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Subscribe to RSSObama expected to embrace Senate deal… The reason Obama is headed to Las Vegas: No state has better epitomized the power of the Latino vote… The Kabuki dance… On Rubio selling reform to the conservative base… On Schumer becoming the Democrats’ dealmaker… And Senate is set to confirm John Kerry as secretary of state.
*** Obama to embrace Senate deal: When President Obama delivers his immigration speech at 2:55 pm ET today in Las Vegas, he will hug the principles that the bipartisan group of senators outlined yesterday. “POTUS will applaud the bipartisan Senate agreement that is very consistent with his long-held view and lay out his vision for immigration reform,” top White House aide Dan Pfeiffer just tweeted. Obama also will call on the Senate to act on the legislation soon. While one publication is reporting that the White House has developed its own immigration-reform plan that’s more liberal than the bipartisan Senate outline, that information is outdated. Had the bipartisan senators NOT acted yesterday, you likely would have seen Obama offer his own plan. But the senators did act, and their plan is the plan. The last thing the White House wants to do is blow up this fragile coalition. As we reported yesterday, the White House floated the idea of doing a more liberal or progressive bill during a meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus last week, as a counter to what was being offered in the Senate, and the CHC shot the idea down. The CHC’s advice to the White House was let the Senate work its will – at least for now. That said, the White House insisted last night to reporters that if the Senate coalition falters and if bill shows signs of dying, the president will step in with his own legislation.
Related: Obama’s vs. Senators’ immigration reform plan: 6 points on what overlaps, what differs
Larry Downing / Reuters
President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 24, 2013.
*** Vegas, baby: So why is the president giving his speech in Las Vegas? There is no state that better epitomizes the power of the Latino vote in American politics than Nevada. In 2010, Harry Reid won 69% of Latinos in his race against Sharron Angle, according to the exit polls, saving his Senate seat from a GOP that was convinced was theirs for the taking. And two years later, Obama won 71% of that vote -- matching what he received nationwide. The three states that have moved the most dramatically in presidential contests since 2004 have been Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, and it’s due primarily to the Latino vote in all three states. (New Mexico is not even remotely a purple state anymore.) In Nevada, in particular, Latinos make up 27% of the state’s population and 19% of the voters in the 2012 election. Translation: The Latino influence in the state has even more room to grow.
*** Kabuki dance: While Obama will embrace the bipartisan Senate framework today, one Republican senator who’s part of the deal -- Sen. Lindsey Graham -- was criticizing Obama on FOX last night. “In 2008, he promised comprehensive immigration reform in the first year of his presidency, and it took all the oxygen out of the room,” Graham said. More: “In 2007, when we were trying to do immigration reform, he folded like a cheap suit because labor, the AFL-CIO, got mad at the bill to allow temporary workers... So I don't need a lecture from Barack Obama about bipartisanship; he was never very good at it in the Senate.” Moreover, top Marco Rubio staffers last night tweeted that Obama was “to oppose security and enforcement triggers,” even though the article that was cited never explicitly said that; it simply said Obama “does not favor linking legal status to border security.” So what’s going on here? This is all Kabuki theater to show that these Republicans aren’t in bed with the White House. The best way some Republicans privately believe they have to get more folks on board (or at least to convince some groups not to be overly aggressive AGAINST this plan) is to not look like they are “giving” the president a “win.” Politico also makes this point: “Whether he likes it or not, the president’s top legislative priority rests in the hands of McCain, his former 2008 rival, and Rubio, one of the GOP’s leading candidates to take back the White House in 2016.”
*** On Rubio selling reform to the conservative base: That said, this is an important test for Marco Rubio. He has spent the last several days selling comprehensive immigration to conservatives. And today, he speaks with Rush Limbaugh, who has criticized the bipartisan Senate framework. (“This immigration bill that everybody’s touting on TV is essentially the Bush immigration bill that was beat back in 2007,” Limbaugh said yesterday.) One of Ronald Reagan’s great talents was selling compromise to his party -- and declaring victory. Can Rubio pull this off, especially on an issue that base conservatives have opposed in the past two presidential elections? Rubio’s job with Limbaugh isn’t to convince him to sign on; we’re not sure that’s possible. What Rubio’s goal is today is to convince Limbaugh not to aggressively be AGAINST what he’s doing. If he can pull this off, it will be quite the feather in his hat as we get closer and closer to 2016 -- and perhaps show Rubio has some Reagan-like political skills.
*** On Schumer becoming the Democrats’ dealmaker: For those who closely follow American politics, Chuck Schumer is an easy target to mock. The running joke, for years, has been that the most dangerous place in DC is to be between Schumer and a TV camera. Perhaps lost in this caricature, however, is that Schumer has become the Democrats’ mover and shaker on key legislation -- dare we say the most effective dealmaker on the Democratic side of the aisle right now. On immigration, he’s reaching across the aisle to work with John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio. And on guns, the legislation that has the best chance of passage is Schumer’s (on universal background checks) where he just might MIGHT convince Republican Tom Coburn to come on aboard his bill. What made Ted Kennedy a lion of the Senate was that he had influence with his Democratic colleagues (if he was backing something, they had cover to get on board) but also the ability to reach across the aisle. And so it’s worth asking: Is Chuck Schumer the closest thing to that right now? And we haven’t even touched on how relentless (and effective) Schumer has been the Senate Democrats’ de facto political director. Is there anyone better at candidate recruiting and clearly primary fields right now than Schumer?
*** Senate set to confirm Kerry: In non-immigration news, U.S. Senate today is expected to vote on John Kerry’s nomination to be secretary of state, and he’s a sure bet to win an easy confirmation. As one of us reported yesterday, if Kerry is confirmed and if his letter of resignation is received tomorrow, Massachusetts will set the special general election for June 25 -- with the primaries to take place on April 30. Also, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is expected to announce his pick of an interim senator to fill the seat until the special election.
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Leave a Comment:
Obobo doesnt know his skeets from his skis,
and you cant even trust him to shoot the breeze.
He says he dont want them, so go out and have fun,
then writes legislation to take your guns.
So tell all your children, you daddies and mommies,
Never trust the words of no gun grabbin' commies!
Nobody is trying to take your guns stop with the scare tactics it just means you can't buy new assault rifles and high capacity clips, and you have to have a background check.
If you really think the government is going to your house to take your guns, you are not mentally stable enough to own a gun... So fell free to turn it over hahahaha
dopez-3173765 Where do you get your info from?
you are just upset because obama is the best gun salesman in the history of the United States!
Aren't you upset with him for being a gun enthusiast? After all he does skeet shooting all the time! hahahaha
I have yet to see any legislation that has passed or wording in a bill that says they will confiscate weapons from citizens that were legally purchased
No i don't care, I like weapons and I own a couple so Im not bothered with them getting strict on gun control but don't act like someone is coming for your gun, that's just a lie
I Love it. They are waving the U.S. flag in the picture but as soon as they get their way, breakout the 'ole mexico flag.
I guess he figures after he really screws everything up in the next 4 years he will need the extra voters to keep the Demos in office
F - Obamass
Dreamers love Obama, wooly mammoth Republicans dream only of the past or the woulda, shoulda, coulda, bygone days..
And real Americans can report all persons who are here illegally to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (347-2423).
Democrats are the ones stuck in the past.
ragequitter
These pilots will be replaced by computers as technology advances in the near future. They might be able to land a job monitoring some of the computers.
#1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:33 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
How many pilots do you need? Unless we are thinking in replacing the whole army with drones!
That actually would be nice!
#1.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:06 AM EST
Urban Roman
I'm laughing at your ignorance when I should be crying. You are a fine example of the failed public school system. Good thing for you they have Internet in La La Land, because your 1/2 bubble off plumb.
#1.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:20 AM EST
FedupwithFed
Well that's comforting....(rolls eyes)
#1.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:25 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
Boy! You are early insulting people. If I am an example of ignorance in Public Schools, you are an example of what is WRONG with people in this country: Instead of explaining things, resources to insult and name calling, thinking that nobody else is worthy.
I go back to my bubble if you back to the place where people like you exist. Think: Heaven for flies!!!!
#1.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:58 AM EST
Ranman87
Yes, because ad hominem attacks are the basis of rational arguments, right?
#1.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:12 AM EST
lee-936758
What's next? A class on the New Progressive Constitution? THIS IS WHY OUR 2nd AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY!
#1.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:28 AM EST
Max^108
I hope they start the domestic drone program by using it to patrol the border with Mexico.
#1.7 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
JohnBrowning
It's good to see that someone is profiting from our loss of liberty in this brave new world.
#1.8 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:59 AM EST
C-1059824
I hate poachers but the thought of thousands of drones whirling around spying on all of us all the time seems awfully 1984'ish, even if it is done by civilian companies versus the government. That sounds terrible, I hope that never happens.
#1.9 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:03 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Ranman87 Yay! Fallacy check! I enjoyed that.
@ lee Benjamin Franklin written that the Constitution was just for beginning of the New Country and one should be generated every 10 to 15 years. The Constitution when created was nothing more than a rewrite of 12th century Magna Charta.
@ max They have been using drones to patrol our border for almost a decade.
Unmanned vehicles are becoming more and more popular for actual practical purposes than killin bad guys and peeking in your windows. I am excited to hear about these programs becoming available.
#1.10 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:08 AM EST
Dick-2100935
America leads the way again! Congratulations to all in the Drone technology field.
#1.11 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:35 AM EST
had-enough-470242
I would take this as a grain of salt and do more research before jumping in. Private contractors working with the military in a war zone will always pay good. Hell, even truck drivers are easily making 80-120k tax free over there.
#1.12 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:58 AM EST
Jo Ann-666954
This should bother every American citizen. Sadly, the majority of Americans are too stupid to realize the danger in this.
The program will not be used for the borders. They will say it is but its only a cover. Open your eyes. It's going to be used on us, the American citizens.
#1.13 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:16 AM EST
smittyg
Yeah, teaching people to fly drones to spy on and kill your fellow Americans, what a douche.
#1.14 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:19 AM EST
Sgation
I don't know what to say anymore. Damn Internetz
#1.15 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:30 AM EST
Max^108
It is amazing to see US government outsourcing jobs that used to be done by low paid US soldiers to private contractors with salaries in six figures. That seems to be the only reason we wage these stupid wars - to siphon money from the Treasury into the pockets of Washington insiders who own and run these 'service' companies. US 'defense' sector (it is actually always 'offense') = biggest scam in the world.
#1.16 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:41 AM EST
kaybeetoys
Please explain. That sounds somewhat paranoid from my perspective.
#1.17 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:46 AM EST
sandmantruth
Money before country; this is what our Congress is and what we have become. The drones will be operated by the World Government's "contractors" to make sure any Americans attempting to restore American sovereignty are held in check. There are sellouts in every country and they just buy them out with money since they print the money. This should be considered treason.
There is no reason to operate 10,000 drones here. How is a drone operated remotely going to make Americans any safer than a local police officer? In addition, how do we know that American citizens will be operating the drones as well? Sounds like one way to make more people unemployed if you are going to cut back on the police force as a result.
