So much for the Posse Comitatus Act...
Well, of course they’re flying here in the U.S.! How else are the UAV pilots going to learn how to fly them?
Point taken, though. Border Patrol has been using UAV surveillance since well before 9/11.
It's only a matter of time. I've seen articles saying that local police departments can't afford the airplanes to patrol speeders, and the same day other articles on how drones are a cheaper way for police offices to perform non-crime enforcement duties or surveillance. Combining the two is a no brainer and honestly nobody would do anything about it except say "well don't speed and it's not a problem".
But Bush wanted to listen to al-Qaeda phone calls! Remember how Pravda USA went on and on about that? But this is fine and dandy with them.
Several years ago, I had a very peculiar argument with a noob here on FR. There was a blurry photo posted to the thread, people were speculating what sort of aircraft it was, it was a photo shot during the 2008 inauguration if I’m not mistaken.
The profile of it when enlarged clearly had the distinctive, bulbous leading edge on the fuselage of a well-known military drone, the appearance of which has been published numerous times, it was obvious despite the blurring. I said so and was immediately attacked, wild accusations, denials, personal atttacks. Not possible, illegal, can’t be, not flown over CONUS said the caustic noob.
He was lying, it seemed then and it particularly seems now.
I am more concerned about Islamist drones in our skies!
Deranged fellow-citizens will soon realize that inexpensive mini-drones cans be used offensively in a number of ways ranging from spying to physically attacking other people and vulnerable targets.
The public and public safety officials need to distinguish friendly drones (drones defending public and national security) from enemy drones (foreign and domestic)!
The public needs to be educated to report suspicious drone activity to authorities, especially near airports.
(see my tag line)
Won’t be long, and the One will be ordering these things to take out the “infidels” within our borders.