Benghazi, Drones and Second Amendment (1 of 2)

Today's drones have a pilot somewhere.  Tommorow it will require a $10/hr rent a cop.  Technology evolves.

Nixon and the Clintons BOTH spied on civilians for personal gain.  This technology will be abused at all levels of government.

In my entire life I've never questioned cops having guns.  Go look up Rosie the dog (throat punch worthy news story) and see if you don't question that.  If any other jerk off came to your house and shot your dog who did nothing but be there... (fill in the blank of what you would do...), but because they have a badge. 

The analogy to Germany in the 1930's is totally valid here.  Once government has power, they don't give it up.

If a helicoptor lands on your property at night and you shine a flash light on it- that's a federal offense- more than one person has gone to jail for that.  What happens if I take down a government drone spying on me?  

A person who trades liberty for safety deserves neither.  At some point I'd prefer I just be the one who holds my own gun against the bad guys.

Great podcast, Brandon.  To you, too, Quin.  Thanks guys for rocking it again.

Bandwidth limitations. As a satellite guy, this I can tell you.

Good day.  I find that I am straddling the fence a bit.  I am a conservative that is too somewhat concerned with the eroding of rights and liberties afforded to us, those that I also fought to uphold and preserve (as one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children during the first Gulf War).

When I was out in DC this past week trying to scare up some business, late in the evening (after throwing a few back with TL and other friends), I returned to my room in the hotel to see the filibuster in full swing.  During same, a Democratic representative briefly took the floor and made what I believe to be a darn good point.  To paraphrase, my take away from the gentleman's dialog was that it is just a weapon that is a tool like any other weapon that would be employed by law enforcement or armed members of any number of different agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, as a tool with which to ensure their own safety and the safety of the citizens that they are protecting.

I've been thinking long and hard about this since the filibuster and after listening to Trav's dialog herein.  I find that I am of the opinion (yes I know, we all have them...) that, in the end, deadly force is deadly force; And, as long as due process is adhered to (can be as granular as an officer assessing the situation and making an informed decision to squeeze a round off at an armed assailant attempting to murder a single victim, to as nebulous as a defining multiple CoAs during multi-agency assault planning on domestically entrenched groups of assailants (regardless of their platform, citizenship, ethnicity, or gender) plotting to commit evil upon the citizens of this fine country).

It is my opinion that, as long as the laws governing the use of (aerially-deployed) deadly force are adhered to, and that due process prevails, that we should seriously consider endorsing and supporting US LEAs and DoD Agencies employing this technology in support of their domestic missions.

Seriously, after peeling back the layers of hype and drama, what the hell is the difference, really?  If you break the law, then you're opening yourself up to the consequences.  If you don't want to end up centered in the reticles of an EO/IR sensor equip'd UAV with Bottled Hell hanging from their wings then, like so eloquently phrased in the Jim Carey movie 'Liar Liar', "STOP BREAKING THE LAW, ASSHOLE!" (http://youtu.be/rVnplh7gnlU)

Frankly, I wouldn't mind knowing that there are some MQ-9s circling overhead with hellfire missiles hanging off their wings waiting to rain bloody effin terror on some asshat(s) that desperately deserve(s) it (again, regardless of their citizenship, ethnicity, or gender) - if you play with fire, you're gonna get burnt.  It'd only take a few times before these jackasses started to think twice about pulling shite like that, I believe.

Imagine the lives that could be saved by pickling one off at an assailant that is _________ ( <-- put whatever there – plotting an assignation, leading a high-speed pursuit, barricaded in a clock tower with a scoped rifle, aiding terrorists, trafficking our young, transporting drugs, ...)  and killing innocent members of society, or this country’s leadership, through no fault of their own.

Granted, there will have to be new laws created, existing laws amended, etc. to ensure that due process is conformed with.  However, as Travis alluded to, there is time as our National Air Space (NAS) is not yet ready for widespread deployment of UAVs, nor will it be for years to come.  Sense and Avoid technology has a long way to come before the FAA really considers allowing Remotely Piloted Vehicles (UAVs/RPVs/UAS') to co-exist with manned aircraft.  Yes, it will eventually happen, but I am guessing no sooner than 2018-2020.

And, for the record, I have been in the Aerospace industry since the mid-80's.  In 2010 I was responsible for landing a contract to modify one of NASA's manned fixed-wing platforms with systems that will eventually be used to perform testing and validation in direct support of integrating UAS' in the NAS.  I think I know just a little bit of what I spew.

OK, I have pontificated long e'nuf.  Take care.

Flame away.  ;-)

-t

Nice convo, but Travis is missing the point, it's not about what aircraft or method, but rather the egregious violation of our Constitutional rights and the precedent that would be set if the President or other high ranking officials become judge, jury and executioner to American citizens without any due process. I'm no lefty or bleeding heart ACLU guy, but this is just out of hand.

Here's a link to some video from June 2012, shot in the market in the "Democratic" Republic of Congo. The level of corruption in some of these countries is incredible.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/19/ivory-wars-discovery-channel_n_1609278.html

Spectacular show!  Good to see y'all back.

I would like to see Mr. Webb do an interview with the seal's who are doing Rhino war's..

As I listen, I can't help be reminded of Germany in the 30's and 40's every time Travis said, "It's not going to happen"  Even if drones are not employed we must not rest on our laurels and think we are safe.  This current government is now the enemy with billions of dollars at their disposal to keep us on line or take us out. 

Great show once again.  Looking forward to the next show!

This was a show worth waiting for!

lmao!!! omg that recording of Jake laughing is awesome....

Is the Jake Zweig Laugh ringtone available for download?

Jake's comment about people who got fired get promoted makes me think of Office Space when Peter gets promoted for doing nothing. lol

 @SOFREP  @Chairborne Commandos Radio thanks; traveling tomorrow so i will have something great to listen to!

Hell yeah, that's what we like to hear, ValliKhan!

Can't wait to listen to it on my drive to work :)