From the article:
In 2008 and 2010, Harman helped beat back efforts by Homeland Security officials to use imagery from military satellites to help domestic terrorism investigations.

Have there been any prosecutions for domestic terrorism in the United States in the last ten years? I mean, if not then doesn't this seem like overkill?

Oh, wait. Let me guess. I'm being soft on terrorism and I'm not a patriot.

If it really is 2 miles overhead that's worrying because it's out of the range of any weapon an individual is likely to have, or be able to carry.

SockMonkeyHolocaust: It's a good thing that American protestors have started anti-drone measures by creating a culture of white noise and complete ineffectiveness at getting any kind of message out.

As I recall, a decade ago saw a lot of liberals and libertarians fussing about the Patriot Act and other actions they perceived would take us to the road of a police state, loss of personal liberties, yada yada. The public discounted that and willfully and gladly went along with all of it it "keep America safe."

I don't think that crowd is listening anymore or any less these days.

ZAZ: If it really is 2 miles overhead that's worrying because it's out of the range of any weapon an individual is likely to have, or be able to carry.

Naw, a couple hundred people with laser pointers would blind the damned thing, easy as pie. Why do you think the FAA gets all bent out shape when some moron points one at an airplane.

They're targeting white folk now? OUTRAGE

shivashakti: Sure. Look at how they treated the Occupy protesters.

They coordinated a national coalition of police forces to stop the freedom of expression. In many cases, beating peaceful nonviolent protesters.

Now we're using drones on our own citizens? What the hell is going on here?

Progressives making progress.

Pretty soon, we're all going to be micro-chipped and linked to a central computer

Hobodeluxe: shivashakti: Sure. Look at how they treated the Occupy protesters.

They coordinated a national coalition of police forces to stop the freedom of expression. In many cases, beating peaceful nonviolent protesters.

Now we're using drones on our own citizens? What the hell is going on here?

the birth of a fascist police state

And pretty soon, we'll be chanting 'Hail to our Glorious Leader' and those who don't, will be charged as traitors

You think I jest? It's coming.

People in Germany lived through that very scenario

That is my childhood home.

While I have a long list of complaints about the government and the police in particular... How is using a drone any different that using a helicopter? Keep in mind I don't think using a helicopter, especially with hi-tech imaging, is right either.

Hobodeluxe: yeah that PATRIOT act is about as Orwellian piece of legislation as we've ever seen. They promised it would only be used against terrorists. then they started using it for everything. from drug dealers to illegal immigrants to (in this case) missing cows. the 4th and 14th amendments are moot. And soon the rest will fall by the way as a lot of the sheeple cheer their passing.

As Queen Amadala said in Episode III: So this is how democracy dies. With a standing ovation.

SockMonkeyHolocaust: culture of white noise

My new favorite turn of phrase. Also seemingly rare:
Link (new window)

MasterAdkins: While I have a long list of complaints about the government and the police in particular... How is using a drone any different that using a helicopter? Keep in mind I don't think using a helicopter, especially with hi-tech imaging, is right either.

Manpower. It is the same as them attaching a GPS to your vehicle vice following it. Using UAV's cuts down on the expense of tracking thus allowing covert surveilance of vehicles on the cheap.

I imagine the first person to hack one of these and fly it into a school, after hours of course, would raise enough issues to shut this stuf down quick.

Do you know what would be cool?

If they could tie the feeds into Google Earth to give us more updated photos.

Trance750: Pretty soon, we're all going to be micro-chipped and linked to a central computer

considering that my neural structure is essentially a viral intelligence, that might be an exremely bad idea.....

Hobodeluxe: I think the idea we're most concerned with is the militarization of the domestic police forces.

the weird part? it's an issue that the tea party AND the OWS protesters would both agree is a serious problem. But they'll never cooperate on a solution because hey - socialismabortiongaymarriage.

*sigh*

i'm going to just keep stockpiling MREs and pouring over topgraphical maps to plot escape/smuggling routes.

So... the drones are just a little further down the slippery slope. So when does the revolution start?

MasterAdkins: So... the drones are just a little further down the slippery slope. So when does the revolution start?

it won't. not yet anyways. what's left of the middle class still hasn't figured out yet how screwed they are. they've still got a roof over their heads, food on the table and a big screen TV in the living room. nobody's paying attention to the walls moving in a little bit more each year. they put up with 'sobriety checkpoints' and drug tests because hey - it's the law right? they still think all this stuff is 'for their protection'.

They haven't figured out that they can't take their rights back. they haven't figured out yet that the country made a deal with the devil and the bill is coming due.

violentsalvation: [i798.photobucket.com image 640x480]

That is my childhood home.

Yes, we know.

MasterAdkins: So... the drones are just a little further down the slippery slope. So when does the revolution start?

Any possible serious attempt at uprising in this country will find itself ridiculously outgunned and at a severe tactical disadvantage. Of course, that's the idea.

The only tactical advantage the people have to coordinate their efforts is the internet. Why do you think they're trying to pass laws to block "rogue" domains? Why do you think they're trying to make it so that sites like FARK and others are to be held legally responsible for the content that their users post? I'm of the opinion at this point that the authoritarians in our government are circling the wagons, and there are authoritarians in both the Republican and Democratic parties just about equally, and our Executive branch is also compliant with the authoritarians as well. It's getting me really unnerved, I'll tell you that much.

At least the police arent busting down the wrong doors and shooting the family dog right in front of the kids.

Hobodeluxe: GaryPDX: shivashakti: Sure. Look at how they treated the Occupy protesters.

They coordinated a national coalition of police forces to stop the freedom of expression. In many cases, beating peaceful nonviolent protesters.

Now we're using drones on our own citizens? What the hell is going on here?

Progressives making progress.

there's nothing "progressive" or "conservative" about this. this is an assault on everyone's civil liberties in the name of authoritarian fascism.

Here's one just for you. Take a wild guess who insisted on including US Citizens and Lawful Residents in the NDAA Section 1031 new National Defense Act.

Say it isn't so. (new window)

Link (new window)

I saw this take place on my way back from class. There were 40 police cars, not counting the riot stuff vs 15 people. Just 30 yards away, was the 'scary bad neighborhood' that has the crime and the drugs. It is not about stopping crime, I now see.

shivashakti: HARTFORD, I AM DISAPPOINT

This took place at the abandoned lot near Frog Hollow. I mean really.

Hobodeluxe: yeah that PATRIOT act is about as Orwellian piece of legislation as we've ever seen. They promised it would only be used against terrorists. then they started using it for everything. from drug dealers to illegal immigrants to (in this case) missing cows. the 4th and 14th amendments are moot. And soon the rest will fall by the way as a lot of the sheeple cheer their passing.

Hey, teh PATRIOT act .is only being used against terrorists.

It's just that in the last decade, so many more normal people have been deemed terrorists.

We've always been at war with Eurasia, so it's only natural that we would employ these tactics against those who would disrupt the public decorum.