Is the whole drone usage in America blown out of proportion?

The politicians love it when a totally meaningless, yet scary issue comes up. They can play it up for all it’s worth to keep the real issues out of the news.

No, it isn’t even getting the attention it should. And I don’t think they were talking of drone strikes here, but on American citizens in foreign countries. But does that mean it’s okay for us to kill other countries citizens, but not ours? That’s sick. The last story I saw said we had killed over 400 civilains in Pakistan. That’s unacceptable.

I am concerned by the growing use of drones. Law enforcement is using them. Real Estate companies are using them!

I don’t like all those eyes in the sky looking down on us just going about our business.

I totally AGREE with @Adirondackwannabe . Who gave America the RIGHT to use Drones over sovereign nations? Who gave us the right to inflict death on non-combatants (many of whom are children – children who had absolutely NO say in the warfare that goes on around them)? It makes me ashamed that America is now waging war on a people that already have so little.

It’s getting to the point that any laws that are to protect us from big brother can be nullified any time they want. They have it rigged in the fine print. It won’t take much to get the govt to declare any one of us a security threat and then the interesting life begins.

@marinelife I see myself on google maps this time around. I’m walking in a pasture I frequent, and my big white dog is maybe 50 yards behind me. It’s all there and it is sort of spooky.

So the question arises “can a drone take someone out in the US?” and everyone says no. But what if someone is holding hostages and armed to the teeth, and hiding behind a wall and no SWAT team sniper can take him out? Would you allow the local Sheriff to call in a drone strike on him?

If someone is considered eligible for a sniper in Afghanistan, or for a SEAL strike in Pakistan, could we use a drone instead?

My worries are more about them becoming routine for surveillance by local law enforcement.

I would hate to think a hellfire missile would be used in a hostage situation. Has anyone seen how much….boom, those things bring?

The use of drones so far serves two purposes. First is to obtain intelligence and second for intimidation. It would take maybe an hour to install the hardware to switch roles from passive to active action against ‘unfriendly forces’. I like to believe (probably misguided) any uses of drones in CONUS would be to aid civil authorities. In addition to intercepting and collecting information on anyone who might be preparing civil unrest

There are drones and then there are drones.

Killer drones (assassination drones) are odious. But I have no doubt that the US government (and local and state police departments) are itching to try and use them in the US and see how far the law lets them go. By the way, I’m less worried about the USGovernment than some of the state and locals—can you imagine in Joe Arpaio (Phoenix, AZ) or Governor Perry get control of drones? The US government has some constitutional limits, but Arpaio has thought he is above the law, for years and years.

Unarmed drones – flying over cornfields to check on plant growth and humidity and such – that’s a different story. Those are pretty benign.

But in my mind, I don’t see a whole lot of difference between killer drones and police helicopters with armed officers. We gave up our freedoms a long time ago. Whether shoot us from a helicopter or kill is with a drone-launched rocket—not much difference in the end.

This is a relevant concern. There are police departments in Texas that are already wanting them for “observation” purposes only. Supposedly. But this is a small step away from having one that is capable of actually taking someone out and all we have is their word that this will never happen. I am 100% with @zenvelo on his concerns on this subject.

This new world order is not going to work unless the rulers are sure everything is in order. That includes us.

Are ya ready?

I agree with @elbanditoroso, if they want us dead, it can happen without drones.

It sure looks like something is afoot lately. Municipalities acquiring armored cars, DHS buying up billions of rounds of hollow tipped ammo like never before, drones in the sky?

US gun owners buying more weapons and ammo never before seen in our history.

I’d say someone doesn’t trust the other.

@woodcutter I’ll tell you who we are all afraid of, government and citizen alike. The U. S. is gradually being taken over by gangs. It is like the old days of the wild west, or Chicago during prohibition. They are shooting each other in the streets in broad daylight and getting away with it. Many times, innocent bystanders, including children, are hit.

The armament you speak of is to protect us from those lawless criminals. The worst thing about gun control laws, is the criminals are the best armed, because they don’t care about the law.

@YARNLADY You’re right, criminals don’t care, but a lot of us regular people with weapons DO care about doing the ‘right’ thing. Where’s John Wayne when we need him?!

The amount of guns (real assault weapons) and ammo the many agencies are acquiring is enough to last 20 years in an armed conflict (estimated). I wish I could find the article that had even social security making large amount of ammo purchases. What in the world does Social Security need with ammo of any kind, unless they are being raided for the money to pay for this stuff? So much for retirement. There ain’t enough gang members to kill with a fraction of this materiel.