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Thread: Drone America

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    I don't know barbaro's Avatar
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    Drone America

    This is eery. Protecting citizens and applying law enforcement or the use to enforce the government's will.

    Domestic drones. 106 different agencies are authorized to use drones inside the USA.

    Boeing can now make a drone that can stay in the air for days.

    FAA Has Authorized 106 Government ‘Entities’ to Fly Domestic Drones
    By Terence P. Jeffrey
    July 20, 2012
    Subscribe to Terence P. Jeffrey's posts

    Boeing Phantom Eye, drone

    The Boeing Phantom Eye is a drone designed to remain aloft for days.

    (CNSNews.com) - Since Jan. 1 of this year, according to congressional testimony presented Thursday by the Government Accountability Office, the Federal Aviation Administration has authorized 106 federal, state and local government “entities” to fly “unmanned aircraft systems,” also known as drones, within U.S. airspace.

    “We are now on the edge of a new horizon: using unmanned aerial systems within the homeland,” House Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Michael McCaul (R.-Texas) said as he introduced the testimony.

    “Currently,” said McCaul, “there are about 200 active Certificates of Authorization issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to over 100 different entities, such as law enforcement departments and academic institutions, to fly drones domestically.”

    At his panel’s Thursday hearing, McCaul showed a map of the United States with markers indicating the locations where--as of April--government entities had been approved by the FAA to fly drones.

    “The number of recipients since that time has increased,” McCaul noted.

    GAO testified that the FAA’s long-term goal is to permit drones to operate in U.S. airspace “to the greatest extent possible.”
    Entire: FAA Has Authorized 106 Government
    ............

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    What's the difference between a manned aircraft and an unmanned one? Besides cost to operate?

    The answer is not much.

    Any idea how many aero clubs fly unmanned aircraft around the US? Private citizens have been mounting cameras on gasoline powered RC aircraft for decades. But drones sounds so much more sinister. Tremble in fear, the sky really IS falling. If they start catching meth labs, illegal alien hideouts, triangulate gunshot locations, I'm all in favor. Obama's ghetto America needs more policing.

    There is a big difference between a drone and a remotely-piloted vehicle. Look it up yourself.
    Last edited by Panty Hamster; 23-07-2012 at 10:56 PM.

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    Why does the US maintain a Socialist government monopoly on operating drones, and keep them from private hands? A man has got a right to own a drone.

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    Fortunately, they still crash a lot and are expensive to maintain, requiring a lot of maintenance. Bloody creepy, though. Every day some new argument for not returning to the US appears. . .

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    The Boeing Phantom Eye is a pretty cool bit of technology

    Propulsion

    Each of the two propulsion systems consist of modified Ford 2.3 liter engines, reduction gearbox, and 4-blade propeller. The engines were originally designed for use with some models of the petrol-burning Ford Fusion car. To be able to run in the oxygen starved atmosphere at 65,000 ft, the engines feature a multiple turbocharger system that compresses that available low density air and reduces the radiated infrared heat signature to increase its stealth properties. [9]
    The engines, which provide 150 horsepower at sea level, have been tuned so as to be able to run on hydrogen.[9] The Boeing marketing department states that this will make the aircraft economical and “green” to run, as the only by-product will be water.[9]

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    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Perhaps these law enforcement drones will start bombing weddings to catch those pesky meth dealers.

    Why weren't Americans even asked if domestic drone use was tolerable?

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    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Heh...and someone had the gall to suggest in another thread that America is one of the most free countries in the world?

    What was one of those 'Terminator' movies portraying LA under State Control? Supposed to be science fiction but folks...it's here!

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    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Panty Hamster View Post
    What's the difference between a manned aircraft and an unmanned one? Besides cost to operate?

    The answer is not much.

    Any idea how many aero clubs fly unmanned aircraft around the US? Private citizens have been mounting cameras on gasoline powered RC aircraft for decades. But drones sounds so much more sinister. Tremble in fear, the sky really IS falling. If they start catching meth labs, illegal alien hideouts, triangulate gunshot locations, I'm all in favor. Obama's ghetto America needs more policing.

    There is a big difference between a drone and a remotely-piloted vehicle. Look it up yourself.
    Because it is against the 'posse comitatus'. In other words limiting government power, especially via military personnel, which includes hardware.

