The hanging death of a Kentucky census worker is likely to raise tensions among counters in the 2010 census, who have already been the focus of emotionally charged online rhetoric this year because they use GPS.
Internet conspiracy theories have grown in recent months over the fact that census workers are now equipped with GPS-enabled handheld computers that let them collect the geolocation of street addresses as they perform pre-census canvassing. It's an improvement on the paper maps the census has historically used for the same purpose.
"The exact geographic location of each housing unit is critical to ensure that when we publish the census results for the entire country, broken down by various geographic areas ranging from states, counties and cities, to census blocks, we accurately represent the data for the area in question," the Census Bureau explains on its website.
But that explanation doesn't wash with everyone.
A post on the widely read Infowars.com in June warned: "I will tell you plainly, the NWO [New World Order] controlled American military wants these GPS markers so they can launch Predator Drone missile attacks, the aptly named HELLFIRE missile I might add, against a long list of undesirables here in CONUS, continental United States."
Other commentators have posited less lethal theories. The American Daily Review warned in April that the Census Bureau is "shooting GPS coordinates of your doorway" in possible preparation for a secret Obama plan to cede some of America's sovereignty to the United Nations.
"If the government decided to rely on foreign troops, perhaps United Nations personnel, most of which may not understand the street signs, much less know the lay of the land, they could use GPS devices to direct them to your front door," the site explained.
And RightSoup.com suggests that the government, "and ACORN," wants the coordinates for Americans' front doors as "a jackboot convenience."
The conspiracy theories have struck a chord with a certain type of American, and posts like these have collected comments from people vowing not to allow workers anywhere near their houses. A few comments have taken an ominous tone.
"Only a fool would allow the New World Order to come up and take GPS readings at your front door," wrote a commenter to another Infowars.com post. "There is nothing good to come from Big Brother's constant meddling into our lives! Beware, and carry a big stick… preferably .308 Winchester full metal jacket."
The FBI is reportedly investigating the death of 51-year-old Bill Sparkman, who was found hanged on Sept. 12 with the word "fed" written on his chest. The Census Bureau has suspended field operations in the Kentucky county where Sparkman was found, The Huffington Post reports.
