"...Oil companies want them to monitor pipelines. Environmentalists want them to count sea lions on remote islands. Farmers want them to fly over crops with sensors that can detect which fields are wet and which need watering. They're already being used to help fight forest fires. And the list goes on."---Fine and good, but they should not be used by police and any evidence that they are doing so should be a violation. We do not need a police state!
My concern is eventually they will begin to use drones with weapons mounted on them claiming it will save the lives of police officers. The problem will be the same as in Pakistan, where innocent civilians are often mistaken for terrorists.
@Gwrigley, The problem you express as "eventually" is NOW. Congress has already authorized the usurpation / evisceration of over half of the Bill of Rights with the 2012 NDAA. President Obama already assassinated U.S. Citizens without due process, without charge, without trial, without access to an attorney, without the Constitutionally-guaranteed right to confront one's accusers.
"...innocent civilians are often mistaken for terrorists?" Under the Constitution, ALL are innocent until proven guilty. Drones with weapons have no place over American skies.
How about concern for AIRSPACE SAFETY. I do not want to fly on airlines with all of these drones filling the skies. Just wait until the first airliner crashes due to a drone midair...SAFETY, SAFETY SAFETY FIRST!
"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." - Frederick Douglass, civil rights activist, Aug. 4, 1857
Translation: The level of tyranny a government will inflict upon the population is equal to the amount of tyranny people are willing to accept.
If you don't think giving the "authorities" drones for domestic law enforcement, then stand up and protest it. Doing nothing is giving a green light to government to do whatever they want. Wake up or enjoy being a zombie.
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"...innocent civilians are often mistaken for terrorists?" Under the Constitution, ALL are innocent until proven guilty. Drones with weapons have no place over American skies.
- Frederick Douglass, civil rights activist, Aug. 4, 1857
Translation: The level of tyranny a government will inflict upon the population is equal to the amount of tyranny people are willing to accept.
If you don't think giving the "authorities" drones for domestic law enforcement, then stand up and protest it. Doing nothing is giving a green light to government to do whatever they want. Wake up or enjoy being a zombie.
Beware America, they're coming for YOU!
may I refer you to ...George Orwell's 1984, or Animal Farm