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.
Tonsil Stones: Small But Fascinating
Have you ever searched the internet for videos of someone popping pimples, draining cysts, or even removing tonsils? It’s amazing how these things can hold our interest! Let me inform you if you’re not familiar with tonsil stones; they’re actually pretty fascinating!
What Do Tonsil Stones Mean?
Hard white or yellow growths on the tonsils are called tonsil stones. These are the tissue flaps at the back of your throat that fight infections. When debris and materials, including food particles, calcium, germs, and fungi, become lodged in the tonsillar crypts—tiny spaces within the tonsils—tonsil stones are the result.
Signs and Easy Fixes
Though more prevalent than you would imagine, tonsil stones don’t always result in symptoms. When they do, though, they may cause unpleasant side effects like sore throats, coughing, earaches, and poor breath. The good news is that getting rid of them is simple!
You can try a few other approaches. The stones may be easier to remove if you gargle with salt water. Alternatively, you can carefully remove them using a cotton swab or other soft tool. An intense cough can even work sometimes!
Would You Like to See?
It can be really gruesome, so beware if you’re feeling bold and want to see what a tonsil stone looks like. But have a look at the video below if you’re game. This video, which has millions of views, shows someone really extracting a tonsil stone!
Tell About Your Experience
Have you already had a tonsil stone? Tell us in the comments if that’s the case. Tell us about your experience, please! If you enjoyed reading this article, you may find more fascinating reading by clicking on the links below.
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