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Subscribe to RSSCharlottesville, Va., has become the first city in the country to pass a resolution restricting the use of drones, local media reported.
The Charlottesville City Council on Monday night rebuffed an attempt to totally ban unmanned aircraft in the city’s airspace, according to U.S. News & World Report, and instead passed a resolution that pledges that the city will not use information obtained by drones in court.
Local activist David Swanson and The Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group, brought the resolution to council members, saying it would lead to a surveillance society as depicted in George Orwell’s "1984" with its ubiquitous “Big Brother.”
"Drones will spy on us without our permission in violation of our constitutional rights under the 4th Amendment," Swanson said, according to WDIV-TV.
The resolution was narrowly passed 3-2. One of the measure’s opponents, Councilwoman Kristin Szakos, said she thought the vote was premature and that there were positive uses for drones.
Unmanned aircraft, or drones, are widely used by the U.S. military for reconnaissance and even to kill terror leaders. Their use domestically has become controversial over privacy concerns.
The FAA has issued permits to 358 public institutions – including 14 universities and colleges – to fly unmanned aircraft. Those permits are primarily for research and to monitor border activity. To date, the FAA has rejected requests by police departments who want to use them to survey crime-infested areas.
The University of Virginia in Charlotte does not currently have an FAA permit to operate drones, according to U.S. News and World Report.
In a statement, John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, said he hoped other local governments would follow suit.
“As with other weapons of war which have become routine weapons of compliance domestically, such as tasers and sound cannons, once drones are unleashed on the American people, there will be no limiting their use by government agencies,” Whitehead said in a statement.
Related:
Legal experts fear implications of White House drone memo
Justice Department memo reveals legal case for drone strikes on Americans
Anticipating domestic boom, colleges rev up drone piloting programs
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Nothing the government can fly over my house could drone worse than my wife!!
But that's your problem, not the American Publics problem. Drones have no business over our skys for surveillance purposes.
Look at all the damage already done to the country by the drones in Washington DC.
Now fly a few drones over Charlottesville and you can see how many AR-15's there are per square mile. I bets alot and it would be shock and awe towards the sky. Thems is good ole boys........
Seven2 -
Hadn't thought of that.
I can see the trap/skeet clubs taking a hit over this one.
Championship round will be on July 4th weekend.
Eventually, especially Police and Sheriff's personnel will want 'em, get 'em, and use 'em. Makes sense too. Already have camera's and sensors everywhere. Drones will widen the scope, likely, at a cheaper cost. Course, when this happens, there will be certain people who will want, and will obtain shoulder fired missile launchers, and will, least now and then, shoot the drones down. Nothing about any of this is real pretty and could lead to a back and forth between the drones and those launching the missiles. One thing always leads to another, and not always for the better.
Mac Forrester---I was amazed when I rad an article about drones and the FAA gave the Sates the right to fly these things around the cities across the country. I can see accident after accident, midair collisions all over the place. The FAA has enough to handle now. The real kicker is that they will use these things to do what? Maybe traffic tickets to pay for the drones? Another way to throw our tax dollars away.
Already here, Mac. Google "sherriff's department has drones."
It will be a toss-up between the marksmen and the techies to see who brings down the first/most.
I have never had any expectation of privacy when wandering around in public. The Charlottesville city council has a habit of considering things not within their purview. Now then, If I am in my back yard, the courts would probably need a warrant to use any surveillance. I'd suggest the city council take care of the Belmont bridge, the infamous US 29 bypass and several other things like traffic refinement.
"Drone Free Zones" what will they think of next...I seriously want one of my own now, since 30,000 are supposed to be in the air, not sure how many they plan to arm! Good for Charlottesville, Va.. It's about time Va. did something, said something... Drones falling out the skies killing people...How about drone highways for the populace to use as transportation instead, like the Jetson's... Talk about biting the hand that feeds you" there is no hand left, chewing on the bone and marrow and core instead...
I would like to see all states pass such laws that strictly limit drones by requiring search warrants for such flights and limiting surveillance specifically to the area specified in the warrant and defining exactly what they are looking for and the length of the flight. Additional flights will require additional warrants.
Additionaly, drones flying over american soil for domestic surveillance purposes can never be armed.
Thanks, :)
Well, now we know why they want to take away rifles.
DRONE ON! ....
