Posted on 08/04/2004 5:31:00 PM PDT by SandRat
PHOENIX - A pilot program that uses unmanned aerial drones to monitor illegal activity along the Arizona-Mexico border is gaining momentum, border officials say.
Two Hermes 450 drones, which were launched over Arizona on June 25, use thermal and night-vision equipment to spot illegal immigrants trying to cross the desert into the United States. They can detect movement from 15 miles up, read a license plate, view a vehicle's occupants and even detect weapons. ......
(Excerpt) Read more at svherald.com ...
Be sure to read the "Bleeding Hearts" comment at the end.
Border Ping!
From the headline, I thought this story was about MoveOn.org's emails to its thrall-members.
Thanks for posting this.
More Excerpt: (we're allowed 4 paragraphs, I believe)
Elizabeth Ohmann, secretary and founder of Humane Borders, which has placed more than 50 water stations in the desert to aid illegal immigrants, said the group does not support using the aircraft to monitor the desert.
"It's another step toward militarization of the border," she said. "There are other ways that it could be handled."
Elizabeth, you're an idiot. Putting more eyes on the border will save more lives than your bloody water points. As for militarizing the border, what do you call all the gunfights the Border Patrol have found themselves in? Are we not allowed to protect ourselves as we're protecting our border?
Sheesh. She's either dumber than a rock, or she thinks we are.
Wow and stunning. I've had a lot of experiences with this illegal invasion epidemic and really wonder why people are so incredibly naive and nonchalant about how our nation is being cooked like a frog from forces inside and out.
"The Tucson Sector has apprehended a total of about 10,000 illegal immigrants since June 25."
Which means HOW MANY GOT THROUGH - they're on the streets of border towns whooping it up right now. And Lord forbid you say the wrong thing to a mojado...one firearm for personal protection ain't enough in border towns.
yeah. that last sentence was precious. we should make it more humane by paving trials here made of gold with fountains of tequila all along the way.
if we really wanted to "militarize" the border, these drones
would be Predators capable of dropping some cluster bombs or other ordinance.
Elizabeth Ohmann, secretary and founder of Humane Borders, which has placed more than 50 water stations in the desert to aid illegal immigrants, said the group does not support using the aircraft to monitor the desert.
"It's another step toward militarization of the border," she said. "There are other ways that it could be handled."
By definition an international border should be considered militarized in the face of an invasion. I think that ten thousand illegals apprehended in the Tucson sector since June twenty fifth constitutes an invasion.
"I really wonder why people are so incredibly naive and nonchalant about how our nation is being cooked like a frog from forces inside and out."
you got that right! i do think it's about time the powers-that-be decided to use Glenn Spencer's idea. too bad it's in reality nothing but a show to pacify the people who only know the bare minimum about this issue. 'rah rah rah! the border isnt porous after all. it's all made up!' ;-D our goose is already cooked.
unfortunately no. just video down links.
That lizard should have had five "softball-size" holes in his carcass before the helo departed hover...
"more than 50 water stations in the desert to aid illegal immigrants"
Looks like the makings of a fine orienteering course for those who want to test their compass reading and sharpshooting skills.
She's dumb and just think - she's armed with a VOTE!! For such people as these, 3/5ths of a vote would be far too gracious.
I'd be in favor of putting water stations in the border zone.
In fact, we could install water fountains on the south side of a cement wall stretching all across the us-mexico border.
Amazing how the federal government wants to do the things it wasn't granted the power to do, and wants to avoid doing the thing it's supposed to be doing.
Did you ever wonder about government efficiency and why they appear to have no conception what the word "efficiency" is?
>>It takes 12 to 18 people to operate the drones and monitor images sent back.
The (Hermes 450 drones) waist-high gray drones bearing the Homeland Security Department's seal weigh almost 1,000 pounds, have a 35-foot wingspan and can fly faster than 100 mph. They patrol at 12,000 to 15,000 feet and can stay aloft for 20 hours at a time.<<
I think these drones cost $2 million each. I have no idea what Glenn Spencers drones cost but the cost is nowhere near this and they can be operated by one man.
The Hermes 450 drones efficiency is "In 39 days of surveillance of the border, the drones have led to the apprehension of 248 illegal immigrants, he said."
This is a fantastic 6.3 illegal aliens per day. Cost per hour is ...I have no idea but I know Jackelope Breeder has a better succes rate than this working by himself without a drone!
He listens for them and then calls the Border Patrol and lets the agents do all the capturing, detaining, etc.
I wonder what the "12 to 18 people" could do using JB's tactics. I am positive it would be better than 6.3 per day.
Thanks JB
I think the feds are being forced to tighten the border. Even here in south Texas the BP has captured this week some illegals that swam the Rio Grande. The river is not that wide here but of course, some always drown and that is usually what we hear about. Not capture.
The woman caught in McAllen came from Pakistan, not South Africa.
Some people kept telling me that guarding our border simply can't be done. I refused to believe it. This is America, people! Other nations have guarded vast borders with sharp, pointy sticks. If they can do it and we can't, we should be ashamed of ourselves. FReegards....
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