Sunday, July 22, 2012

Climateer Line of the Day: Predator Drones: "The possibilities are endless." Edition

From Economic Policy Journal:
The Star-Tribune has an important feature out on drones in America. Here are key snippets:

"All the pieces appear to be lining up for the eventual introduction of routine aerial surveillance in American life -- a development that would profoundly change the character of public life in the United States," the American Civil Liberties Union warned in a policy paper on drones last year titled, "Protecting Privacy From Aerial Surveillance."
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"Where aviation was in 1925, that's where we are today with unmanned aerial vehicles," said Al Palmer, director of UND's Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Education and Training. "The possibilities are endless."...
...Unmanned Applications Institute International, which provides training in operating drones, can teach a cop how to use a drone the size of a bathtub toy.

"If you're concerned about it, maybe there's a reason we should be flying over you, right?" said Douglas McDonald, the company's director of special operations and president of a local chapter of the unmanned vehicle trade group....
We've probably all known the creepazoid military/law enforcement wannabe. They came out of the woodwork after 9/11 and dealing with them was just yucky. It's been a while for me but just seeing that in print reminded me of how loathsome the type is.
...Doug has more than 20 years of applied research, planning and development experience focusing on strategic development, unmanned systems, socio-economics and demography. He is a sociologist and holds an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of North Dakota. Doug’s business consulting experience includes assignments in unmanned systems, aerospace, value-added agriculture, information technology, and manufacturing....