#1.18 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:47 AM EST
lee-936758
smittg:
Obama and Assad think the same! These drones will be used for spying (and killing) Americans....
#1.19 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:50 AM EST
Bruce-308647
It will start with patrolling the borders and tracking forest fires, but will slowly and steadily morph into an all-country surveillance program where you could be watched and tracked at any time. I find it interesting that Roe V Wade is based on a constitutional "right to privacy", and yet in no other areas of life (and law) do we seem to have this same sacred right to privacy. Cameras are in stores, parking lots, intersections, etc. The administration just sold their mailing lists to leftist activist groups. Gun owners are pinpointed on a map....
My question is simple... Do we or do we NOT have a constitutional right to privacy?
#1.20 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:56 AM EST
moonbeamracer
Drone On! ... Privacy ... What Privacy ? ... Lol ... just a buzzzzz word used to imply something that is becoming non existent as technology pushes the envelope ..
You don't really believe our forefathers thought we should be protected by a Constitution with a Bill of Rights do you?
Just imagine ... one day soon you'll look up & see a bee or a dragoon fly sitting looking in your window wondering if it's real or a drone spying on you .. and of course, next they will become "Killing Machines" ... oHHhhhhh I forgot ... they already are .. we use them daily to destroy our adversaries ..
I want my property to be made a "No Fly Zone" ... I guess all of us will need to own SAM's just to defend ourselves ... maybe mini SAM's will catch on to defend your home .. "Drone Killer" for your home ..
STOP the insanity .... before you destroy everything that this country stood for ....and humanity as well ..
#1.21 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 AM EST
Dick-2100935
In your imagination Obama is waiting for Drones to kill Americans. Don't you know if that was his intention he could use F16's and every other weapon the military has currently available to him. You know those weapons that an armed group of people will stop with their assault weapons so they can take over an intrusive government, as they imagine it also.
#1.22 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:43 AM EST
Smitty-4183671
lee @ post# 1.19 Please tell all of us where you got your information.
#1.23 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:16 AM EST
RalphH
The use of drones is a cowardly way to fight.
The people who have contol of the drones in America, will have control of the new world order they are seeking.
#1.24 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:17 AM EST
Mike S.-2262427
This actually sounds like a really fun job. Makes me want to rethink my choice of college when I get done with my 2 year degree. :p
#1.25 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:02 PM EST
Debi-1314897
The article seems to leave off a few other possible applications; such as, spying on citizens, arming the drones, and disbanding Constitutionally provided peaceful protests. One invisible and unseen drone should be able to control large populations. Law enforcement is biting at the bit in anticipation of playing god without even getting a hair out of place. That little California rolling stop you make when you think no one is around and you're the only one on the road, will land you a surprise ticket in the mail, courtesy of a drone. Hopefully someone will invent a way to remotely screw up their electronics.
Jo Ann:
You're 100% accurate. One need look no further than our "border" checkpoints, set up miles inside any U.S. border. All illegal border crossers know they're there and avoid them; only citizens who are travelling on those roads and must pass through them are the ones forced to comply with their less than Constitutional interrogations and searches.
sandmantruth:
I live in a city with a population of approximately 180,000, not the streets of big, bad Detroit and we own a police helicopter. It is absolutely overkill, expensive and annoying at 3:00am to hear this damn rust bucket swirling over and over again over my home. Just as using a drone, the helicopter is a wasted status symbol and our taxpayer funds would be much better spent elsewhere.
Bruce:
Our Constitutional rights have been lost to the New World Order.
#1.26 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:17 PM EST
It is time
It is true there could be and are some very good uses for drones and I'm glad to see they are trying to focus on the benefits of them. However, that doesn't change the negative aspects which are primarily invasion of privacy and spying on people. Before (not after) any licenses or rules to allow drones are okay'd privacy laws and strict restrictions need to be put in place to ensure no misuse. If this can't be done and current track records of lack privacy concerns are going to continue to be the norm then I'd have to say sorry charlie no dice and they don't need to be allowed. Until we put an end to the privacy invasion and keep handing over rights in the name of safety (ie large parts of patriot act) and have the right rules in place we will have to forgo the uses of this tech that could actually benefit us. Though I doubt this will happen but IMO that's at least how it should be done.
I agree with the other comments, why are we not using military personal to fly these? Or at very least pay a reasonable amount? 80-100K + in this case to watch a video feed? Give me a break. The private contractor nonsense is just one other reason why we have such a bloated DOD budget yet continue to get less for our money. Maybe hire the guy as a trainer but certainly have no need for 10 or 15 civilians flying these or watching video feeds at that price, and even then the military should be able to train one of theirs to become a trainer. So screwed up.
Back to the story at hand, I know probably a waste of time but I really do hope our elected ones we do what is right and get the right laws in place so this tech doesn't get abused.
It is time
#1.27 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:45 PM EST
Enneagram1
I wonder how that would work from several feet in the air.
#1.2 Urban Roman: Behave yourself and don't be rude to people, if that's possible. Your insults are juvenile and unwarranted.
#1.28 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
JR-3053574
I find it funny somebody is going to go pay for collage for drone flying. When kids are playing it on video games now for free.
#1.29 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
Debi-1314897
It is time:
You cannot hope or have any expectations for the government to do the right thing. Citizens have no right to privacy as witnessed by the facility built in Utah by our federal government to monitor and record ALLelectronic communications; i.e., your emails, cell phone calls, home phone calls if connected by internet, etc. For those that argue for the impossibility to sort through all that information, they are currently perfecting the software to do just that.
This is not the "land of the free" you, myself and every other school kid were/are dutifully propagandized into believing.
#1.30 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:58 PM EST
spider-737231
Oh my gawd, stupid is alive and well. First, we have somebody predicting that computers will eventually replace the drone "pilots"; uh, the drones are flown by computers now!....the "pilots" are in an office, at the keyboard.
Second, what the hell are all of you folks doing that you so fear the government spying on you? If you're that paranoid, just stay indoors....the drone cameras can't see through walls!
#1.31 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:10 PM EST
It is time
Debi - sad isn't? I hate to think that way too and like to hope it doesn't come to that and we can turn it around but unless we as American citizens come together and make a stand, don't see it having much of a chance in a realistic sense.
#1.32 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:22 PM EST
Jo Ann-666954
@kaybeetoys, I'm not a paranoid person at all. I just know how Obama works and these are baby steps. What I laugh about is the double standard.
Obama just announced that he is sending $155 million dollars in aid to Syria. US tax dollars being thrown away. This is something Obama & the left criticized Bush for doing. I remember during the 2008 campaign Obama saying we have problems that need to be dealt with at home in the criticism towards Bush.
Yet somehow all we hear is silence on the left when Obama is the one throwing away our money, money that should stay here to help with our problems. Silence from the left with this drone issue too.
#1.33 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:28 PM EST
Debi-1314897
spider:
I don't know what is worse; your ignorance or the government. Educate yourself and become part of the solution instead of the problem:
#1.34 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:37 PM EST
Frosty-3060541
At present, there are many problems with this technology, both physical and sociological.
These drones/U.A.V.s/flying cameras, etc., whatever one wishes to call them are being flown by young foot soldiers, that are earning nowhere near the salaries quoted in the article, given to civilian contractors. (I even have two small helicopters I bought in the local mall for my grandson and grandaughter to play with, and they are good at it.) The thing about these small units is they have such a short range, and air time endurance/weather endurance is very limited, as opposed to the large "killer" drones emplyed by the CIA and our military services, which are more like small to medium sized aircraft. A big problem outside of the exorbitant cost of the units and the contractors, is they take two people to operate them, not including the support staff to monitor every aspect of the flight, both electronically, and personally. One to actually do the flying, the other to man and control the video units. Nowhere is there an individual with a rotating neck/head to actually focus their binocular vision on possible collision possibilities, sitting in a cockpit to watch for other flying objects.
Right now, I'm waiting to hear of a mid air collision between one of these pieces of hardware/software and some civilian airliner, causeing massive loss of life. The government, in its infinite wisdom, is supposedly working on this problem, by limiting the airspace for civilian planes, all in the name of "National Security." Of course, it doesn't affect them, as they have the FAA declare "No Fly Zones" whereever they happen to be. Planes are not allowed anywhere near those bigshots, except MANNED, and armed, U.S. military aircraft.
This is an ongoing problem with our "national" leadership. They seem to think technology can defeat any enemy. One thing they constantly overlook is the ingenuity and deviousness of human kind, especially when it feels threatened. Look at the problems in every war in the last decades. The bigshots in Washington came up with all kinds of "smart" bombs, fighter planes with no guns, various other technology. In every single case, they have been delayed in gaining their objectives, and defeated, until they put "boots on the ground" in those conflicts.
And the enemy is just as smart as those politicians, if not smarter, in a lot of cases.
#1.35 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:50 PM EST
DaveyJonesDeetroit
Wow! Where-oh-where to begin?
DUAL USE TECHNOLOGY
ABUSE OF TECHNOLOGY
HUMAN NATURE
ROBOTICS
CIVIL LIBERTIES
JUDGEMENT DAY (as in the Terminator movie series)
Hmmm. How 'bout something that didn't get mentioned in the article, unless I missed it. We can use drones to monitor forest fires, sheep herds, law enforcement/public safety, as well as spying on U.S. Citizens going about their lives. HOW 'BOUT THE FREAKIN' 2000 mile BORDER with our neighbor to the south?? Nope, can't go there. Too many potential Democrat voters streaming in--whether or not they ever get citizenship and therefore legally vote. Gotta continue to ignore them to ensure the completion of the demographic shift that will ensure decades if not centuries of one party rule. Nope, no perverse incentives here...
How about CIVIL LIBERTIES??? Does ANYONE on the right or left of the so-called political spectrum trust that, given the opportunity, powerful people won't abuse another powerful technology to maintain their own power? "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton [www_lpboulder_com/quotes] Giving a government that knows no restraint, and does not abide by the law or the constitution to begin with now, new tools that allow it to have ever more power over its citizens, is there anything stopping an overwhelming totalitarian tyranny? You may not be paranoid, but that doesn't guarantee they aren't out to get you. Drones watching us? Wonder where the ACLU stands on this one? Civil Liberty advocacy groups, anyone? <<crickets chirping>>
How about the MOVIES??? Once command-and-control over the drones is given to networked computers, what would stop an enemy, or the computer network itself, from doing things with the drones we might not appreciate? The H-Ks (Hunter-Killers) of the Terminator series of movies comes to mind. As we increase our power over our environment and each other, do we have the wisdom (ethics, self-restraint and legal framework) to keep up with our new "toys?" Our "knowledge of good and evil" and culpability increases geometrically with each successive bite of the apple. Wonder if this is where Steve Jobs got his idea for his company's logo...
I want to have technology that helps us live, and I'm all for the peaceful use of dual-use military technology. Employing the unemployed is a laudable goal. Me thinks if you have reservations about how this technology has been used on the battlefield, you'll LOVE how it gets used on you.