Then the Dems can just target GOP homes and make America in to a socialist country like they really want!
What a stupid.
Way to go Charlottesville! Let every American town, city, and county do this. Let each locale declare a "no fly zone" for these unmanned things.
Meanwhile, everyone brush up on your skeet shooting....
Mimi-would love to see a pic of you with your first trophy. :)
Seven2Seven: "Seven2SevenNow fly a few drones over Charlottesville and you can see how many AR-15's there are per square mile. I bets alot and it would be shock and awe towards the sky. Thems is good ole boys......."
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess you don't spend much time in the actual City of Charlottesville, aka Moscow on the Rivanna.
(Get out into the surrounding counties and you'd be right, though. And we do have a nice shooting club here.)
Black Helicopters now Drones. There coming to get you! Paranoia runs deep in a challenged mind.
Try looking up once in awhile there Smitty, if your conditioning allows it. You might see something to change your mind
bow2me, the headline says Virginia city, not Virginia City. Know the difference.
There's not much difference between killing a suspected American terrorist and a suspected American felon. Judge, jury and executioner all in the hands of a few people. Our constitution is under attack from within our borders and it must stop now! Stand up sheeple, get a pair of American cojones and defend out rights!
Funny how drones are considered intrusive and big brother when we welcome strangers in our neighborhood with cameras photographing everything they can and we find it very useful if Apple or Google uses it. Also if you want to know who is in the back yard skinny dipping in your pool you may find them coincidentally with the Google Satellite view. But god forbid drones!
Are they going to try to ban police helicopters next? They have camera's to and are operated by people the same as drones are. The only difference is where the people sit. Maybe we should ban cameras in police cars to. There really isn't much difference.
I think people need to weight carefully what technology they are willing to permit to be used in certain areas. Though all range in their uses, with potential for misuse,some can pose critical life changing alterations, far removed from original designs. Airplanes would be one, which became weapons of war.
Drones certainly can provide lots of information.But drones also come in many different colours.From just information gathering, to death delivery systems.While certainly no one is saying the government is planning on attacking people down the road, the potential is there for crowd control, invasion of privacy issues, and abuse. At least until laws are in place to protect. And those laws only end up because of abuse and court cases leading to their establishment because of violations. This is one area much thought, input and consideration needs to be given from all parties.
"This is one area much thought, input and consideration needs to be given from all parties". Well I guess we are screwed then. Hope the First Lady of the Vine is well. :)
Not much different than using surveillance cameras on street corners.
Street Corner Cameras do not fly over my home, yard, and street. Nor yours.
Drones will and already are. Mapping has been in progress for some time to develop the grid for instant implementation, despite the bantor that those in charge not do so until approved.
And now that they are already being 'approved' Nationwide, the grid coordinates are all set for use.
Happy Nude Backyard Sunbathing! Or anything. I guess the privacy fences we have are now worthless...
I just read this letter from a few US senators to Obama. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/interactive/2013/02/05/letter-from-senators-on-drone-authority/
The only purpose I can currently see for the use of drones in the US would be to patrol our borders and take aim at anyone caught crossing the border illegally (not crossing at the proper entry points-legally). Big Brother is definitely watching (and listening) way too much all ready. This is just one more item for their use in keeping tabs on what the public is doing/saying. One more item in their arsenal for total control of us.
Brother is right
Wise post, notsojingo-it is good to see your input. Hope all is well.
Hi stonepipe2, delighted seeing you! Hope you are doing well.Always appreciate your insights.
Mr. Binkie-(Not much different than using surveillance cameras on street corners.)
Checkout my 6.3 comment, and you will see, common surveillance cameras don't come with such incredible capabilities as drones do. Not to mention, along with the White memo, based on highly secret memos that were just discovered in existence, our President refuses to turn over to Congress copies so they can see the legality of such actions.Which allows Americans to be killed. Including using drones, without intelligence showing they belong to any terrorist group, or related group,without proof of planning or committing acts.
So,drones can be used against Americans for any purpose the government deems it chooses.Since an American could pose a possible threat to this nation, and disappear one day. No questions asked.How does that sound? The executive branch has claimed this power to expand over every American, to protect the whole nation from any threat to it. A good reason for people to get active and help keep drones out of the air.
