so cherished is about to become a footnote in history.

Many are aware of the unbridled abuse of the alleged single-purpose Social Security number. The persistent push for a national identification card (complete with biometric elements) is barely a step away from sub-dermal biochip implants.

All the assaults on our privacy have a "reasonable" rationalization.

Now we have a classic example of the "reasonable" rationalization of incrementalism. Two stories over the weekend quietly acknowledge what our would-be controllers see as inevitable.

Wired magazine reported, "Foreign executives and other individuals who are frequent kidnapping targets in Latin America will soon be able to use implantable ID chips and personal GPS devices in an attempt to thwart their abductors." Gosh-oh-gee-golly! Thanks!

"Applied Digital Solutions announced Thursday it had reached an agreement with a distributor to sell its VeriChip and Digital Angel products in three South American countries." Of course, "for security reasons," the company refuses to discuss any particulars -- including the names of the countries or the distributor.

This isn't black helicopter stuff folks, and it's not far off in the future -- evil disguised as benign assistance is knocking on the door ... NOW.

WND has reported "Digital Angel set to fly soon." Implant technology (as in sub-dermal biochip implants) is about to be beta tested on humans. Starting as soon as July 15, "Applied Digital Solutions will begin beta testing on humans an implant technology capable of allowing users to emit a homing beacon, have vital bodily functions monitored and confirm identity when making e-commerce transactions."

So notwithstanding the protestations of privacy advocates or religious critics who warn of the Bible's book of Revelation and the "mark of the Beast," the first production run of "Digital Angel" devices has begun.

Applied Digital Solutions snatched up the patent rights to the miniature digital transceiver it has named "Digital Angel." Now they are ready to kick off a sea-change marketing blitzkrieg. The company plans to market the device for a number of uses, including as a "tamper-proof means of identification for enhanced e-business security."

If you've just returned from the Amazon or depend on the mainstream media to inform you, you may not be up to speed yet. Or, if you are a liberal socialist democrat you might be in denial.

Here's the deal. Digital Angel sends and receives data and can be continuously tracked by global positioning satellite technology. When implanted within a body, the device is powered electromechanically through the movement of muscles and can be activated either by the "wearer" or by a monitoring facility.

According to ADS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sullivan, "We believe its potential for improving individual and e-business security and enhancing the quality of life for millions of people is virtually limitless ... Although we're in the early developmental phase, we expect to come forward with applications in many different areas, from medical monitoring to law enforcement. However, in keeping with our core strengths in the e-business-to-business arena, we plan to focus our initial development efforts on the growing field of e-commerce security and user ID verification."

This is better than any national ID card.

This whiz-bang little device will send a signal from the person wearing Digital Angel to either a computer or the e-merchant with whom he is doing business in order to verify his identity.

But e-commerce is only the tip of the invasion-of-privacy iceberg. According to the patent on this hoped-to-be ubiquitous sliver of silicon, it is described as a rescue beacon for kidnapped children and missing persons. The implant will save money by reducing resources used in rescue operations for athletes, including mountain climbers and skiers.

Excuse me, but I TOLD YOU SO! Already they are spinning and manufacturing reality:

• Law enforcement can use the implant to keep track of criminals under house arrest.
• It will reduce emergency response time by immediately locating individuals in distress.
• The device also has the capacity to monitor the user's heart rate, blood pressure and other vital functions.

Peace of mind is a big selling point for this so-called "advancement." They tell us, "Your doctor will know the problem before you do," provided someone is monitoring your medical data when you get sick.

I have previously cautioned that our would-be controllers would incrementally introduce this ID/tracking/monitor/locator:

• First, I suggested, they would implant those who could not refuse (prisoners, and the military).
• Then, they would build a case for potential or feared kidnap victims. At first, it would be voluntary.
• Then, it would be required for "certain services." Eventually, it would be mandatory, and probably implanted at birth.

According to Digital Angel executives, one inquirer/prospect is the U.S. Department of Defense -- not directly -- but through a contractor. American soldiers may be required to wear the implant so their whereabouts and health conditions can be accessed at all times.

Christians and others believe the implant could be the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Years ago, I wanted to interview Terry Cook, who authored "The Mark of the New World Order." The book is about sub-dermal biochip implants. However, his focus was the book of Revelation and its warning that everyone would be required to "receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark" (Rev. 13: 16-17). I wanted him to focus on the technology, but he insisted on the importance of the biblical implication. I didn't do the interview and now regret it.

Digital Angel honcho Sullivan claims no one will be forced to wear Digital Angel. "We live in a voluntary society," he said. Yeah, like the "voluntary" Social Security card, and the "voluntary" income tax? Voluntary today tends to eventually, inevitably become mandatory.