#1.36 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:11 PM EST
Advertise | AdChoices
BlackandGold-1513340
Don't worry, in the very near future all these jobs will go to "undocumented workers" under the new immigration reform. It will give illegals the chance to show their patriotism.
#2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:42 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268 Comment collapsed by the community
Oh Please! give it a break! The last time I looked, Universities and colleges were there for everybody that WANTED to get an education!.
If illegal aliens wish to pursue an education, all the lazy US citizens that do not want to pursue a degree in math and science deserve to be REPLACED, either by drones or illegals.
#2.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:09 AM EST
James-964528
IRESPOND, you seem to imply that the only education worth having is math and science. History might help a little, with a dose of morals and ethics, and maybe a little common sense. Drones are the first step to a police state. Its amazing how Americans are so obsessed with their 2nd Ammendments right but don't have sense enough to see how the real slippery slope argument applies to privacy. In 10 years, the only liberty will be to liberty to have a gun and that won't do a lot of good in a police state when your every move is under surveillance.
#2.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Irespond agreed. I am in the middle of my computer science degree and I am maybe one of 3 US citizens in all of my advanced classes. I am embarassed but it keeps me motivated because apparently we are representing our whole country.
@ James I wanted a History major (I really enjoy History) but the job market sees the focuses of the degrees you have mentioned as lazy and oversaturated.
I know I cannot speak for the entire country, this is just my personal experience of being an old f**t trying to finish my degree.
#2.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:18 AM EST
Dick-2100935
Does this mean we will no longer have a corporate state where the corporation is "Big Brother?"
#2.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:32 AM EST
ProFreedom-5130956
Sorry, but providing illegals opportunities to go to school and jobs isn't fair to the citizens and those who entered this country legally.
Big Brother is watching you!
#2.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:10 AM EST
Dawgfan-4710266
Irespond,
Illegals need to pay out of state tutition. Why should an illegal take a spot of a Natural Born US Citizen, and then pay in-state-tutition because they lied on the applications about their legal status?
#2.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:38 AM EST
lee-936758
A single shot shotgun will bring one down...........
Progressivism (Dreamism) started early in the last century so, how does that make it new. Funny, the Russian Revolution happened around the same time and most of us know how that ended. Brace yourself.
As a recent college graduate, I don't feel guilty saying this but legalizing illegal immigrants is not going to solve the immigration problem. One thing that Obama is not realizing is that there's a carrying capacity in the U.S, hasn't he heard about the "Tragedy of the Commons"?? The land can't sustain and maintain the loads of people this new "law" is going to legalize. What makes you think that by legalizing illegal immigrants more and more will not want the same type of treatment? I am not ashamed to say I'm an immigrant but the difference is that I came as a permanent resident... I did not break the law, I RESPECTED IT.
I don't think it's fair for an illegal immigrant wanting to go to college for him/her to pay the same amount as an out of state student, student whose parents perhaps had to financially struggle in order to put his/her kid through school. It is true that the land at the end belongs to no one and back in time you didn't need a passport to move from land to land but now THERE ARE LAWS that need to be respected and enforced. Instead of trying to solve everyone's problems, the US should work closely with those countries who need to get their crap together. Countries that need to be able to provide their citizens with the safety, jobs, stability that they need.
If we keep on creating or making this type of exemptions, at the end THIS IS GOING TO SCREW US OVER!!! I agree with some previous comments and I think it is time to think of a better type of enforcement action. There so many messed up things in the US that need to get fixed, immigration at the moment shouldn't be a priority. INNOCENT KIDS dying due to a sloppy arms control, THAT'S A PRIORITY!!
I'm glad that our law makers are finally working together even though the house will block it, I wish they were working together on a jobs bill but at least something is getting done
Funny how this criminal pig will go with anything separating and destroying our nation rather than try to fix anything good and clean. Gives our country away while he Arms others for war and takes our tax dollars to help others when we are struggling to ever live. His whole agenda is transparent. Why fix anything good and clean when you can exploit it and get filthy rich from it. The great Muslim he is and their agenda to conform or die and O-Abomination minions and supporters just conform and the funniest thing is,, they will see the same poverty, same tax hikes, same triple the debt for their grand kids future. A future of our homes being invaded and World wars- racist wars right on their door steps.. foolish selfish pigs getting what they have sown with this dictator wicked king.. All patriots,,It's time and there are many venues of protests for our liberties, our constitutional rights going to DC in the Millions,,, FIND ONE and BE THERE.. WE THE PEOPLE are taking back from this criminal O-Abomination, this tyranny, the treasonous king is gone..Send him to mars and he can dictate to those stupid rocks..since stooped rocks support this pig dictator,,
You are a dick head. An ignorant hater.
Too bad
Useful idiots.
Its funny chuck,
He uses Romney's healthcare plan, Regan's gun control plan and Bush's immigration plan and he is labeled as a dictator socialist far left president
Looks like your party is the confused one.
Chuck,
Preach IT - CODE PINK and The Liberal Thumb Suckers Aren't Getting It Maybe They Want A CIVIL WAR ?
Obama is flying to Nevada to pitch this plan to the large illegal population.
Should the illegals really have a say in this? Do we need their approval?
Now King Wanna Be is aligning Americans with criminals (illegal immigrants). At the end of the day, that is what one is that breaks the law.
So now in another one of his propaganda speeches he is saying that they are no different than we are. That we have to accept them because they've earn their keep here in America and we have to ACCEPT IT.
He and all the other criminals need to leave the United States of America and let our country be guided by God, Our Peoples, and the U.S. Constitution.
Military Retired.
Sorry but god isn't allowed to guide our country, its in the constitution you talk so much about. Also god doesn't guide countries unless you mean let the church guide our country which i say hell no
Well Lopez, as I look at a $100.00 and $5.00 bill, they both say "In God We Trust." Throughout Washington and our Great Country, God is inscripted everywhere, so God is imbedded within our country. Hussein did put his hand on a Bible last week. This country was founded on solid principles of the church. History depicts this.
Now do we as intelligent individuals know the difference as to how both place within our governmental system, of course we do. But God is deeply rooted within our country, you know it and I know it.
Yes but god doesn't plan legislation or pass laws. I will state that yes through our founding, and our tradition. But God doesn't run the country or should. America is man made period and to pay respect to god is one thing (which I like) but to govern by him is not what we do or should be what we do.
With that think about god
Then we would have no wars, no borders, free healthcare, free food for all, no death penalty, communal living, No army, no rich, no poor before you claim god as building this country look at what the word of god says. Sorry but god was not a capitalist
The right wing is off thier rocker.
Plain and simple.
That's why you can report all persons who are here illegally to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (347-2423).
I know actually trying to fix something is crazy!
ragequitter
These pilots will be replaced by computers as technology advances in the near future. They might be able to land a job monitoring some of the computers.
#1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:33 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
How many pilots do you need? Unless we are thinking in replacing the whole army with drones!
That actually would be nice!
#1.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:06 AM EST
Urban Roman
I'm laughing at your ignorance when I should be crying. You are a fine example of the failed public school system. Good thing for you they have Internet in La La Land, because your 1/2 bubble off plumb.
#1.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:20 AM EST
FedupwithFed
Well that's comforting....(rolls eyes)
#1.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:25 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
Boy! You are early insulting people. If I am an example of ignorance in Public Schools, you are an example of what is WRONG with people in this country: Instead of explaining things, resources to insult and name calling, thinking that nobody else is worthy.
I go back to my bubble if you back to the place where people like you exist. Think: Heaven for flies!!!!
#1.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:58 AM EST
Ranman87
Yes, because ad hominem attacks are the basis of rational arguments, right?
#1.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:12 AM EST
lee-936758
What's next? A class on the New Progressive Constitution? THIS IS WHY OUR 2nd AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY!
#1.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:28 AM EST
Max^108
I hope they start the domestic drone program by using it to patrol the border with Mexico.
#1.7 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
JohnBrowning
It's good to see that someone is profiting from our loss of liberty in this brave new world.
#1.8 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:59 AM EST
C-1059824
I hate poachers but the thought of thousands of drones whirling around spying on all of us all the time seems awfully 1984'ish, even if it is done by civilian companies versus the government. That sounds terrible, I hope that never happens.
#1.9 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:03 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Ranman87 Yay! Fallacy check! I enjoyed that.
@ lee Benjamin Franklin written that the Constitution was just for beginning of the New Country and one should be generated every 10 to 15 years. The Constitution when created was nothing more than a rewrite of 12th century Magna Charta.
@ max They have been using drones to patrol our border for almost a decade.
Unmanned vehicles are becoming more and more popular for actual practical purposes than killin bad guys and peeking in your windows. I am excited to hear about these programs becoming available.
#1.10 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:08 AM EST
Dick-2100935
America leads the way again! Congratulations to all in the Drone technology field.
#1.11 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:35 AM EST
had-enough-470242
I would take this as a grain of salt and do more research before jumping in. Private contractors working with the military in a war zone will always pay good. Hell, even truck drivers are easily making 80-120k tax free over there.
#1.12 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:58 AM EST
Jo Ann-666954
This should bother every American citizen. Sadly, the majority of Americans are too stupid to realize the danger in this.
The program will not be used for the borders. They will say it is but its only a cover. Open your eyes. It's going to be used on us, the American citizens.
#1.13 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:16 AM EST
smittyg
Yeah, teaching people to fly drones to spy on and kill your fellow Americans, what a douche.
#1.14 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:19 AM EST
Sgation
I don't know what to say anymore. Damn Internetz
#1.15 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:30 AM EST
Max^108
It is amazing to see US government outsourcing jobs that used to be done by low paid US soldiers to private contractors with salaries in six figures. That seems to be the only reason we wage these stupid wars - to siphon money from the Treasury into the pockets of Washington insiders who own and run these 'service' companies. US 'defense' sector (it is actually always 'offense') = biggest scam in the world.
#1.16 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:41 AM EST
kaybeetoys
Please explain. That sounds somewhat paranoid from my perspective.
#1.17 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:46 AM EST
sandmantruth
Money before country; this is what our Congress is and what we have become. The drones will be operated by the World Government's "contractors" to make sure any Americans attempting to restore American sovereignty are held in check. There are sellouts in every country and they just buy them out with money since they print the money. This should be considered treason.
There is no reason to operate 10,000 drones here. How is a drone operated remotely going to make Americans any safer than a local police officer? In addition, how do we know that American citizens will be operating the drones as well? Sounds like one way to make more people unemployed if you are going to cut back on the police force as a result.
#1.18 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:47 AM EST
lee-936758
smittg:
Obama and Assad think the same! These drones will be used for spying (and killing) Americans....
#1.19 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:50 AM EST
Bruce-308647
It will start with patrolling the borders and tracking forest fires, but will slowly and steadily morph into an all-country surveillance program where you could be watched and tracked at any time. I find it interesting that Roe V Wade is based on a constitutional "right to privacy", and yet in no other areas of life (and law) do we seem to have this same sacred right to privacy. Cameras are in stores, parking lots, intersections, etc. The administration just sold their mailing lists to leftist activist groups. Gun owners are pinpointed on a map....
