Reblogged from freedombytheway:
I warned you months ago that the Drones were coming to a government entity near you.
This week, the FAA is issuing permits to local law enforcement, US Military, universities and federal agencies across the country, granting permission for drones to be used in US airspace. Thanks to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by The Electronic Frontier Foundation, the FAA released this preliminary list:
Arlington Police Deparment, Arlington, TX
California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
City of Herington, KS
City of Houston Police Department
City of North Little Rock, AR Police Department
Cornell University
DARPA
Eastern Gateway Community College, Steubenville, OH
Gadsden Police Department-Narcotics, Gadsden, AL
GA Tech Police Department
GA Tech Research Institute
Kansas State University
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Junction, CO
Miami-Dade County Police Department
Middle Tennessee State University
MS Department of Marine Services
MS State University
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Montgomery County, AL
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA
New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology
New Mexico State University, La Crucus, NM
Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA
Ogden Police Department, Ogden, UT
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange, TX
Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Winter Haven, FL
Seattle Police Department
Texas A & M University, Corpus Christi, TX
Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin, TX
Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
University of Florida, Gainsville, FL
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI
Utal State University, Logan UT
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Washington State Department of Transportation, Olympia, WA
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
US Airforce
US Army
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Energy, Idaho Falls, ID
National Energy Technology, Morgontown, WV
Department of Agriculture-US Forest Service
US Forest Service
US Department of Agriculture
US Navy
NOAA
Drone use by local law enforcement has already begun. In Lakota, ND, Rodney Brossart was arrested by a local swat team, assisted by a Predator Drone, on loan from the DHS, for stealing six cows. (The case hasn’t gone to trial yet, so I don’t know if he’s guilty of cow hustling or not…but that is REALLY BESIDE THE POINT).
Take a close look at that list above. Every one of the entities that is being issued a permit is a taxpayer-supported institution. You can argue the point for firefighting. You can maybe argue the point for agriculture (but couldn’t spotted beetle be spotted just as easily from a helicopter?)
No doubt the universities have all kinds of programs in mind for predator drones, including educating students in the new technology. But it begs the question: Do you trust a 20-year old with a spy camera on campus where your child attends?
There is no doubt in my mind that DHS and local law enforcement will abuse drone technology. Look how well they use other forms of technology control, such as Tasers and airport screening.
What’s the average American to do?
At the local level, demand answers from your local officials about drone use–raise a stink.
At the federal level, demand that our representatives stand up for our 4th Amendment Rights and limit the use of predator drones on American soil against Americans.
The list above is just the beginning…of the end of privacy and FREEDOM
Drone Wars Begin
Who will become America’s First Drone Killing Folk Hero?
Your Treading on U.S. Barack…
BIG MISTAKE
Related articles
- Gov’t Spies in our Skies. FAA Issues Drone Permits. (freedombytheway.com)
- Gov’t Spies in our Skies. FAA Issues Drone Permits. (twighlightslastgleaming.wordpress.com)
