Pressure builds for civilian drone flights in US

yahoo.com ^ | 02/06/2012 | By Joan Lowy

[redreno]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Heads up: Drones are going mainstream.

Civilian cousins of the unmanned military aircraft that have tracked and killed terrorists in the Middle East and Asia are in demand by U.S. police departments, border patrols, power companies, news organizations and others wanting a bird's-eye view that's too impractical or dangerous for conventional planes or helicopters to get.

Along with the enthusiasm, there are qualms.

Drones overhead could invade people's privacy. The government worries they could collide with passenger planes or come crashing down to the ground, concerns that have slowed more widespread adoption of the technology.

[oldbrowser]

What could go wrong?

[Navy Patriot]

Good thing we have no corrupt police in the US to use these to target wistleblowers.

If we get any corruption we can always turn over operation to the UN.

[bunkerhill7]

This is a job for Falconry, Inc.

[TribalPrincess2U]

There is NO damn good reason to have drones over us.

We're not another Afghanistan YET!

[Sacajaweau]

Please....we have a picture of just about every dot on earth. And they would be interested in you WHY??? Maybe your trips to Mexico every three months and your Lamborgini??? And your armed house on 100 acres??

And the shots in the night???

[Truth29]

This will provide a new version of skeet shooting.

[TribalPrincess2U]

And while I’m at it. TAKE the FRICKIN’ TASERS away from the cops.

Let them use their muscle like they use to have to do. Lazy butts.

[Candor7]

What happened to the 5th amendment?

Drones do make decent skeet targets.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sounds like we also need civilian versions of SAM7s.

[School of Rational Thought]

We’re the government and we are here to help you.

The militarization of civil government marches on.

[cpa4you]

I have every confidence that the drones won’t be airborn for very long. I heard they make great sport for target practice. Not that I plan to do anything — I’m just saying what I’m hearing!

[Travis McGee]

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[Jack Hydrazine]

Nappy at the DHS knows that at least half of Americans are (potential) domestic terrorists that need dealing with. The drones can shoot the dog and the terrorists and leave no footprints behind!

[FlyingEagle]

Bad idea.

[AnTiw1]

i was at a rc airplane show where they did dogfighting...planes would trail ribbons and the pursuing plane would try to chop the ribbon of another plane

seems simplicity itself to bring an rc plane alongside one of those drones and press a button to a dedicated servo that

*>CENSORED<*

[KingLudd]

Border patrol? Really? Since when?

[JimSEA]

A hellfire rocket would work wonders on illegal wood burning fireplaces or those ever dangerous lemonade stands.

[Dallas59]

Drones along the border? This is to make sure that “immigrants” crossing into the US aren’t harmed by terrorist Americans./s

[org.whodat]

Cop drones in the us would spend all their time flying over college dorm rooms in the spring and over back fenced private yards.