My question is simple... Do we or do we NOT have a constitutional right to privacy?
#1.20 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:56 AM EST
moonbeamracer
Drone On! ... Privacy ... What Privacy ? ... Lol ... just a buzzzzz word used to imply something that is becoming non existent as technology pushes the envelope ..
You don't really believe our forefathers thought we should be protected by a Constitution with a Bill of Rights do you?
Just imagine ... one day soon you'll look up & see a bee or a dragoon fly sitting looking in your window wondering if it's real or a drone spying on you .. and of course, next they will become "Killing Machines" ... oHHhhhhh I forgot ... they already are .. we use them daily to destroy our adversaries ..
I want my property to be made a "No Fly Zone" ... I guess all of us will need to own SAM's just to defend ourselves ... maybe mini SAM's will catch on to defend your home .. "Drone Killer" for your home ..
STOP the insanity .... before you destroy everything that this country stood for ....and humanity as well ..
#1.21 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 AM EST
Dick-2100935
In your imagination Obama is waiting for Drones to kill Americans. Don't you know if that was his intention he could use F16's and every other weapon the military has currently available to him. You know those weapons that an armed group of people will stop with their assault weapons so they can take over an intrusive government, as they imagine it also.
#1.22 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:43 AM EST
Smitty-4183671
lee @ post# 1.19 Please tell all of us where you got your information.
#1.23 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:16 AM EST
RalphH
The use of drones is a cowardly way to fight.
The people who have contol of the drones in America, will have control of the new world order they are seeking.
#1.24 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:17 AM EST
Mike S.-2262427
This actually sounds like a really fun job. Makes me want to rethink my choice of college when I get done with my 2 year degree. :p
#1.25 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:02 PM EST
Debi-1314897
The article seems to leave off a few other possible applications; such as, spying on citizens, arming the drones, and disbanding Constitutionally provided peaceful protests. One invisible and unseen drone should be able to control large populations. Law enforcement is biting at the bit in anticipation of playing god without even getting a hair out of place. That little California rolling stop you make when you think no one is around and you're the only one on the road, will land you a surprise ticket in the mail, courtesy of a drone. Hopefully someone will invent a way to remotely screw up their electronics.
Jo Ann:
You're 100% accurate. One need look no further than our "border" checkpoints, set up miles inside any U.S. border. All illegal border crossers know they're there and avoid them; only citizens who are travelling on those roads and must pass through them are the ones forced to comply with their less than Constitutional interrogations and searches.
sandmantruth:
I live in a city with a population of approximately 180,000, not the streets of big, bad Detroit and we own a police helicopter. It is absolutely overkill, expensive and annoying at 3:00am to hear this damn rust bucket swirling over and over again over my home. Just as using a drone, the helicopter is a wasted status symbol and our taxpayer funds would be much better spent elsewhere.
Bruce:
Our Constitutional rights have been lost to the New World Order.
#1.26 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:17 PM EST
It is time
It is true there could be and are some very good uses for drones and I'm glad to see they are trying to focus on the benefits of them. However, that doesn't change the negative aspects which are primarily invasion of privacy and spying on people. Before (not after) any licenses or rules to allow drones are okay'd privacy laws and strict restrictions need to be put in place to ensure no misuse. If this can't be done and current track records of lack privacy concerns are going to continue to be the norm then I'd have to say sorry charlie no dice and they don't need to be allowed. Until we put an end to the privacy invasion and keep handing over rights in the name of safety (ie large parts of patriot act) and have the right rules in place we will have to forgo the uses of this tech that could actually benefit us. Though I doubt this will happen but IMO that's at least how it should be done.
I agree with the other comments, why are we not using military personal to fly these? Or at very least pay a reasonable amount? 80-100K + in this case to watch a video feed? Give me a break. The private contractor nonsense is just one other reason why we have such a bloated DOD budget yet continue to get less for our money. Maybe hire the guy as a trainer but certainly have no need for 10 or 15 civilians flying these or watching video feeds at that price, and even then the military should be able to train one of theirs to become a trainer. So screwed up.
Back to the story at hand, I know probably a waste of time but I really do hope our elected ones we do what is right and get the right laws in place so this tech doesn't get abused.
It is time
#1.27 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:45 PM EST
Enneagram1
I wonder how that would work from several feet in the air.
#1.2 Urban Roman: Behave yourself and don't be rude to people, if that's possible. Your insults are juvenile and unwarranted.
#1.28 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
JR-3053574
I find it funny somebody is going to go pay for collage for drone flying. When kids are playing it on video games now for free.
#1.29 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
Debi-1314897
It is time:
You cannot hope or have any expectations for the government to do the right thing. Citizens have no right to privacy as witnessed by the facility built in Utah by our federal government to monitor and record ALLelectronic communications; i.e., your emails, cell phone calls, home phone calls if connected by internet, etc. For those that argue for the impossibility to sort through all that information, they are currently perfecting the software to do just that.
This is not the "land of the free" you, myself and every other school kid were/are dutifully propagandized into believing.
#1.30 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:58 PM EST
spider-737231
Oh my gawd, stupid is alive and well. First, we have somebody predicting that computers will eventually replace the drone "pilots"; uh, the drones are flown by computers now!....the "pilots" are in an office, at the keyboard.
Second, what the hell are all of you folks doing that you so fear the government spying on you? If you're that paranoid, just stay indoors....the drone cameras can't see through walls!
#1.31 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:10 PM EST
It is time
Debi - sad isn't? I hate to think that way too and like to hope it doesn't come to that and we can turn it around but unless we as American citizens come together and make a stand, don't see it having much of a chance in a realistic sense.
#1.32 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:22 PM EST
Jo Ann-666954
@kaybeetoys, I'm not a paranoid person at all. I just know how Obama works and these are baby steps. What I laugh about is the double standard.
Obama just announced that he is sending $155 million dollars in aid to Syria. US tax dollars being thrown away. This is something Obama & the left criticized Bush for doing. I remember during the 2008 campaign Obama saying we have problems that need to be dealt with at home in the criticism towards Bush.
Yet somehow all we hear is silence on the left when Obama is the one throwing away our money, money that should stay here to help with our problems. Silence from the left with this drone issue too.
#1.33 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:28 PM EST
Debi-1314897
spider:
I don't know what is worse; your ignorance or the government. Educate yourself and become part of the solution instead of the problem:
#1.34 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:37 PM EST
Frosty-3060541
At present, there are many problems with this technology, both physical and sociological.
These drones/U.A.V.s/flying cameras, etc., whatever one wishes to call them are being flown by young foot soldiers, that are earning nowhere near the salaries quoted in the article, given to civilian contractors. (I even have two small helicopters I bought in the local mall for my grandson and grandaughter to play with, and they are good at it.) The thing about these small units is they have such a short range, and air time endurance/weather endurance is very limited, as opposed to the large "killer" drones emplyed by the CIA and our military services, which are more like small to medium sized aircraft. A big problem outside of the exorbitant cost of the units and the contractors, is they take two people to operate them, not including the support staff to monitor every aspect of the flight, both electronically, and personally. One to actually do the flying, the other to man and control the video units. Nowhere is there an individual with a rotating neck/head to actually focus their binocular vision on possible collision possibilities, sitting in a cockpit to watch for other flying objects.
Right now, I'm waiting to hear of a mid air collision between one of these pieces of hardware/software and some civilian airliner, causeing massive loss of life. The government, in its infinite wisdom, is supposedly working on this problem, by limiting the airspace for civilian planes, all in the name of "National Security." Of course, it doesn't affect them, as they have the FAA declare "No Fly Zones" whereever they happen to be. Planes are not allowed anywhere near those bigshots, except MANNED, and armed, U.S. military aircraft.
This is an ongoing problem with our "national" leadership. They seem to think technology can defeat any enemy. One thing they constantly overlook is the ingenuity and deviousness of human kind, especially when it feels threatened. Look at the problems in every war in the last decades. The bigshots in Washington came up with all kinds of "smart" bombs, fighter planes with no guns, various other technology. In every single case, they have been delayed in gaining their objectives, and defeated, until they put "boots on the ground" in those conflicts.
And the enemy is just as smart as those politicians, if not smarter, in a lot of cases.
#1.35 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:50 PM EST
DaveyJonesDeetroit
Wow! Where-oh-where to begin?
DUAL USE TECHNOLOGY
ABUSE OF TECHNOLOGY
HUMAN NATURE
ROBOTICS
CIVIL LIBERTIES
JUDGEMENT DAY (as in the Terminator movie series)
Hmmm. How 'bout something that didn't get mentioned in the article, unless I missed it. We can use drones to monitor forest fires, sheep herds, law enforcement/public safety, as well as spying on U.S. Citizens going about their lives. HOW 'BOUT THE FREAKIN' 2000 mile BORDER with our neighbor to the south?? Nope, can't go there. Too many potential Democrat voters streaming in--whether or not they ever get citizenship and therefore legally vote. Gotta continue to ignore them to ensure the completion of the demographic shift that will ensure decades if not centuries of one party rule. Nope, no perverse incentives here...
How about CIVIL LIBERTIES??? Does ANYONE on the right or left of the so-called political spectrum trust that, given the opportunity, powerful people won't abuse another powerful technology to maintain their own power? "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton [www_lpboulder_com/quotes] Giving a government that knows no restraint, and does not abide by the law or the constitution to begin with now, new tools that allow it to have ever more power over its citizens, is there anything stopping an overwhelming totalitarian tyranny? You may not be paranoid, but that doesn't guarantee they aren't out to get you. Drones watching us? Wonder where the ACLU stands on this one? Civil Liberty advocacy groups, anyone? <<crickets chirping>>
How about the MOVIES??? Once command-and-control over the drones is given to networked computers, what would stop an enemy, or the computer network itself, from doing things with the drones we might not appreciate? The H-Ks (Hunter-Killers) of the Terminator series of movies comes to mind. As we increase our power over our environment and each other, do we have the wisdom (ethics, self-restraint and legal framework) to keep up with our new "toys?" Our "knowledge of good and evil" and culpability increases geometrically with each successive bite of the apple. Wonder if this is where Steve Jobs got his idea for his company's logo...
I want to have technology that helps us live, and I'm all for the peaceful use of dual-use military technology. Employing the unemployed is a laudable goal. Me thinks if you have reservations about how this technology has been used on the battlefield, you'll LOVE how it gets used on you.
#1.36 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:11 PM EST
Advertise | AdChoices
BlackandGold-1513340
Don't worry, in the very near future all these jobs will go to "undocumented workers" under the new immigration reform. It will give illegals the chance to show their patriotism.
#2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:42 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268 Comment collapsed by the community
Oh Please! give it a break! The last time I looked, Universities and colleges were there for everybody that WANTED to get an education!.
If illegal aliens wish to pursue an education, all the lazy US citizens that do not want to pursue a degree in math and science deserve to be REPLACED, either by drones or illegals.