The world has shifted since 9/11. People may not have noticed,we are being groomed constantly to live in fear, anxious. Drones are the next practical step in the evolution. To promise the illusion of security but loss of liberties and freedoms.Those who trade freedom for more security deserve neither. Thomas Jefferson.
Good morning, WDS. Went out to eat, had a couple cocktails, wife wanted to watch a show so I had the bright idea of reading a book in bed. Fell asleep about 8:30 and now wide awake reading the news and my favorite, the comments. Love your insight, went to your "home page" why are you not in congress and leading us out of this mess? Anyway, my highest regards, take care.
Stonepipe2
I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I stayed out of running for political offices for a very good reason. I learned a long time ago, if I give my word, I must keep it and it is better to change the world, by tackling local problems, then hoping some law in Congress will do it for you. Though being active to help enact, or change laws is needful.
Hats off to Charlottesville, Va. leadership. The use of drone's will be pushed by manufacture's and lobbyist similar to the way the NRA misinterprets laws and forgets about laws it endorsed. It will most likely be abused every where they are legal by the good intentions of politicians and law enforcement.
Charlottesville is a small town , home to a large CIA training Facility.
Dang, I thought it was just a radar trap catching through traffic up the coast. I rescind my comment.
Yank...It is about 160 miles from the coast.
Brilliant Observation, Tag!!
PDF]
The Evolving Relationship - Central Intelligence Agency
https://www.cia.gov/.../center.../IntelandPolicyRelationship_Int...https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/IntelandPolicyRelationship_Internet.pdf+CIA+training+Facility+Charlottesville,+VA&sa=X&ei=b70RUevlAoTg8ASArYGIDg&ved=0CFQQHzAC">SimilarShare
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/IntelandPolicyRelationship_Internet.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiahAlma4e44vuRXsqUZB1Z_fqoRTdIad1Aeg1GEPTmDvK_4fjbRKQYPTo71GdgmJb_yA6jprUcMfcG23smjB4gIDRJF77QfOaDJa-gaoop12KgHIKv1J7bMk7oa8YBG-8ywT9Z&sig=AHIEtbRn2i9JsDlhsU75K2WfG07XhR_Wbw" class="fl">Quick View
Now isn't that interesting?! And Convenient.
@Tag - actually the CIA training facility is at Camp Perry, in James City County, not far from the College of William and Mary, not Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia. Airspace is and always has been restricted over Camp Perry, and it's an "secret" that's pretty much known among the locals. While there might well be something in C'ville, the BIG training camp is near Williamsburg.
Camp Peary, aka The Farm
https://productforums.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!msg/gec-military/u3m6K4xVqQg/5c0tPccVn8wJ
Uh oh....no more nude sunbathing there for the spy students.....
Everybody wants a drone. FBI, state and local police. I'm sure the DEA has a few by now too. Stop the madness. We alrady have warrantless electronic eavesdropping. New world order. We will be nothing more than working drones.
At which point the government can issue a "mission accomplished" memo.
BTW - local law enforcement already has these. Google sherriffs have drones. More than a few cities.
The Bottom Line? What the Evil Rich and their Corporations can get away with garnering America's economy as quickly and AS Much As Possible....Example: Here in Orange Count, California, gas is AGAIN going up and past the $4.00P/G mark; as the crude extracted by the oil corporations is originally property of the US Taxpayers. law enforcement, 'to serve and protect"? get a look at the video of florida cops TOTALLY Ignoring an Emergency call to help a citizen. As long as special services such as drones are put in the hands of these individuals and corporations and departments, the rights of American citizens will be infringed upon.
Since they're both piloted remotely, I wonder if there is a legal distinction between a "drone" and a radio-controlled aircraft such as you can buy in a hobby shop. I want a drone of my own!
Bet on there being different. Altitude capabilities, likely. I don't think you need an FAA license to fly radio- controlled planes in most places.
They also have drones that take off and fly on a prescribed course run by a computer. Totally hands off. they can fly over a certain area or hover. The liberal sheep just keep on bleating and we will end up with king ovomit.
Yes there is geezer. A drone is controlled autonomously by computers on board, or remotely by a person in another vehicle in the air or on the ground. It can either gather information through various methods, or deliver a bomb or supplies. Currently, drones are used in many forms. By the military for information-bombing; for search and rescue; scientific research; conservation; transport;gas,oil, and mineral exploration and production;forest fire detection; commercial aerial surveillance; and remote sensing.