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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Perhaps these law enforcement drones will start bombing weddings to catch those pesky meth dealers.

    Why weren't Americans even asked if domestic drone use was tolerable?
    If you are a male over the age of 14 within a 100-meter radius of a meth lab you can be deemed an enemy combatant. Or does that only apply outside the US?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Jones View Post

    Because it is against the 'posse comitatus'. In other words limiting government power, especially via military personnel, which includes hardware.
    Who said it's military operating these planes?

    the Federal Aviation Administration has authorized 106 federal, state and local government “entities” to fly “unmanned aircraft systems.
    I'm pretty sure DHS thinks it's their job, as does the FBI. And every state police force believes its their right to protect and watch.

    And again, I ask ... why is an unmanned plane so different than a manned plane. Police agencies have flown spotter planes for almost as long as planes have existed. Why is it suddenly questionable, offensive, and intrusive if the pilot is in a shed on the ground somewhere?

    I don't see much difference. Nothing prohibits private citizens from flying RC craft.
    Is a camera in the sky any more invasive than one mounted on a pole along Main Street?

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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Perhaps these law enforcement drones will start bombing weddings to catch those pesky meth dealers.
    Nah. Domstic drone use: Obama is going for Tea Parties and militia groups; NY Mayor Bloomie is going for 32oz Coke drinkers and salt-shaker restaurants; CA is going for any restaurant still serving fois gras and farmers stealing water from streams serving some innocuous little fish while their orchards are dying.

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    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    There has been no public debate nor clear cut rules for the use of drones.

    At this time so many people are complaining about the government having too much control over people's lives, this being the latest way for the government or law enforcement to snoop.


    Also, this is a time people call for reducing taxes so why would taxpayers want their money spent on this expensive technology? The federal government need to cut spending and local governments can't even pay for garbage men to collect rubbish.

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    What's the difference between a manned aircraft and an unmanned one?
    There's virtually no difference in what they can/can't do.

    Nobody seemed to mind manned aircraft in the sky. There's no difference.

    Keep fap-fapping if it makes you feel good.

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    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    ^A manned aircraft has a pilot with a license on board who checks in and out when he flies.

    Who will be controlling the unmanned aircraft? Do they have to have a license? If it is law enforcement, do they need a court order to spy? How big can the aircraft be? How do you keep them from wrecking into a manned airplane if the person operating it isn't around to see? Will it only be for law inforcement or will there be commercial licenses? Can private eyes and paparazzi use them?

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    Come on you all have visions of airborn telescopes peering in through your bathroom window and hell-fire missiles slamming down in cars crossing a red light,

    Technology is going in this direction, like unmanned trains operating around the world, at first people was weary of the concept now they don't even think about it, there are lots of helpful non threathening non controversial good (cheaper, longer staying power, smaller craft =less pollution aso.) applications for unmanned aircraft (drones) like traffic congestion surveillance, fire surveillance, weather and sea surveillance and research etc. etc. etc.

    Even passenger shuttle transport in the future, we have come to a point where Technology and automation in many areas have a much better safety record than human's will ever be able to reach, areas like air and traffic control for Drones is a simple Issue easily solved.

    Like anything new, people are naturally sceptics and ask questions, and that is a very good thing, as long as it stays relevant and well reasoned so it does not become an unnecessary hindrance for progress.

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    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by larvidchr View Post
    Even passenger shuttle transport in the future, we have come to a point where Technology and automation in many areas have a much better safety record than human's will ever be able to reach...
    Does that mean TSA won't give Freedom Pats (gropes) to little kids and old ladies anymore with this new technology that doesn't light 'em up w/heavy doses of radiation?

    This new technology continues to erode personal dignity, freedoms ect. with every advancing year. That's why those motion pictures of Arnie battling it out with The State of a few years back weren't off the mark.

    Brave. New. World.
    A Deplorable Bitter Clinger

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    Quote Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
    [sic] America under State Control? Supposed to be science fiction but folks...it's here!
    It's been in place for some time now.
    The population just doesn't recognize as such...in their promoted illusional state.


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    Does the right to bear arms include your own private RC aircraft?

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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Does the right to bear arms include your own private RC aircraft?

    And.....shouting fire in a crowded theatre.

    For all you literal constitutional types.

    Simply - bullshitery.