#2.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:09 AM EST
James-964528
IRESPOND, you seem to imply that the only education worth having is math and science. History might help a little, with a dose of morals and ethics, and maybe a little common sense. Drones are the first step to a police state. Its amazing how Americans are so obsessed with their 2nd Ammendments right but don't have sense enough to see how the real slippery slope argument applies to privacy. In 10 years, the only liberty will be to liberty to have a gun and that won't do a lot of good in a police state when your every move is under surveillance.
#2.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Irespond agreed. I am in the middle of my computer science degree and I am maybe one of 3 US citizens in all of my advanced classes. I am embarassed but it keeps me motivated because apparently we are representing our whole country.
@ James I wanted a History major (I really enjoy History) but the job market sees the focuses of the degrees you have mentioned as lazy and oversaturated.
I know I cannot speak for the entire country, this is just my personal experience of being an old f**t trying to finish my degree.
#2.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:18 AM EST
Dick-2100935
Does this mean we will no longer have a corporate state where the corporation is "Big Brother?"
#2.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:32 AM EST
ProFreedom-5130956
Sorry, but providing illegals opportunities to go to school and jobs isn't fair to the citizens and those who entered this country legally.
Big Brother is watching you!
#2.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:10 AM EST
Dawgfan-4710266
Irespond,
Illegals need to pay out of state tutition. Why should an illegal take a spot of a Natural Born US Citizen, and then pay in-state-tutition because they lied on the applications about their legal status?
#2.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:38 AM EST
lee-936758
A single shot shotgun will bring one down...........
I wonder if the prez shoots skeet with a
semi automaticer I mean assault shotgun? Does he shoot a .410, 20, 16, 12 or 10 guage?11 million undocumented Democrats.
Barry must be so very proud!
That's 11 million people that you can report to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (347-2423).
Better get dialing, abomination.
Oh, believe me..........I have.
Haha; Believe me, I know you have nothing better to do.
LOL, do I smell landslide....
Never seen so many conservative LOSERS posting on a so called liberal web site. And the reason for calling them LOSERS, they lost TWO, YES two elections to Obama. PLUS they lied to the American people when they said they were going to make Obama a one term President.
Aren't you people tired of lying to the American people? Obama was just sworn into his SECOND TERM. Best thing the R's can do is change their platform, throw out the tea baggers and bible thumpers and the hate mongers they have. Otherwise, come 2014, and 2016, the voters will be cleaning house of those pesky LIARS.
It isn't a lie that you can report all persons who are here illegally to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (347-2423).
SallyAnn look up "useful idiot".
V\
ragequitter
These pilots will be replaced by computers as technology advances in the near future. They might be able to land a job monitoring some of the computers.
#1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:33 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
How many pilots do you need? Unless we are thinking in replacing the whole army with drones!
That actually would be nice!
#1.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:06 AM EST
Urban Roman
I'm laughing at your ignorance when I should be crying. You are a fine example of the failed public school system. Good thing for you they have Internet in La La Land, because your 1/2 bubble off plumb.
#1.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:20 AM EST
FedupwithFed
Well that's comforting....(rolls eyes)
#1.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:25 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
Boy! You are early insulting people. If I am an example of ignorance in Public Schools, you are an example of what is WRONG with people in this country: Instead of explaining things, resources to insult and name calling, thinking that nobody else is worthy.
I go back to my bubble if you back to the place where people like you exist. Think: Heaven for flies!!!!
#1.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:58 AM EST
Ranman87
Yes, because ad hominem attacks are the basis of rational arguments, right?
#1.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:12 AM EST
lee-936758
What's next? A class on the New Progressive Constitution? THIS IS WHY OUR 2nd AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY!
#1.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:28 AM EST
Max^108
I hope they start the domestic drone program by using it to patrol the border with Mexico.
#1.7 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
JohnBrowning
It's good to see that someone is profiting from our loss of liberty in this brave new world.
#1.8 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:59 AM EST
C-1059824
I hate poachers but the thought of thousands of drones whirling around spying on all of us all the time seems awfully 1984'ish, even if it is done by civilian companies versus the government. That sounds terrible, I hope that never happens.
#1.9 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:03 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Ranman87 Yay! Fallacy check! I enjoyed that.
@ lee Benjamin Franklin written that the Constitution was just for beginning of the New Country and one should be generated every 10 to 15 years. The Constitution when created was nothing more than a rewrite of 12th century Magna Charta.
@ max They have been using drones to patrol our border for almost a decade.
Unmanned vehicles are becoming more and more popular for actual practical purposes than killin bad guys and peeking in your windows. I am excited to hear about these programs becoming available.
#1.10 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:08 AM EST
Dick-2100935
America leads the way again! Congratulations to all in the Drone technology field.
#1.11 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:35 AM EST
had-enough-470242
I would take this as a grain of salt and do more research before jumping in. Private contractors working with the military in a war zone will always pay good. Hell, even truck drivers are easily making 80-120k tax free over there.
#1.12 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:58 AM EST
Jo Ann-666954
This should bother every American citizen. Sadly, the majority of Americans are too stupid to realize the danger in this.
The program will not be used for the borders. They will say it is but its only a cover. Open your eyes. It's going to be used on us, the American citizens.
#1.13 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:16 AM EST
smittyg
Yeah, teaching people to fly drones to spy on and kill your fellow Americans, what a douche.
#1.14 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:19 AM EST
Sgation
I don't know what to say anymore. Damn Internetz
#1.15 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:30 AM EST
Max^108
It is amazing to see US government outsourcing jobs that used to be done by low paid US soldiers to private contractors with salaries in six figures. That seems to be the only reason we wage these stupid wars - to siphon money from the Treasury into the pockets of Washington insiders who own and run these 'service' companies. US 'defense' sector (it is actually always 'offense') = biggest scam in the world.
#1.16 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:41 AM EST
kaybeetoys
Please explain. That sounds somewhat paranoid from my perspective.
#1.17 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:46 AM EST
sandmantruth
Money before country; this is what our Congress is and what we have become. The drones will be operated by the World Government's "contractors" to make sure any Americans attempting to restore American sovereignty are held in check. There are sellouts in every country and they just buy them out with money since they print the money. This should be considered treason.
There is no reason to operate 10,000 drones here. How is a drone operated remotely going to make Americans any safer than a local police officer? In addition, how do we know that American citizens will be operating the drones as well? Sounds like one way to make more people unemployed if you are going to cut back on the police force as a result.
#1.18 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:47 AM EST
lee-936758
smittg:
Obama and Assad think the same! These drones will be used for spying (and killing) Americans....
#1.19 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:50 AM EST
Bruce-308647
It will start with patrolling the borders and tracking forest fires, but will slowly and steadily morph into an all-country surveillance program where you could be watched and tracked at any time. I find it interesting that Roe V Wade is based on a constitutional "right to privacy", and yet in no other areas of life (and law) do we seem to have this same sacred right to privacy. Cameras are in stores, parking lots, intersections, etc. The administration just sold their mailing lists to leftist activist groups. Gun owners are pinpointed on a map....
My question is simple... Do we or do we NOT have a constitutional right to privacy?
#1.20 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:56 AM EST
moonbeamracer
Drone On! ... Privacy ... What Privacy ? ... Lol ... just a buzzzzz word used to imply something that is becoming non existent as technology pushes the envelope ..
You don't really believe our forefathers thought we should be protected by a Constitution with a Bill of Rights do you?
Just imagine ... one day soon you'll look up & see a bee or a dragoon fly sitting looking in your window wondering if it's real or a drone spying on you .. and of course, next they will become "Killing Machines" ... oHHhhhhh I forgot ... they already are .. we use them daily to destroy our adversaries ..
I want my property to be made a "No Fly Zone" ... I guess all of us will need to own SAM's just to defend ourselves ... maybe mini SAM's will catch on to defend your home .. "Drone Killer" for your home ..
STOP the insanity .... before you destroy everything that this country stood for ....and humanity as well ..
#1.21 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 AM EST
Dick-2100935
In your imagination Obama is waiting for Drones to kill Americans. Don't you know if that was his intention he could use F16's and every other weapon the military has currently available to him. You know those weapons that an armed group of people will stop with their assault weapons so they can take over an intrusive government, as they imagine it also.
#1.22 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:43 AM EST
Smitty-4183671
lee @ post# 1.19 Please tell all of us where you got your information.
#1.23 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:16 AM EST
RalphH
The use of drones is a cowardly way to fight.
The people who have contol of the drones in America, will have control of the new world order they are seeking.
#1.24 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:17 AM EST
Mike S.-2262427
This actually sounds like a really fun job. Makes me want to rethink my choice of college when I get done with my 2 year degree. :p
#1.25 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:02 PM EST
Debi-1314897
The article seems to leave off a few other possible applications; such as, spying on citizens, arming the drones, and disbanding Constitutionally provided peaceful protests. One invisible and unseen drone should be able to control large populations. Law enforcement is biting at the bit in anticipation of playing god without even getting a hair out of place. That little California rolling stop you make when you think no one is around and you're the only one on the road, will land you a surprise ticket in the mail, courtesy of a drone. Hopefully someone will invent a way to remotely screw up their electronics.
Jo Ann:
You're 100% accurate. One need look no further than our "border" checkpoints, set up miles inside any U.S. border. All illegal border crossers know they're there and avoid them; only citizens who are travelling on those roads and must pass through them are the ones forced to comply with their less than Constitutional interrogations and searches.
sandmantruth:
I live in a city with a population of approximately 180,000, not the streets of big, bad Detroit and we own a police helicopter. It is absolutely overkill, expensive and annoying at 3:00am to hear this damn rust bucket swirling over and over again over my home. Just as using a drone, the helicopter is a wasted status symbol and our taxpayer funds would be much better spent elsewhere.
Bruce:
Our Constitutional rights have been lost to the New World Order.
#1.26 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:17 PM EST
It is time
It is true there could be and are some very good uses for drones and I'm glad to see they are trying to focus on the benefits of them. However, that doesn't change the negative aspects which are primarily invasion of privacy and spying on people. Before (not after) any licenses or rules to allow drones are okay'd privacy laws and strict restrictions need to be put in place to ensure no misuse. If this can't be done and current track records of lack privacy concerns are going to continue to be the norm then I'd have to say sorry charlie no dice and they don't need to be allowed. Until we put an end to the privacy invasion and keep handing over rights in the name of safety (ie large parts of patriot act) and have the right rules in place we will have to forgo the uses of this tech that could actually benefit us. Though I doubt this will happen but IMO that's at least how it should be done.
I agree with the other comments, why are we not using military personal to fly these? Or at very least pay a reasonable amount? 80-100K + in this case to watch a video feed? Give me a break. The private contractor nonsense is just one other reason why we have such a bloated DOD budget yet continue to get less for our money. Maybe hire the guy as a trainer but certainly have no need for 10 or 15 civilians flying these or watching video feeds at that price, and even then the military should be able to train one of theirs to become a trainer. So screwed up.
Back to the story at hand, I know probably a waste of time but I really do hope our elected ones we do what is right and get the right laws in place so this tech doesn't get abused.
It is time
#1.27 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:45 PM EST
Enneagram1
I wonder how that would work from several feet in the air.
#1.2 Urban Roman: Behave yourself and don't be rude to people, if that's possible. Your insults are juvenile and unwarranted.
