Drones in America | Domination by 2015

• Posted July 22, 2012

It’s getting to be that time…Drones in America!

Of course, that time has long since passed. The FAA has already granted hundreds of Certificates of Authorization to fly drones domestically in the United States. However, there is another ‘time’ that we can look forward. That is a time in which domestic drone use becomes part of the public discourse. This is a time that can’t come soon enough. Unfortunately, MOST Americans have no knowledge of drone use in our own skies. So it’s up to you to spread the word and make it an issue.

Certified launcher map | red=active blue=expired yellow=disapproved

Luckily, there are a few people in government who are making ‘Drones in America’ an issue. Just last week, Representative Michael McCaul from Texas held a hearing to address the problems surrounding the Unmanned Aerial Systems. The July 19 hearing was titled “Using Unmanned Aerial Systems Within the Homeland: Security Game Changer?”

In it, he pointed out the advantages of drones. Military operations, infrastructure inspection, first responders, border patrol, flood actions, etc. have all benefited from the use of drones.

Then Rep. McCaul touched on the disadvantges.

• Drones in america are projected to dominate the skies in 2.5 short years.
• Drones in America could easily be armed with chemical and biological weapons.
• No federal agency has stepped in to take responsibility.
• Basic liberties could be easily violated through unwarranted spying and surveillance.

Domestic drone use is full of a myriad of problems. We need to push these problems to the forefront and ensure people’s freedom is the number one priority. In the wrong hands, the technology has unimaginable consequences. Well maybe not unimaginable….probably similar to George Orwell’s 1984…. you will always be watched.

You may steal this idea for 10% of profits

OK, OK, I know you are all excited for that pay-per-view beach drone service…. or your drone lunch delivery…but focus. Instead of your peep show, think of the armed drone shooting at you.

THE TIME IS NOW

Aside from Rep. McCaul, there are several others talking about drones in America. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (who also attended FreedomFest) introduced S. 3287 on June 12, 2012. The bill is titled “Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012.” It would protect individual privacy and force police to get a warrant before using drones for surveillance.

Also, on the local level, Virginia Delegate Todd Gilbert has plans to protect individual liberty by fighting the unregulated drones as well.  Gilbert’s main concerns are:

• to prohibit use without a warrant
• ensuring legislative oversight
• provide public monitoring
• mandate the destruction of photos unless used in an investigation.

black helicopter…drone….whatever

As we enter this brave new world, we need to be cognizant of the police state that can rapidly take over. Tell your friends about the REAL issue of drones in America. Procinctu has used this line before, but it bears repeating. We used to dismiss the ‘black helicopter’ conspiracy theorist, but it turns out they were right all along. Only the ‘helicopter’ is called a ‘drone.’