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    Interesting. The MSM has not picked up on this: Seattle Police is/will start using drones.

    Seattle police plan to deploy spy drones

    Published: 26 October, 2012

    Reuters / U.S. Navy / Erik Hildebrandt / Northrop Grumman / Handout

    The rainy skies of Seattle are likely to soon be a whole lot drearier.

    The FAA has approved the local police department to start using surveillance drones for law enforcement, but protesters are making it clear that they're willing to put up a fight.

    The Seattle Police Department displayed a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Thursday that they intend on using soon to monitor criminal activity across the city,
    but opponents of drone use came out in droves to protest the proposed plans.
    The SPD is one of only law enforcement agencies given the go-ahead by the Federal Administration Agency to show officers the ins-and-outs of UAVs, and the department hopes that soon they will be able to save lives and make the city more secure by actually deploying drones across town.

    So far the department has already outlined an operations manual that they hope they’ll have a chance to adhere to soon, describing in detail how they hope to install an unmanned aerial system across the city to help photograph crime scenes, conduct search and rescue missions, monitor traffic accidents and even aid with natural disaster responses. Putting an extra set of police eyes — remote-controlled ones, at that — has put a fair share of Seattle residents ill at ease, though.

    "We are not going to tolerate this in our city. This is unacceptable," anti-drone advocate Emma Kaplan told Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh at Thursday’s unveiling.
    The Seattle Times says another protester in attendance, identified as General Malaise, said, "We don't trust you with the weapons you do have,” let alone new ones that are still being developed.

    According to the paper, Thursday’s community meeting held to identify the public opinion of the program “was taken over by protesters,” leaving McDonagh with only a small chunk of time to talk about his plans.

    The city says they have no intent on using UAVs for any unlawful surveillance purposes, but the bad wrap drones have received as of late — made only worse with military versions of the drones overseas executing as many as hundreds of civilians in recent years — has left Seattle residents saying they have good reason to oppose domestic use.

    Even if unarmed, drones are a cause of big concern for some. The Seattle Police Department says they have every intent “to make reasonable effort to not invade a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy,” and that never will any police drones “supersede the issuance of a warrant when needed.”
    “UAS operators and observers will ensure and will be held accountable for ensuring that operations of the UAS intrude to a minimal extent upon the citizens of Seattle,” the drafted operations manual reads.
    As the technology is still being tested, though, opponents say it’s not clear what the department could be able to get away with.
    "The ways that they say they can use the drones is too broad," ACLU of Washington Deputy Director Jennifer Shaw tells the Seattle Times. "They have a list of different emergencies and then a catchall phrase saying the drones can also be used in other situations if they get permission."
    Even what isn’t outline, she says, could eventually be added.
    "So long as it is a policy, it can be changed. An ordinance cannot be changed at will and is the only way we can be sure there is meaningful input," she said.
    Earlier this month, the Sherriff of Alameda County, California asked the US Department of Homeland Security for as much as $100,000 in funding so he could add a drone to his own department’s arsenal. Sherriff Greg Ahern told NBC News that UAVs are “Very valuable to any tactical officer,” because they could aid in identifying everything from how a suspect is dressed to what avenues of escape are possible.
    Link: Seattle police plan to deploy spy drones — RT

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    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    It's just a matter of time before someone shoots a drone down. Whatever weapon it takes to do that will become popular.

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    When you grant a government more power, be it under the auspices of the Patriot Act or whatever, they never voluntarily give it back.

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    Perhaps they will become a more cost-effective method of preventing illegal immigrants and drug carriers from entering the US. I'm all for that, it is unreal the money currently being spent (unsuccessfully) trying to keep illegals and drug-couriers out of the country.

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    Quote Originally Posted by RickThai View Post
    Perhaps they will become a more cost-effective method of preventing illegal immigrants and drug carriers from entering the US. I'm all for that, it is unreal the money currently being spent (unsuccessfully) trying to keep illegals and drug-couriers out of the country.
    You have valid points on both posts in this thread, Rik.

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    LAPD will start using drones. We all know this is coming and in many cases it can be for the better (and as usual with use of technology, abuse is possible).

    L.A. Sheriff's Department to begin using drones to respond to bomb threats, hostage crises

    L.A. Sheriff's Department to begin using drones to respond to bomb threats, hostage crises - LA Times

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