#1.28 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
JR-3053574
I find it funny somebody is going to go pay for collage for drone flying. When kids are playing it on video games now for free.
#1.29 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
Debi-1314897
It is time:
You cannot hope or have any expectations for the government to do the right thing. Citizens have no right to privacy as witnessed by the facility built in Utah by our federal government to monitor and record ALLelectronic communications; i.e., your emails, cell phone calls, home phone calls if connected by internet, etc. For those that argue for the impossibility to sort through all that information, they are currently perfecting the software to do just that.
This is not the "land of the free" you, myself and every other school kid were/are dutifully propagandized into believing.
#1.30 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:58 PM EST
spider-737231
Oh my gawd, stupid is alive and well. First, we have somebody predicting that computers will eventually replace the drone "pilots"; uh, the drones are flown by computers now!....the "pilots" are in an office, at the keyboard.
Second, what the hell are all of you folks doing that you so fear the government spying on you? If you're that paranoid, just stay indoors....the drone cameras can't see through walls!
#1.31 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:10 PM EST
It is time
Debi - sad isn't? I hate to think that way too and like to hope it doesn't come to that and we can turn it around but unless we as American citizens come together and make a stand, don't see it having much of a chance in a realistic sense.
#1.32 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:22 PM EST
Jo Ann-666954
@kaybeetoys, I'm not a paranoid person at all. I just know how Obama works and these are baby steps. What I laugh about is the double standard.
Obama just announced that he is sending $155 million dollars in aid to Syria. US tax dollars being thrown away. This is something Obama & the left criticized Bush for doing. I remember during the 2008 campaign Obama saying we have problems that need to be dealt with at home in the criticism towards Bush.
Yet somehow all we hear is silence on the left when Obama is the one throwing away our money, money that should stay here to help with our problems. Silence from the left with this drone issue too.
#1.33 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:28 PM EST
Debi-1314897
spider:
I don't know what is worse; your ignorance or the government. Educate yourself and become part of the solution instead of the problem:
#1.34 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:37 PM EST
Frosty-3060541
At present, there are many problems with this technology, both physical and sociological.
These drones/U.A.V.s/flying cameras, etc., whatever one wishes to call them are being flown by young foot soldiers, that are earning nowhere near the salaries quoted in the article, given to civilian contractors. (I even have two small helicopters I bought in the local mall for my grandson and grandaughter to play with, and they are good at it.) The thing about these small units is they have such a short range, and air time endurance/weather endurance is very limited, as opposed to the large "killer" drones emplyed by the CIA and our military services, which are more like small to medium sized aircraft. A big problem outside of the exorbitant cost of the units and the contractors, is they take two people to operate them, not including the support staff to monitor every aspect of the flight, both electronically, and personally. One to actually do the flying, the other to man and control the video units. Nowhere is there an individual with a rotating neck/head to actually focus their binocular vision on possible collision possibilities, sitting in a cockpit to watch for other flying objects.
Right now, I'm waiting to hear of a mid air collision between one of these pieces of hardware/software and some civilian airliner, causeing massive loss of life. The government, in its infinite wisdom, is supposedly working on this problem, by limiting the airspace for civilian planes, all in the name of "National Security." Of course, it doesn't affect them, as they have the FAA declare "No Fly Zones" whereever they happen to be. Planes are not allowed anywhere near those bigshots, except MANNED, and armed, U.S. military aircraft.
This is an ongoing problem with our "national" leadership. They seem to think technology can defeat any enemy. One thing they constantly overlook is the ingenuity and deviousness of human kind, especially when it feels threatened. Look at the problems in every war in the last decades. The bigshots in Washington came up with all kinds of "smart" bombs, fighter planes with no guns, various other technology. In every single case, they have been delayed in gaining their objectives, and defeated, until they put "boots on the ground" in those conflicts.
And the enemy is just as smart as those politicians, if not smarter, in a lot of cases.
#1.35 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:50 PM EST
DaveyJonesDeetroit
Wow! Where-oh-where to begin?
DUAL USE TECHNOLOGY
ABUSE OF TECHNOLOGY
HUMAN NATURE
ROBOTICS
CIVIL LIBERTIES
JUDGEMENT DAY (as in the Terminator movie series)
Hmmm. How 'bout something that didn't get mentioned in the article, unless I missed it. We can use drones to monitor forest fires, sheep herds, law enforcement/public safety, as well as spying on U.S. Citizens going about their lives. HOW 'BOUT THE FREAKIN' 2000 mile BORDER with our neighbor to the south?? Nope, can't go there. Too many potential Democrat voters streaming in--whether or not they ever get citizenship and therefore legally vote. Gotta continue to ignore them to ensure the completion of the demographic shift that will ensure decades if not centuries of one party rule. Nope, no perverse incentives here...
How about CIVIL LIBERTIES??? Does ANYONE on the right or left of the so-called political spectrum trust that, given the opportunity, powerful people won't abuse another powerful technology to maintain their own power? "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton [www_lpboulder_com/quotes] Giving a government that knows no restraint, and does not abide by the law or the constitution to begin with now, new tools that allow it to have ever more power over its citizens, is there anything stopping an overwhelming totalitarian tyranny? You may not be paranoid, but that doesn't guarantee they aren't out to get you. Drones watching us? Wonder where the ACLU stands on this one? Civil Liberty advocacy groups, anyone? <<crickets chirping>>
How about the MOVIES??? Once command-and-control over the drones is given to networked computers, what would stop an enemy, or the computer network itself, from doing things with the drones we might not appreciate? The H-Ks (Hunter-Killers) of the Terminator series of movies comes to mind. As we increase our power over our environment and each other, do we have the wisdom (ethics, self-restraint and legal framework) to keep up with our new "toys?" Our "knowledge of good and evil" and culpability increases geometrically with each successive bite of the apple. Wonder if this is where Steve Jobs got his idea for his company's logo...
I want to have technology that helps us live, and I'm all for the peaceful use of dual-use military technology. Employing the unemployed is a laudable goal. Me thinks if you have reservations about how this technology has been used on the battlefield, you'll LOVE how it gets used on you.
#1.36 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:11 PM EST
Advertise | AdChoices
BlackandGold-1513340
Don't worry, in the very near future all these jobs will go to "undocumented workers" under the new immigration reform. It will give illegals the chance to show their patriotism.
#2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:42 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268 Comment collapsed by the community
Oh Please! give it a break! The last time I looked, Universities and colleges were there for everybody that WANTED to get an education!.
If illegal aliens wish to pursue an education, all the lazy US citizens that do not want to pursue a degree in math and science deserve to be REPLACED, either by drones or illegals.
#2.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:09 AM EST
James-964528
IRESPOND, you seem to imply that the only education worth having is math and science. History might help a little, with a dose of morals and ethics, and maybe a little common sense. Drones are the first step to a police state. Its amazing how Americans are so obsessed with their 2nd Ammendments right but don't have sense enough to see how the real slippery slope argument applies to privacy. In 10 years, the only liberty will be to liberty to have a gun and that won't do a lot of good in a police state when your every move is under surveillance.
#2.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Irespond agreed. I am in the middle of my computer science degree and I am maybe one of 3 US citizens in all of my advanced classes. I am embarassed but it keeps me motivated because apparently we are representing our whole country.
@ James I wanted a History major (I really enjoy History) but the job market sees the focuses of the degrees you have mentioned as lazy and oversaturated.
I know I cannot speak for the entire country, this is just my personal experience of being an old f**t trying to finish my degree.
#2.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:18 AM EST
Dick-2100935
Does this mean we will no longer have a corporate state where the corporation is "Big Brother?"
#2.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:32 AM EST
ProFreedom-5130956
Sorry, but providing illegals opportunities to go to school and jobs isn't fair to the citizens and those who entered this country legally.
Big Brother is watching you!
#2.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:10 AM EST
Dawgfan-4710266
Irespond,
Illegals need to pay out of state tutition. Why should an illegal take a spot of a Natural Born US Citizen, and then pay in-state-tutition because they lied on the applications about their legal status?
#2.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:38 AM EST
lee-936758
A single shot shotgun will bring one down...........
No, the only shooting he does is between the toes so that he can keep his self-induced me me me agenda going.
People like you are the problem.
If you want to disagree with something the President does or says thats one thing.
But when you just attack him with rediculous nonsense like this you are obviously following some Fox news agenda.
Its the very reason the country and the world has rejected the Republican Party.
Keep it up.
Johnny, I was just wondering who he was talking to...
No when you rob Peter to pay Paul, Paul will vote for you every time. That is how he won.
joe mama-2591591 I guess those are the only words you can say as you said that now several times including one in a reply to me?
No. But the truth hurts doesn't it.
Before ANYTHING is done, we MUST secure the boarder or we will be in the same boat another 10 years from now, kinda like p i s s e n in the wind, it's pretty STUPID
Stupid is not knowing how to spell 'border'.
How is closing the borders going to stop people at the airport that come to the US on tourist visa's? That is how my South African friend arrived 20 yrs ago. Now she has her own business and yes, pays taxes, too. But that wouldn't fit in your stereotypical nonsense about securing our "boarders".
il·le·gal
/iˈlēgəl/
Adjective
Contrary to or forbidden by law, esp. criminal law: "illegal drugs".
Noun
An illegal immigrant.
Synonyms
unlawful - illicit - illegitimate - lawless - wrongful
Who are we talking about again? Oh yes, that's right. ILLEGAL Immigrants. I have no problem with hispanics/asians/or any other race coming to America. But there is a right way and a wrong way. I don't understand how this is even a discussion. Since when do we agree/condone anything that our country has deemed illegal. If it was okay how they were entering this country the word, " illegal" wouldn't have to be used. I have many friends of different races and backgrounds and you know who should really decide on this? The legal immigrants who came to this country. I worked at a dry cleaners back in my highschool days and the owners were of Italian descent. 100% percent Italian to be exact. They came here legally, years ago. They said that if they had to do it the right way all immigrants should. I don't see what the problem with them coming legally is. But then apparently we are the prejudice bad guys when all we want is for them to enter into our country the way our country has established. So that they can become true citizens of the united states. Go and try to live in another country ILLEGALLY and see if they are okay with that.
Perhaps if the job creators were more willing to hire documented workers at a living wage with benefits there would be far fewer people coming here. Unfortunately, that cuts into profits so our capitalist system generates incentives for illegal immigration.
Under Prsident Obama there are less and less illegals trying to cross the border every year and more illegals being deported than ever before. This is the first President to even address the situation. Republicans luv to talk about it but never do anything about it. Typical
Thats because the economy sucks genius.
Johnny- Read the rest of the news today?
joe mama - No wonder my 401K is going gangbusters as the stock market is on the uptick - despite Republican intransigence. It's because the economy sucks. Got it. /snark
The stock market always does good when interest rates are held artificially low and the federal reserve injects money into the market. You know what comes after that????? Inflation!
I see you are from commiefornia.
Its hard to listen to Obama speaking to a group of illegals in Nevada, he is his usual lying POS.
