“Drones will dominate the skies in the U.S. in 2 1/2 years” according to Chairman Michael McCall (R-TX) of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management. The story from Fox is here.
Much of his opening statement was concentrated on lauding the use of drones in war zones, as well as domestically. He heavily praised the use of drones here at home for a myriad of reasons, including for the war on drugs, border security, and local, state, and federal police use. He stated that there were over 200 active Certificates of Authorization issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to over 100 different entities, such as law enforcement departments and academic institutions, to fly drones domestically. Just since April of this year, that number has increased.
He went on and on of course about the national security of the United States, and the possibility that these drones could fall into the wrong hands, leading to terrorist acts. He discussed the fact that these drones could be used as weapons, to carry explosives, and deliver deadly chemical gasses. His point in this hearing was to chastise the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for not getting ahead of this massive deployment of drones, and build up security for the inevitable blanketing of this country with unmanned areal devices.
What was not mentioned at all was that this coming onslaught of domestic drone use was in any way a violation against our liberty and privacy. Not once in this opening statement did McCall discuss the risks to American citizen’s rights and lives.
Consider that our skies will literally be inundated with many thousands of drones, many armed and capable of total surveillance, operated by the federal government, the military, the police, and by private corporations. Consider that all privacy will end. For those who still worship the very flawed constitution, consider that the 4th Amendment will be a dead letter. In my opinion, that is already the case.
These loathsome politicians will continue to decide how to destroy all freedom, and will never frame the argument so that it concerns only the natural rights of man. Only corruption will prevail so long as the people remain silent!