You know how all the sci-fi shows about a dystopian future show the citizens being surveilled by small flying units? Guess what, it’s now coming true in Texas. The same battle field technology used (illegally) in conflicts abroad is now being purchased by domestic police departments using federal dollars. My favorite line from the article is
“We’re not going to use it to be invading somebody’s privacy. It’ll be used for situations we have with criminals,” Gage said.
Wow, if you believe that then I have a bridge in New York I’d like to sell you. Just look at how they have been using counter-terrorism laws that were rushed onto the books as charges against completely unrelated offenses just a couple of years after 9/11. What say you?
New Police Drone Near Houston Could Carry Weapons
Update 12/12/11: Perfect example [LA Times]
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Wonder if they will use them at the Occupy protests.
Under the guise of “crowd control” or some other euphemism I would say it’s an almost certainty that it will be used to record peaceful protests.