It's important to realize, they can gather information in many ways.including electromagnetic spectrum sensors like wave detectors such as microwave and ultraviolet; light spectrum from gamma ray to ultraviolet including visual;infrared cameras as well as radar systems. Biological and chemicals; Biological sensors are capable of detecting airborne presence of various microorganisms and other biological factors.Chemical sensors use laser spectroscopy to analyze the concentrations of each element in the air.
While your hobby shop airplane remotely controlled by radio, is simply a model that you can fly and land, as long as it stays within radio reach. It isn't designed to gather any information on conditions on the environment.
For us here in the United States, the use of drones, with all of their technological advances, really brings the concept of privacy issues to a whole new level.While used to kill terrorists in military operations overseas, they have also caused Congress to demand the White House provide the memos giving the legality and justification for their use against Americans. Especially when intelligence shows there is virtually no evidence of any actions,planning or history of terrorism. This is vital, because one of those, included a 16 year old boy killed by a drone while he ate a meal in a cafe. Simply because his father, another American killed three weeks earlier, had spoken out against America, that was his only actions. The boy went to visit family. So I guess we kill people now for thinking un-American. Obama has refused so far. But it may come to a head, as he faces a meeting later this month, to answer questions concerning these highly classified documents, which only now have come to light.
RC models are limited to line of sight from the controller on the ground. People do put cameras in them but that's to get a "plane's-eye-view" video of the flight, not to observe anything on the ground. Also, the FAA does regulate RC model aircraft, there are limits on weight, propulsion system, altitude, and where they can and can't be flown.
weather control, the damned things are for weather control, get used to them
Let's apply the same law to all cameras. If a policeman does not see you rob a bank, it did not happen.
Let's apply the same logic to bullets for police also - as without bullets, the police won't be acting as judge, jury, and executioners.
Let's apply the same logic for automobiles also. The federal and state constitution did not give law enforcement the authority to use automobiles.
When does the stupidity end?
tell me where the police are authorized to use military tactics & vehicles in the constitution. b/c they do. they intimidate the public rather than police the public. we make the police a civilian agency again, as opposed to quasi military, and we are on the right path
The "stupidity" will end when all the good sheep have forgotten about those pesky freedoms they once had.
BTW - do you think armed drones won't follow the surveillance drones? Read the "white paper" the white house put out?
Interested -
Do you really not see the difference between a CCTV camera at an interesection or in a bank, and one that can stay over your neighborhood full time? I guess you wouldn't mind cameras in each room of your home?
Did you really just put that dog poop into an un-approved-by-the-EPA container?
My roof is rather difficult to see through. When in public, do you pick your nose? Scratch your butt? Then people can see you.
Not talking about "in public," Woodsy. In my back yard with six-foot fence, and trees, I feel I should be able to scratch my butt or pick my nose without video surveillance.
hoosier, they always saw themselves as apart, & us as "civilians". It's only been intensified in recent times as they increasingly serve & protect the interests of people other than whom they are policing in many areas. The line between us & them is being exaggerated so they will be easier to militarize
We as free citizens need to protect our sovereignty and stock pile these new drones. Our forefathers would agree that we have a right to bear drones and assassinate those that would deprive us of our liberties.
Or you could get dictionary and look up the difference between a drone and "arms." The drone could be armed, but your screed is lame at best.
mpa-4893349
Or you could get dictionary and look up the difference between a drone and "arms." The drone could be armed, but your screed is lame at best.
I could tell by your ineffectual plop of a reply, that you are a conservative. You would probably deny that and say you are an independent or libertarian as well. Don't waste your time judging me I make more than you and have more guns.
Even more lame!
Assumptions, assumptions.
Hilarious.
Scalia was at the Constitutional Convention and he definitely heard the Founding Fathers discuss the use of drones....................of course, back then they called them kites !
Ah...so its "we won't use information gained by unmanned drones in court", but not "we will ban unmanned drones in our airspace".
Which means
"WE won't let drone info convict people...but we will allow drones that can KILL people from the air."
WTG, idiots. WTG.
so send one at once to Chicago and get rid of those terrorists in there ? right? done!
Yeah, I didn't see this as a great win for the People.