FU dimwit.
ragequitter
These pilots will be replaced by computers as technology advances in the near future. They might be able to land a job monitoring some of the computers.
#1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:33 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
How many pilots do you need? Unless we are thinking in replacing the whole army with drones!
That actually would be nice!
#1.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:06 AM EST
Urban Roman
I'm laughing at your ignorance when I should be crying. You are a fine example of the failed public school system. Good thing for you they have Internet in La La Land, because your 1/2 bubble off plumb.
#1.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:20 AM EST
FedupwithFed
Well that's comforting....(rolls eyes)
#1.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:25 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268
Boy! You are early insulting people. If I am an example of ignorance in Public Schools, you are an example of what is WRONG with people in this country: Instead of explaining things, resources to insult and name calling, thinking that nobody else is worthy.
I go back to my bubble if you back to the place where people like you exist. Think: Heaven for flies!!!!
#1.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:58 AM EST
Ranman87
Yes, because ad hominem attacks are the basis of rational arguments, right?
#1.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:12 AM EST
lee-936758
What's next? A class on the New Progressive Constitution? THIS IS WHY OUR 2nd AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY!
#1.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:28 AM EST
Max^108
I hope they start the domestic drone program by using it to patrol the border with Mexico.
#1.7 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
JohnBrowning
It's good to see that someone is profiting from our loss of liberty in this brave new world.
#1.8 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:59 AM EST
C-1059824
I hate poachers but the thought of thousands of drones whirling around spying on all of us all the time seems awfully 1984'ish, even if it is done by civilian companies versus the government. That sounds terrible, I hope that never happens.
#1.9 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:03 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Ranman87 Yay! Fallacy check! I enjoyed that.
@ lee Benjamin Franklin written that the Constitution was just for beginning of the New Country and one should be generated every 10 to 15 years. The Constitution when created was nothing more than a rewrite of 12th century Magna Charta.
@ max They have been using drones to patrol our border for almost a decade.
Unmanned vehicles are becoming more and more popular for actual practical purposes than killin bad guys and peeking in your windows. I am excited to hear about these programs becoming available.
#1.10 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:08 AM EST
Dick-2100935
America leads the way again! Congratulations to all in the Drone technology field.
#1.11 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:35 AM EST
had-enough-470242
I would take this as a grain of salt and do more research before jumping in. Private contractors working with the military in a war zone will always pay good. Hell, even truck drivers are easily making 80-120k tax free over there.
#1.12 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:58 AM EST
Jo Ann-666954
This should bother every American citizen. Sadly, the majority of Americans are too stupid to realize the danger in this.
The program will not be used for the borders. They will say it is but its only a cover. Open your eyes. It's going to be used on us, the American citizens.
#1.13 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:16 AM EST
smittyg
Yeah, teaching people to fly drones to spy on and kill your fellow Americans, what a douche.
#1.14 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:19 AM EST
Sgation
I don't know what to say anymore. Damn Internetz
#1.15 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:30 AM EST
Max^108
It is amazing to see US government outsourcing jobs that used to be done by low paid US soldiers to private contractors with salaries in six figures. That seems to be the only reason we wage these stupid wars - to siphon money from the Treasury into the pockets of Washington insiders who own and run these 'service' companies. US 'defense' sector (it is actually always 'offense') = biggest scam in the world.
#1.16 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:41 AM EST
kaybeetoys
Please explain. That sounds somewhat paranoid from my perspective.
#1.17 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:46 AM EST
sandmantruth
Money before country; this is what our Congress is and what we have become. The drones will be operated by the World Government's "contractors" to make sure any Americans attempting to restore American sovereignty are held in check. There are sellouts in every country and they just buy them out with money since they print the money. This should be considered treason.
There is no reason to operate 10,000 drones here. How is a drone operated remotely going to make Americans any safer than a local police officer? In addition, how do we know that American citizens will be operating the drones as well? Sounds like one way to make more people unemployed if you are going to cut back on the police force as a result.
#1.18 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:47 AM EST
lee-936758
smittg:
Obama and Assad think the same! These drones will be used for spying (and killing) Americans....
#1.19 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:50 AM EST
Bruce-308647
It will start with patrolling the borders and tracking forest fires, but will slowly and steadily morph into an all-country surveillance program where you could be watched and tracked at any time. I find it interesting that Roe V Wade is based on a constitutional "right to privacy", and yet in no other areas of life (and law) do we seem to have this same sacred right to privacy. Cameras are in stores, parking lots, intersections, etc. The administration just sold their mailing lists to leftist activist groups. Gun owners are pinpointed on a map....
My question is simple... Do we or do we NOT have a constitutional right to privacy?
#1.20 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:56 AM EST
moonbeamracer
Drone On! ... Privacy ... What Privacy ? ... Lol ... just a buzzzzz word used to imply something that is becoming non existent as technology pushes the envelope ..
You don't really believe our forefathers thought we should be protected by a Constitution with a Bill of Rights do you?
Just imagine ... one day soon you'll look up & see a bee or a dragoon fly sitting looking in your window wondering if it's real or a drone spying on you .. and of course, next they will become "Killing Machines" ... oHHhhhhh I forgot ... they already are .. we use them daily to destroy our adversaries ..
I want my property to be made a "No Fly Zone" ... I guess all of us will need to own SAM's just to defend ourselves ... maybe mini SAM's will catch on to defend your home .. "Drone Killer" for your home ..
STOP the insanity .... before you destroy everything that this country stood for ....and humanity as well ..
#1.21 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:26 AM EST
Dick-2100935
In your imagination Obama is waiting for Drones to kill Americans. Don't you know if that was his intention he could use F16's and every other weapon the military has currently available to him. You know those weapons that an armed group of people will stop with their assault weapons so they can take over an intrusive government, as they imagine it also.
#1.22 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:43 AM EST
Smitty-4183671
lee @ post# 1.19 Please tell all of us where you got your information.
#1.23 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:16 AM EST
RalphH
The use of drones is a cowardly way to fight.
The people who have contol of the drones in America, will have control of the new world order they are seeking.
#1.24 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:17 AM EST
Mike S.-2262427
This actually sounds like a really fun job. Makes me want to rethink my choice of college when I get done with my 2 year degree. :p
#1.25 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:02 PM EST
Debi-1314897
The article seems to leave off a few other possible applications; such as, spying on citizens, arming the drones, and disbanding Constitutionally provided peaceful protests. One invisible and unseen drone should be able to control large populations. Law enforcement is biting at the bit in anticipation of playing god without even getting a hair out of place. That little California rolling stop you make when you think no one is around and you're the only one on the road, will land you a surprise ticket in the mail, courtesy of a drone. Hopefully someone will invent a way to remotely screw up their electronics.
Jo Ann:
You're 100% accurate. One need look no further than our "border" checkpoints, set up miles inside any U.S. border. All illegal border crossers know they're there and avoid them; only citizens who are travelling on those roads and must pass through them are the ones forced to comply with their less than Constitutional interrogations and searches.
sandmantruth:
I live in a city with a population of approximately 180,000, not the streets of big, bad Detroit and we own a police helicopter. It is absolutely overkill, expensive and annoying at 3:00am to hear this damn rust bucket swirling over and over again over my home. Just as using a drone, the helicopter is a wasted status symbol and our taxpayer funds would be much better spent elsewhere.
Bruce:
Our Constitutional rights have been lost to the New World Order.
#1.26 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:17 PM EST
It is time
It is true there could be and are some very good uses for drones and I'm glad to see they are trying to focus on the benefits of them. However, that doesn't change the negative aspects which are primarily invasion of privacy and spying on people. Before (not after) any licenses or rules to allow drones are okay'd privacy laws and strict restrictions need to be put in place to ensure no misuse. If this can't be done and current track records of lack privacy concerns are going to continue to be the norm then I'd have to say sorry charlie no dice and they don't need to be allowed. Until we put an end to the privacy invasion and keep handing over rights in the name of safety (ie large parts of patriot act) and have the right rules in place we will have to forgo the uses of this tech that could actually benefit us. Though I doubt this will happen but IMO that's at least how it should be done.
I agree with the other comments, why are we not using military personal to fly these? Or at very least pay a reasonable amount? 80-100K + in this case to watch a video feed? Give me a break. The private contractor nonsense is just one other reason why we have such a bloated DOD budget yet continue to get less for our money. Maybe hire the guy as a trainer but certainly have no need for 10 or 15 civilians flying these or watching video feeds at that price, and even then the military should be able to train one of theirs to become a trainer. So screwed up.
Back to the story at hand, I know probably a waste of time but I really do hope our elected ones we do what is right and get the right laws in place so this tech doesn't get abused.
It is time
#1.27 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:45 PM EST
Enneagram1
I wonder how that would work from several feet in the air.
#1.2 Urban Roman: Behave yourself and don't be rude to people, if that's possible. Your insults are juvenile and unwarranted.
#1.28 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
JR-3053574
I find it funny somebody is going to go pay for collage for drone flying. When kids are playing it on video games now for free.
#1.29 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:56 PM EST
Debi-1314897
It is time:
You cannot hope or have any expectations for the government to do the right thing. Citizens have no right to privacy as witnessed by the facility built in Utah by our federal government to monitor and record ALLelectronic communications; i.e., your emails, cell phone calls, home phone calls if connected by internet, etc. For those that argue for the impossibility to sort through all that information, they are currently perfecting the software to do just that.
This is not the "land of the free" you, myself and every other school kid were/are dutifully propagandized into believing.
#1.30 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:58 PM EST
spider-737231
Oh my gawd, stupid is alive and well. First, we have somebody predicting that computers will eventually replace the drone "pilots"; uh, the drones are flown by computers now!....the "pilots" are in an office, at the keyboard.
Second, what the hell are all of you folks doing that you so fear the government spying on you? If you're that paranoid, just stay indoors....the drone cameras can't see through walls!
#1.31 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:10 PM EST
It is time
Debi - sad isn't? I hate to think that way too and like to hope it doesn't come to that and we can turn it around but unless we as American citizens come together and make a stand, don't see it having much of a chance in a realistic sense.
#1.32 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:22 PM EST
Jo Ann-666954
@kaybeetoys, I'm not a paranoid person at all. I just know how Obama works and these are baby steps. What I laugh about is the double standard.
Obama just announced that he is sending $155 million dollars in aid to Syria. US tax dollars being thrown away. This is something Obama & the left criticized Bush for doing. I remember during the 2008 campaign Obama saying we have problems that need to be dealt with at home in the criticism towards Bush.
Yet somehow all we hear is silence on the left when Obama is the one throwing away our money, money that should stay here to help with our problems. Silence from the left with this drone issue too.
#1.33 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:28 PM EST
Debi-1314897
spider:
I don't know what is worse; your ignorance or the government. Educate yourself and become part of the solution instead of the problem:
#1.34 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:37 PM EST
Frosty-3060541
At present, there are many problems with this technology, both physical and sociological.
