tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post4307803253397585149..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Police use of unmanned spy drones won't expand beyond Houston, yetGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81258080628981083512009-08-12T07:13:29.962-05:002009-08-12T07:13:29.962-05:00You really can't see much detail inside someon...You really can't see much detail inside someones window or backyard at this altitude, unless you are utilizing some type of visual enhancement. You can get FAA waivers to break this restriction, but I assure you the FAA doesn't readily hand them out, and it is often on a case by case basis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-73934757013133409422009-07-30T05:53:35.580-05:002009-07-30T05:53:35.580-05:00You really can't see much detail inside someon...You really can't see much detail inside someones window or backyard at this altitude, unless you are utilizing some type of visual enhancement. You can get FAA waivers to break this restriction, but I assure you the FAA doesn't readily hand them out, and it is often on a case by case basis.<a href="http://www.college-scholarships.com/ssac.htm" rel="nofollow">online degree</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-6275391927028165472009-07-03T23:50:19.070-05:002009-07-03T23:50:19.070-05:00The police have no business with tanks, armored pe...The police have no business with tanks, armored personnel carriers, grenade launchers and now drones.I know people who mount video cameras in homebuilt hobby-type radio controlled airplanes and helicopters and fly them in the Houston area...<a href="http://www.pronto-delivery.com/dallas-courier" rel="nofollow">Dallas Courier Service</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352684818898473978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2549865112711344122009-06-19T09:15:46.456-05:002009-06-19T09:15:46.456-05:00I'm late to this post. The use of unmanned spy...I'm late to this post. The use of unmanned spy drones in Houston or other cities is scary indeed. This is something that would not be requested if the technology/possibility didn't exist. I live in rural Texas and I wonder about the use of manned spy aircraft. There's a constant stream of military aircraft here, training. When the military, surveillance, flies off to Pakistan, for example, they are trained. I'm certain there's surveillance going on in our skies, at least in the name of training. We're sliding further and further to the right. Scary indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-61209619479559450562009-06-18T13:33:44.062-05:002009-06-18T13:33:44.062-05:00Today it's drones, tomorrow it's F-16'...Today it's drones, tomorrow it's F-16's. The cops do not need military hardware to enforce the law and if and when they do, we are in the latter days.Hook Em Hornshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660612847019528535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47483821615952214022009-06-18T11:55:11.714-05:002009-06-18T11:55:11.714-05:00Wowie: let's get some predator drones up ASAP...Wowie: let's get some predator drones up ASAP. We can't only kill innocent civilians and children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Let's go get suspicious folks at home too. (Maybe we could be safe from attack if we just killed EVERYONE in the USA! But we're too weak and cowardly. That must be it. Sure!)<br /><br />Whose wet dream was this little piece of brilliance anyway?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42855664740118798982009-06-18T11:09:24.758-05:002009-06-18T11:09:24.758-05:00Check out this video about the new Dutch drones th...Check out this video about the new Dutch drones that fly over neighborhoods to detect heat from marijuana-growing lamps and can "smell" the pot (the video is a little snarky video but the drones are very interesting): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30477632#30477632Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-31007873204143632602009-06-18T10:55:35.778-05:002009-06-18T10:55:35.778-05:00"You really can't see much detail inside ..."You really can't see much detail inside someones window or backyard at this altitude, unless you are utilizing some type of visual enhancement."<br /><br />If these are the same drones that the Military uses, they in fact DO have visually enhanced optics. The drones them selves are about the size of a Cessna, and with the latest version of software and optics it cannot only see that you are smoking a cigarette from 1000 feet, but can read the 'MARLBORO' stamped on it. <br /><br />It is a truly sorry day when the founding fathers thoughts are brought out in the negative.<br /><br />"When governments fear the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny."<br />— Thomas JeffersonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62841518388189597352009-06-18T09:06:41.827-05:002009-06-18T09:06:41.827-05:00Well, I know that as VFR flight rules go, you aren...Well, I know that as VFR flight rules go, you aren't allowed to fly any lower than 1,000 ft AGL over populated areas. You really can't see much detail inside someones window or backyard at this altitude, unless you are utilizing some type of visual enhancement. You can get FAA waivers to break this restriction, but I assure you the FAA doesn't readily hand them out, and it is often on a case by case basis. On top of that, if you are doing some type of extremely low altitude work (like spraying for mosquitoes) that breaks below altitude restrictions over a populated area, you have to utilize at least a twin-engine aircraft.dirty harrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26695532628702782112009-06-18T08:55:38.070-05:002009-06-18T08:55:38.070-05:00Constitutional worries aside for the moment, Am I ...Constitutional worries aside for the moment, Am I the only person who finds this whole idea a little too Orwellian? Are we really having a conversation about unmanned spy drones hovering around our neighborhoods without someone in the room jumping up and yelling, "now wait just a damned minute!" ?A.H. Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768243922731247679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-76435414144615614312009-06-18T08:42:30.534-05:002009-06-18T08:42:30.534-05:00Good point, Soronel. But I do think these take sur...Good point, Soronel. But I do think these take surveillance to the next level, with zooming high-res cameras and literally no other purpose but peeping into private spaces. Helicopters are klunkly, loud, and mostly used for transportation, not surveillance. Spy satellites may be the better comparison.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39786298579170859402009-06-18T08:01:09.651-05:002009-06-18T08:01:09.651-05:00As for the RC toys, it would not surprise me if th...As for the RC toys, it would not surprise me if there is an exemption for aircraft flying under a limit like 250 or 500' and within a certain radius of the operator. The FAA is not exactly known to quickly change its mind that something is actually safe, which given the stakes is probably a good thing.Soronel Haetirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639906179427371695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34770251993255155572009-06-18T07:58:04.567-05:002009-06-18T07:58:04.567-05:00Given that the same issues have come up wrt helico...Given that the same issues have come up wrt helicopters I doubt that such aircraft would run into much in the way of 4th amendment problems. Aerial survielance has already been thrashed out and I doubt the platform matters all that much.Soronel Haetirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639906179427371695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42803381950816165972009-06-18T07:31:42.447-05:002009-06-18T07:31:42.447-05:00Ah yes. Thanks, Grits. But, I wonder if the ques...Ah yes. Thanks, Grits. But, I wonder if the question will come up regarding what government entity is utilizing the spy drones. For instance, we all know the rules regarding search, seizure, and Miranda rights. However, these rules don't apply on public school grounds, which is a local government entity.dirty harrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34779226058182886692009-06-18T06:47:10.367-05:002009-06-18T06:47:10.367-05:00"What's the difference?"
The Fourth..."What's the difference?"<br /><br />The Fourth Amendment restricts the actions of government, not private individuals.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47392180115027101962009-06-18T05:46:45.064-05:002009-06-18T05:46:45.064-05:00I kind of like the idea. They could outfit them wi...I kind of like the idea. They could outfit them with tasers, track down and target all those guilty of traffic offenses. <br /><br />Give them a couple of good zappings. Save those constables the trouble.<br /><br />Sounds like a win win to me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-45324149529531556962009-06-18T01:31:26.834-05:002009-06-18T01:31:26.834-05:00remember when this kind of activity on the part of...remember when this kind of activity on the part of law enforcement was the fodder of outrageous conspiracy theories? well lookee here.. it's today's reality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28917538333668478042009-06-18T01:31:05.480-05:002009-06-18T01:31:05.480-05:00I find the position of the FAA on this interesting...I find the position of the FAA on this interesting. I know people who mount video cameras in homebuilt hobby-type radio controlled airplanes and helicopters and fly them in the Houston area. I know the FAA doesn't require any licensing or oversight of these R/C aircraft. What's the difference?dirty harrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10272822864423076032009-06-17T22:52:59.220-05:002009-06-17T22:52:59.220-05:00"At least some of this was used against the p..."At least some of this was used against the polygamists in West Texas."<br /><br /><br />Screw the poygamists.. you old enough to remember Waco? Cops and Feds in Bradley Fighting vehicles, the old Engineer tanks (which by the way had an incredible 155mm main gun), M113's ... Yeah, yeah, they had ak 47's (The cultists) but ak's are no match for a Bradley or a converted M-60 Patton MBT...<br /><br />I believe that a 408 round in the optics might just take care of the drones, but you gotta catch them on the lens side...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-15236237643412095242009-06-17T22:39:48.474-05:002009-06-17T22:39:48.474-05:00This is more of the militarization of American law...This is more of the militarization of American law enforcement. The police have no business with tanks, armored personnel carriers, grenade launchers and now drones. At least some of this was used against the polygamists in West Texas.<br /><br />In addition to the obvious physical danger of cops using military hardware in civil settings, the psychological, us against them, ideology just gets worse. <br /><br />This is bad, very bad.Hook Em Hornshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660612847019528535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2527396069576180022009-06-17T22:34:52.637-05:002009-06-17T22:34:52.637-05:00Since when did we allow military hardware to be us...Since when did we allow military hardware to be used against civilian personnel INSIDE the US? I never thought I would see the day when military tech was used against our own population... <br /><br />So, first it is simple unmanned drones, then we see the predator drones with the hellfires on them next year!?!?!?! Good god people what have we allowed this stupid state to do to us... <br /><br />Why not just let the morons buy some apache platforms so they can mow us down in our yards...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-82596179052189497932009-06-17T22:06:36.235-05:002009-06-17T22:06:36.235-05:00Oh hell, why not fly one of these drones over Alas...Oh hell, why not fly one of these drones over Alaska to see what ole' Sara's doing lately, with whom and with what...sure she'd love that... I know Letterman would.Letterman Fannoreply@blogger.com