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.
Michael Douglas’s Son Is a Carbon Copy of His Dad, and Fans Can’t Believe It
Michael Douglas and his sons recently attended a big event in style, and fans couldn’t get over how much they all look alike.
Michael Douglas showed up with strong family support at the 2024 Princess Grace Awards. His sons, Cameron, who is 45, and Dylan, who is 24, joined him at the event.
Michael Douglas and his sons recently attended a big event together, charming everyone with how much they look alike.
The trio appeared on the red carpet at The Pierre Hotel in New York City on October 23 for the 40th anniversary of the Princess Grace Awards. Michael stood proudly in the middle with his arms around his sons, making for a heartwarming family scene.
Michael wore a classic black suit with a bow tie. On his left, Dylan matched his father’s style with a navy-blue suit and a black bow tie. Cameron, on his right, added a personal touch with a black suit, a stylish striped tie, and bold black-framed glasses.
Later, Michael shared a photo of them on Instagram, showing his appreciation for the award he received. He wrote, “Night out with my two sons @dylan__douglas @cameronmorrelldouglas! Thank you Prince Albert II and @princessgraceus for honoring me with the Prince Rainier III Award last night in NYC.”
Fans quickly reacted to his post, with many noticing how similar the three of them look. “Sharp-dressed men 👏,” one person commented. Others highlighted the strong resemblance, calling them “Daddy’s copy” and “carbon copies.”
Many fans pointed out that Michael and Cameron look especially alike. One fan noted, “The one in the glasses looks a lot like Michael.” Others mentioned how Cameron reminded them of Michael in his famous film Falling Down.
While many saw a strong resemblance between Michael and Cameron, others thought Dylan looked more like his mother, Catherine Zeta-Jones. “Cameron looks like Michael, and Dylan looks like his mom,” one fan commented. Another said, “Dylan is a mix of you and Catherine.”
Michael has a son, Cameron, with his ex-wife Diandra Luker and two children—Dylan and a daughter, Carys, 21—with his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
At 80, Michael feels he’s become a better dad as he’s gotten older, though sometimes he’s mistaken for his kids’ grandfather. He once shared a funny story about attending his kid’s college event where someone mistook him for their grandparent. “This is not grandfather’s day, this is parents’ day,” they said, and he had to reply, “I am a parent!”
Michael says his second chance at family life with Catherine has made him more patient and involved. After 25 years of marriage, he feels that raising Dylan and Carys has been “a good ride.” Although he stays active, he admits he’s had to cut back on some activities. “It’s nice having someone look after you and say, ‘You okay, Dad?’”
Michael also deeply appreciates his family life with Catherine, calling these years some of his happiest. He feels grateful for his family and proud of his kids. Dylan has finished college, while Carys is close to completing her studies.
Michael has openly spoken about how his busy career took him away from his eldest son, Cameron, during his early years. This distance affected Cameron deeply, leading to struggles with addiction and even prison time. Michael once admitted in a letter to a judge that his demanding job left little room for family, and he regretted missing out on Cameron’s life.
Cameron later admitted that he “hated the wreckage” drugs brought to his life, though he felt unable to stop. Watching his son’s struggles, Michael and his ex-wife, Diandra, felt helpless. “I thought I was going to lose him,” Michael recalled.
However, after his release in 2016, Cameron rebuilt his life. Now, he’s a devoted father to his child with his partner, yoga instructor Viviane Thiebes, and he’s reconnected with his acting career. Cameron now feels grateful for the support his family has shown him through it all.
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