Drones over America

[deckeda]

I think we shouldn't allow things that might harm us (drones), but do allow things that do harm us (easy access to guns).

Makes perfect sense.

[max]

Uncle Wig wrote:
[quote=Ted King]
I don't have a problem with police using unweaponized drones to help them find someone who is lost or there is probable cause to think someone has committed a crime and they are trying to find or track them. I do have a problem with using drones for general surveillance of the general public - just snooping around all over the place - and I definitely don't like the idea of using weaponized drones in non-military situations (and I think they are way overused as assassination devices well away from active combat).

I agree with this. Not unlike red-light cameras: drivers who want to run red lights complain endlessly that it's an invasion of privacy (har har har) or a money-grab. To the latter I'd say it depends on how much or little corruption exists in your locality. The use of drones isn't an inherently bad thing, but they are certainly very prone to misuse. Sure, "we are here to help you" is the foot in the door.
And weaponization may not happen for a long time.
But the big expansion will happen when they will find a way to make money off them.
Automating citation generation will provide all the incentive the government parasites need.
"It is for the children."
"It is for your own protection."
"Our drones are to help you."
Or to paraphrase Uncle Wig, "what do you have to hide, eh?"....

[davemchine]

Without regulation drones could be used for many illegal purposes. We've all seen enough of the history channel to know giving power to a group without also giving them limitations and oversight leads to bad consequences. Putting the Genie back in the bottle is very difficult. It is better to be pro-active now and make sure there are laws in place that protect us.

This is a topic that is really easy to wander away into sub-topics. That's cool but try to keep the focus of this thread about drones and about how to voice an effective protest. I appreciate the idea of checking with the ACLU. I will do that.

[davemchine]

I found the ACLU page regarding domestic drones. It covers many of the topics discussed here. Even if we don't agree with the opinions expressed on the ACLU page I do think it has a wealth of information to educate us on the topic. I'm still not seeing a way to directly and effectively protest. I will explore the website further tonight when I have more time.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/domestic-drones

[gabester]

davemchine wrote:
What [is the] most effective method of protesting [drone] use?

I suspect these will see more production and refinements than 3D-printed guns when Obama collects all your old-school firearms!

And even if technical limitations prevent those from working I suspect that, just as much as human pilots, drones will be susceptible to having their sensor systems damaged or their control communications tampered with. If their use becomes truly widespread and noxious, countermeasures that won't be that difficult to put in place will be developed.
g=

[RgrF]

bfd wrote:
Besides the fact that one has a pilot who's actually in the air, what's the difference between police and sheriff helicopters buzzing our neighborhood and drones doing the same thing?

If a police helicopter sidled up to your living room or office window with the intent of eavesdropping, you might just notice it there. Not so much with a miniaturized drone.

[davester]

davemchine wrote:
Without regulation drones could be used for many illegal purposes.

Think about that sentence.

[davemchine]

In the end I did decide to go the ACLU route. It's not as focused on the topic I brought up but through the discussion in this thread I think it is the best option available for my purposes. Thank you everyone who offered constructive help. I think it was a good discussion.

[Acer]

davemchine wrote: Thank you everyone who offered constructive help. I think it was a good discussion.

Dogs and cats sleeping together!

[SteveG]

Didn't I see something about drones making supermarket deliveries?