These drones/U.A.V.s/flying cameras, etc., whatever one wishes to call them are being flown by young foot soldiers, that are earning nowhere near the salaries quoted in the article, given to civilian contractors. (I even have two small helicopters I bought in the local mall for my grandson and grandaughter to play with, and they are good at it.) The thing about these small units is they have such a short range, and air time endurance/weather endurance is very limited, as opposed to the large "killer" drones emplyed by the CIA and our military services, which are more like small to medium sized aircraft. A big problem outside of the exorbitant cost of the units and the contractors, is they take two people to operate them, not including the support staff to monitor every aspect of the flight, both electronically, and personally. One to actually do the flying, the other to man and control the video units. Nowhere is there an individual with a rotating neck/head to actually focus their binocular vision on possible collision possibilities, sitting in a cockpit to watch for other flying objects.
Right now, I'm waiting to hear of a mid air collision between one of these pieces of hardware/software and some civilian airliner, causeing massive loss of life. The government, in its infinite wisdom, is supposedly working on this problem, by limiting the airspace for civilian planes, all in the name of "National Security." Of course, it doesn't affect them, as they have the FAA declare "No Fly Zones" whereever they happen to be. Planes are not allowed anywhere near those bigshots, except MANNED, and armed, U.S. military aircraft.
This is an ongoing problem with our "national" leadership. They seem to think technology can defeat any enemy. One thing they constantly overlook is the ingenuity and deviousness of human kind, especially when it feels threatened. Look at the problems in every war in the last decades. The bigshots in Washington came up with all kinds of "smart" bombs, fighter planes with no guns, various other technology. In every single case, they have been delayed in gaining their objectives, and defeated, until they put "boots on the ground" in those conflicts.
And the enemy is just as smart as those politicians, if not smarter, in a lot of cases.
#1.35 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:50 PM EST
DaveyJonesDeetroit
Wow! Where-oh-where to begin?
DUAL USE TECHNOLOGY
ABUSE OF TECHNOLOGY
HUMAN NATURE
ROBOTICS
CIVIL LIBERTIES
JUDGEMENT DAY (as in the Terminator movie series)
Hmmm. How 'bout something that didn't get mentioned in the article, unless I missed it. We can use drones to monitor forest fires, sheep herds, law enforcement/public safety, as well as spying on U.S. Citizens going about their lives. HOW 'BOUT THE FREAKIN' 2000 mile BORDER with our neighbor to the south?? Nope, can't go there. Too many potential Democrat voters streaming in--whether or not they ever get citizenship and therefore legally vote. Gotta continue to ignore them to ensure the completion of the demographic shift that will ensure decades if not centuries of one party rule. Nope, no perverse incentives here...
How about CIVIL LIBERTIES??? Does ANYONE on the right or left of the so-called political spectrum trust that, given the opportunity, powerful people won't abuse another powerful technology to maintain their own power? "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton [www_lpboulder_com/quotes] Giving a government that knows no restraint, and does not abide by the law or the constitution to begin with now, new tools that allow it to have ever more power over its citizens, is there anything stopping an overwhelming totalitarian tyranny? You may not be paranoid, but that doesn't guarantee they aren't out to get you. Drones watching us? Wonder where the ACLU stands on this one? Civil Liberty advocacy groups, anyone? <<crickets chirping>>
How about the MOVIES??? Once command-and-control over the drones is given to networked computers, what would stop an enemy, or the computer network itself, from doing things with the drones we might not appreciate? The H-Ks (Hunter-Killers) of the Terminator series of movies comes to mind. As we increase our power over our environment and each other, do we have the wisdom (ethics, self-restraint and legal framework) to keep up with our new "toys?" Our "knowledge of good and evil" and culpability increases geometrically with each successive bite of the apple. Wonder if this is where Steve Jobs got his idea for his company's logo...
I want to have technology that helps us live, and I'm all for the peaceful use of dual-use military technology. Employing the unemployed is a laudable goal. Me thinks if you have reservations about how this technology has been used on the battlefield, you'll LOVE how it gets used on you.
#1.36 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:11 PM EST
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BlackandGold-1513340
Don't worry, in the very near future all these jobs will go to "undocumented workers" under the new immigration reform. It will give illegals the chance to show their patriotism.
#2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:42 AM EST
IRESPOND-2315268 Comment collapsed by the community
Oh Please! give it a break! The last time I looked, Universities and colleges were there for everybody that WANTED to get an education!.
If illegal aliens wish to pursue an education, all the lazy US citizens that do not want to pursue a degree in math and science deserve to be REPLACED, either by drones or illegals.
#2.1 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:09 AM EST
James-964528
IRESPOND, you seem to imply that the only education worth having is math and science. History might help a little, with a dose of morals and ethics, and maybe a little common sense. Drones are the first step to a police state. Its amazing how Americans are so obsessed with their 2nd Ammendments right but don't have sense enough to see how the real slippery slope argument applies to privacy. In 10 years, the only liberty will be to liberty to have a gun and that won't do a lot of good in a police state when your every move is under surveillance.
#2.2 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:50 AM EST
Bryan-2698455
@ Irespond agreed. I am in the middle of my computer science degree and I am maybe one of 3 US citizens in all of my advanced classes. I am embarassed but it keeps me motivated because apparently we are representing our whole country.
@ James I wanted a History major (I really enjoy History) but the job market sees the focuses of the degrees you have mentioned as lazy and oversaturated.
I know I cannot speak for the entire country, this is just my personal experience of being an old f**t trying to finish my degree.
#2.3 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:18 AM EST
Dick-2100935
Does this mean we will no longer have a corporate state where the corporation is "Big Brother?"
#2.4 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:32 AM EST
ProFreedom-5130956
Sorry, but providing illegals opportunities to go to school and jobs isn't fair to the citizens and those who entered this country legally.
Big Brother is watching you!
#2.5 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:10 AM EST
Dawgfan-4710266
Irespond,
Illegals need to pay out of state tutition. Why should an illegal take a spot of a Natural Born US Citizen, and then pay in-state-tutition because they lied on the applications about their legal status?
#2.6 - Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:38 AM EST
lee-936758
A single shot shotgun will bring one down...........
Did you finish eating the grilled cheese sandwich Mommy made for you?
Obama will make the republicans roll over on this one too... When are you people going to understand that Barack Hussein Obama is the best president this country ever had... He will dictate and the GOP will obey ...LMFAO ............Viva Mexico!!
Uhhhhhh.......no.
Phuch Mexico.
Obama has been the Caver In Chief.
If the House says no, then the answer will be no and the policy will not change. Obama has no choice but to do as Congress tells him or he fails again.
There already is a way for illegals to become citizens; it's called "naturalization" where they attend classes on the "American Way" and pass a test. We already have laws in place why not enforce them? This is just a ploy to have a permanent Democrat voting block, nothing more!
Yeah, and McCain and the other republicans that support the legislation are in on the conspiracy.
Whoda thunk it ?
What is the class on the "American way"
What do they teach?
Liberals just hate LEGAL immigrants.
They do?
How do you know?
Did Rush or fox news tell you that or do you have any other knowledge of the world outside what right wing media forces into your brain?
Look at what the liberals have done to the black families since the 60's.
I may not like Rush Limbaugh or Foxnews but at least they have the courage to speak up against the President for something they don't think is right. They are the only media outlets not kissing the Presidents bum.
They don't think its not right, they know its not right.
Must learn English? LOL
The Mexicans are really laughing at this one!
We don't enforce our immigration laws, in this country, but you HAD BETTER LEARN ENGLISH, OR ELSE!
Oh I'm sure that'll happen along with me winning the lottery.....
pup,
Yeah, we already just told the world that our laws don't matter. At best they are now just guidelines.
What a pile of horse manure !!!
No one is taking your job away. I am sure you can get by not picking fruit, cleaning houses,
being a short order cook, babysitting ,shoveling horse manure etc.
There are 1000s of jobs if you really look hard enough.
You don't need the newest and latest weapon to hunt or protect yourself you want it.
You don't need to hunt you want to hunt.
A 12 gauge shotgun works just fine to protect yourself . Or a handgun if need be.
You need a license in most states to hunt. Why don't you need a license to sell a gun?
I don't much care for either Democrats or Republicans.
I have noticed the difference between the two is a Democrat can't sleep at night worrying how to pay their bills. A Republican can't sleep at night worrying which bankruptcy Lawyer to pick.
A normal person has to wait up to 10 years to clear their credit through Bankruptcy.
A Corporation can be back in business the next day. All this at the expense of the shareholders of the bank that gave the loan. This is actually a good law. If you have this many people in the country and you make them legal . They can help be a watchdog for illegals. We already feed them and give them medical care.
Why not get them to pay taxes ? The dumbest law in history was allowing depositories( which are guaranteed by the FDIC) to merge with investment banks. They don't bail out banks because they want to.
They bail out banks because they have to. It is cheaper to bail out the banks than paying off depositors.
The problem is, if those workers were legal, the libs would have to pay them more.
So, it's best to let them sneak in at night and then exploit them for cheap labor.
John,
Interesting. I agree with some of what you say. However, your determination of my needs is irrelevant. and inconsequential.
So far, I am doing fine and have been retired for 4 years this month. Seems my determination of what I want/need have been pretty good for me.
Obama wants to compare his Illegal Immigrants to the immigrants that came to the United States thru Ellis Island and became citoizens lawfully. Obama's new citizens are here illegally - what does he not understand about that concept. Face it - it's just one more way to suck the life out of all taxpayers, to overload the system. This is BULL$hIT!!!
Cloward Piven stragety in full force.
More deportations under Pres Obamas 4 yrs than Bushes 8.
Leave it to Republicans to be so uninformed.
typical
Then why are there 11 million more here if he is doing a super duper job?
More deportations, less illegals crossing the border under Obama.
Get a clue joemama, you can use a thing called Google if you don't want to live in fox news induced cluelessness your whole life.
How about a crappy economy? I think you need to do some googling yourself.
That's because the economy was in the tank for 4 years! Even the Mexicans didn't want to come!
But they are still crossing. Not acceptable.
NO ILLEGALS FOR ANY REASON!!!
I am listening to Obama's speech in Las Vegas as I write this. He pretty much parrots what the Senators have announced and most if it is fairly reasonable.
He does have a real issue confusing the problems Americans have concerning LEGAL vs. ILLEGAL immigrants. His attempt to lump them together and make arguments for new immigration policy , which we definitely need, makes the issue murky.
The vast majority of Americans have no problem with immigrants - IF - they come here legally.
Everyone living in the USA today are here due to immigration from somewhere. There are no truly "native Americans"; the Indians are simply early Siberian immigrants. When they got to North America, there were other groups, such as the Mound Builders, already in place but who now cease to exist.
The real sticking point will be how to handle the illegals here now and ensuring that we have NO MORE coming across once how to handle those here already is determined. The border MUST be secured or we achieve nothing with this action.
By the way, Obama can "insist", as he said in the speech, that Congress act soon on this, but he cannot make them do anything.
Look how we screwed up their land?
FruVegge,
What is the point of your question? It would make sense if it was a statement but it would still be incorrect.
"Their" land? Whose? The Indians? We took it in warfare as was the custom back then.
Stronger civilizations normally overcome weaker.