Drone Follies
By Anthony Gregory • Monday March 5, 2012 2:31 PM PDT • 11 Comments
There is increasing concern that government surveillance drones will undermine privacy. Then there is the safety concern: Consider the police drone that crashed into a sheriff’s tank during training.
This really is the kind of state the U.S. has become: One in which there is no real expectation of privacy from the government. First they were used in wars, and then in immigration control, and now in everyday law enforcement. How many drones will fill the American skies a decade from now? Two decades? Will it seem quaint for those of us who remember when law enforcement didn’t rely on such total militarization to chime in, once in a while, hearkening back to simpler days?
One more point: Remember when it was considered paranoid for conspiracy enthusiasts to speak of black helicopters in the sky, monitoring their every move? What do we make of a future in which this seems not to be a delusional fear at all, but reality—and for nearly everyone at all times? There will be less need for the government to target particular people when all are being surveilled. This is the future our political masters look forward to.
Tags: Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Surveillance, The State 
Would you please be able to provide information on why Congress so overwhelmingly passed the Defense Reauthorization bill that enable increased drone activity and opened the Pandora’s Box of allowing the President to make the decision to take out an American citizen for security reasons, completely free of court or lawful constitutional protections.
How could Republicans like Senators McCain and Graham support such profoundly intrusive legislation that cuts at the heart of freedom and the Bill of Rights?
Please explain.
I expect the brown shirts to show up momentarily.
I understand the need for security against terrorism and spying but heck this one boggles the mind and it saddens me for the final shred of freedom that I so heartily worshiped.
I mother was Argentinian and I experienced the shrill paranoia of state directed terrorism against the innocent in the name of stability.
Thank you.
sasdigger | Mar 5, 2012 | Reply
Although i don’t care for the American Civil liberties Union founded by Roger Baldwin who said the goal of the ACLU was Communism, they did issue a 16 page report recently citing the growth of the use of drones and the lack of laws protecting citizens from airborne surveillance.The March 2012 whistleblower publication, One Nation Under Surveillance shows how “big brother is watching, listening and recording its citizens.
Bob Marshall | Mar 5, 2012 | Reply
So what are we going to do?
clay davis | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
An updated quote from Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” from Saruman (who had become a total sellout to the embodiment of evil in his time) to Gandalf who would see the people live free, prosperous lives of their own choosing.
“A new power is rising. Against it the old allies and policies will not avail us at all. There is no hope in Republicans or Tea Partiers. This then is one choice before you, before us. We may join with that Power. It would be wise, Citizen. There is hope that way. Victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for those that aided it. As the Power grows, it’s proved friends will also grow; and the Wise, such as you and I, may, with patience come at last to direct its courses to control it. We can bide our time, we can keep our thoughts in our hearts, WINKING AT EVILS DONE BY THE WAY, but approving the high and ultimate purpose: Control, Rule, Order; all the things that we have so far striven to accomplish, hindered rather than helped by our freedom loving friends. There need not be, there would not be , any real change in our designs, ONLY A CHANGE IN OUR MEANS.”
Winston Smith | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
Republicans, like Democrats, believe in the state thoroughly–warfare, welfare, police statism.
Anthony Gregory | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
Once in power, dictators are quite cavalier about who they murder, killing “friend” and “foe” alike! The anonymous report of a disgruntled associate, an off-hand comment (taken out of context), being at the wrong place at the wrong time, an innocent action, a PERCEPTION of deviation from the (then current) canon was often enough to have one assassinated! Hitler’s “dear, long time friend and collaborator” Ernst Rohm and hundreds of SA members who had put Hitler in power, for example were assassinated by Hitler’s order during what was called “The Night of the Long Knives”. Under such a dictatorship NO ONE would be safe!
Winston Smith | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
While concern about the use of drones in law enforcement (or non-specific governmental surveillance) is appropriate, some thought ought also be given to the appropriate regulation of private un-manned aircraft. A recent story in the New York Times described private commercial applications (real estate advertisements for large properties, ranchers monitoring for predators at night, etc.). What rights should private parties have to photograph or video record your property from above?
Mike Giberson | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
Listen closley.... “Crashed into Sheriff’s tank”? WTF
Why does the Sherrif need a freaking tank anyway? Why does the government think it’s okay to send a drone to peek into your bedroom window? Obama is OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!
Beckey Bachman | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
this is what our world is coming to......
kelly | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
Well said Winston.
Casey | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply
Add to the drone paranoia the fact that the FCC continues to pursue placing the internet “kill switch” and the ability to disrupt ALL wireless communications at will under the Presidents authority. This all scares the daylights out of me!
Tom Hicks | Mar 6, 2012 | Reply