I spy, you spy
The Cold War may be over, but don’t tell that to Hollywood. Nothing makes for better popcorn munching than watching a secret agent grab his gadgets and beat up the bad guys. Sometimes it’s serious business; sometimes it’s played for laughs. With the big screen version of “Get Smart” in theaters now, let’s spy on some Web sites that deal with espionage.
JAMES BOND
By the time this year ends, there will have been 22 James Bond movies. The latest, starring Daniel Craig as the sixth Bond to pack a Walter PPK, is called “Quantum of Solace.” Yeah, I think it’s a pretty lame title, too. Who the heck are they going to get to sing that main title? Weird Al Yankovic? While you ponder that strange merging of pop cultural icons, take a look at this site for all kinds of facts about MI6’s luckiest secret agent. There’s more info here than you can shake a vodka martini at.
VALERIE PLAME WILSON
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/17/ 60minutes/main3378089.shtml
It’s fun to watch James Bond sneak around and uncover secret documents, but Valerie Plame Wilson was a real operative for the CIA until her cover was blown in a political scandal in 2003. Pundits argued about whether she was really a spy or just a glorified paper pusher. At this site, find out about what happened from Wilson herself. It’s an interview from “60 Minutes,” and it is filled with Bondian intrigue.
KGB
http://www.russiansabroad.com/ russian(underscore)history (underscore)364 .html
Until the fall of the Soviet Union back in the ‘90s, the favorite adversary for spies in America and across the pond was the Russian KGB. The Soviet spy organization had quite the nasty reputation, but was it deserved? Considering agents are still secretly serving breakfast to their enemies with a side of polonium-210 — probably. At this site, find out the history of our Cold War enemies, even what KGB stands for. Although, unless you speak Russian, I wouldn’t try to pronounce it. It could cause a serious tongue sprain.
ASTON MARTIN
http://www.astonmartin.com/thecars/ buildyourastonmartin
Ever since “Goldfinger,” James Bond has been forever associated with the Aston Martin. It was a cool car even back in 1964, and it’s still a head turner today. At this site, you can virtually custom build your own. You can choose the color, leather options, stereo possibilities — everything. I couldn’t, however, find the option to install the passenger ejector seat.
X-RAY GLASSES
http://www.amazon.com/Gag-Works- X-RAY-GLASSES/dp/B0006L3ECO
If you read comic books as a kid, you probably found it hard to resist the cool stuff you could send off for advertised on the back cover, especially the X-ray glasses. They said you could see through walls, through people and through clothes. It was in a comic book, so it had to be true! I never bought a pair, because I opted for sea monkeys instead. But you’re in luck. At Amazon, you can still buy a pair and amaze your friends — on how gullible you are.
SPY GADGETS
http://www.webupon.com/ Web-Talk/Top-10-Barely- legal-Gadgets-for-the-Mod ern-Spy.89197
OK, the X-ray glasses are pretty dumb, so how about some spy gadgets that really work. You won’t find a wrist watch with a super magnet in it, but you will get the scoop on some real life spy gear that is actually available, and, according to this site, barely legal. Surveillance equipment? Check. Intrusion gear? Check. Secret utility belt packing ninja stars? Oh, yeah.
SPYWARE
http://www.spychecker.com/ spyware.html
Probably some of the sneakiest stuff still sneaking around being sneaky might be on your computer right now. It’s called spyware, and it does nothing but cause trouble. You visit a site and it puts software on your computer that reports your surfing habits to firms that want your business. And it’s not illegal. Find out more about spyware and its evil cousin, adware, at this site — I need the money. (Just kidding.)