Most will not question what they read. Reading between the lines is becomming a lost art, and learning from history has compltely died out.
Learning from history our governemnt reads between the lines to insure what ever they deem is required they will do and have some way to say it OK. NSA tapping phone lines with the telco companies is a prime example of this.
CCTV monitors your activity at street level (Chicago has 35,000 of them)
NSA monitors your communications(telephonic and via computer)
Drones will monitor your activity from the sky
Tethered blimps will direct the drones
Universal registration will determinewho's armed
DHS will use its alleged stockpilke of weapons and bullets to deal with "insurrection" and it's "camps" to house
As the old Marvin Gay song assked: "What's going on?"
I was waiting for the "if you aren't doing anything illegal, then it shouldn't bother you" crowd to weigh in.
A glimpse into the future? A drone spies suspicious activity, flies in low broadcasting " stop, put your hands on your head and lie on the ground face down" "Alleged suspect runs, pulls what the drone perceives as a weapon", at which point the ($1.2 million) drone opens fire.... Killing a scared to death 16 year old deaf student trying to text his mom. and don't think for one minute that scenario could not happen.
I think we need to be very cautious traveling down this road is all I am saying.
I always envisioned robot cops when I was a kid.. Ala Robocop, I didn't see the aerial police arriving first, got me by surprise.
what has to be understood is that they are taking all these actions to better control & monitor us for a reason, they expect trouble, & lots of it. The government is failing in its mission to serve & protect the people & knows the people will rebel sooner or later
It's happening- we're watching this unfold right before our eyes. Our freedoms are being attacked from every angle.
The people that voted to keep drones out of the sky are some of the "Smartest People Around". I thank you for your common sense and the wise use of tax dollars for other things. Feed and cloth the poor and those that need help. We don't need to complicate things any more than they already are.
I just hope all of the other cities will do the same.
Thank You!!!
Your post would be great if that had been what they did. They DIDN'T keep any drones out of the sky just promised not to use the evidence in court.
No money saved, no money better spent.
Sigh.
You think the Feds or the Military won't fly a drone over you when ever they darn well please just cause your little po'dunk town makes a vote on it? Wake up.
We used to say You can sleep tonight your Air Force is awake. Too Much technoligy now days,but are we any safer than when we had our Military awake and guarding our skies..?? Now we have all the idoits shooting, I guess the Gun conrtol People are really enjoying thjis!!!!
If you aren't doing anything wrong, what are you afraid of? This bunch of whimps pledge not to use anything from drones in court. Guess they would rather risk a cop's life. Score one more for the bad guys.
It's Charlottesville, not Charlotte. What would Thomas Jefferson do?
zactly!
because clandestine feds ALWAYS ask local government permission before spying on the populace... does this cover flying kites? how about remote control toys that fly, are you sure that is REALLY a bird? how can you know?
Even Drones in star wars were useless.
The drones that are flown in afghanistan and pakistan are remotely controlled by pilots in arizona. saw a news article on it a while back, but it was somewhere in the states.
Isn't University of Virginia in CHARLOTTESVILLE, not Charlotte?
They can fly a drone over my house any day of the week, I have nothing to hide. The worst they could do is tell me I need a paint job and they would be right.
Google earth already does this for your state, county and local governments. They can see a nat on your arass. Geoeye and other companies with satellites can get what ever is requested of them pretty much.
Your city already used your tax money to install cameras on all the major street corners. And every business and government building has cameras in the ceiling. It is much cheaper than a mini helicopter flying around randomly and gives better coverage with everyone doing the filming like this. If you were going to be paranoid about being watched, you should have been paranoid when that stuff was set up. Also the old lady who lives next door to you still watches and takes note of what you do, where you go, and when you come back better than any artificial means currently on the market.
There are different sizes of drones. The ones Seattle is going to start using because of a federal grant (the police think) are small - look like radar controlled airplanes people fly for fun. They can zoom up to a window and look in, take pictures or whatever and zoom away. They are not the big drones used currently in combat. These little buggers are not armed as of yet but could be. So they won't be interfering with airplanes (unless the jets are flying low between buildings). The are worse than cameras because you don't know where they are going to be at any given time. And I am the old lady who watches you and I'm not armed and I don't care where you go or what you do as long as you leave me alone in peace and quiet!
A new kind of "hunting season" in our future....