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."
---
"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....
