Col. Ann Wright: America’s Drones Are Homeward Bound

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



America’s Drones Are Homeward Bound

Posted on Jul 17, 2012
By Col. Ann Wright


Americans have been protesting and getting arrested at U.S. drone bases and research institutions for years, and some members of Congress are starting to respond to the pressure.

But it’s not that drones are being used to extrajudicially execute people, including Americans, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia that has U.S. lawmakers concerned. Rather it’s the possible and probable violation of Americans’ privacy in the United States by unlawful drone surveillance that has caught the attention of legislators.

Rep. Jeff Landry, R-La., says “there is distrust amongst the people who have come and discussed this issue with me about our government. It’s raising alarm with the American public.” Based on those discussions, Landry has placed a provision in a defense spending bill that would prohibit information gathered by drones without a warrant from being used as evidence in court.

Two other legislators, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced identical bills to bar any government agency from using a drone without a warrant to “gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or conduct in violation of a regulation.” ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/americas_drones_are_homeward_bound_20120717/

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[2pooped2pop]

2. Colonel Ann Wright is

a good person. A hero. Wasn't she a diplomat and Colonel who quit because of the illegal Iraqi invasion? Stood up and said what she thought and backed it up with her actions. I met her at Camp Casey where she was filling in the duties roster. You can't really say no to Col. Ann, so down to watch over the cars I went. lol

Saw her again in DC.

Of course she doesn't remember me now from squat but she is sure a person that I am glad to have on our side.

[tularetom]

3. Odd isn't it that republicans are suddenly all concerned about privacy issues

Ten years ago they were all jumping backwards through their own assholes to pass the patriot act, opening the door to the biggest invasion of privacy in many years.

You'd think they would love those drones. Wonder why they don't?

[malthaussen]

4. Short-term opportunism?

They don't like the drones because a Democratic administration is running them, and they fear they will be targets? Put the drones in the hands of the Good Old Boys, and the objections would magically disappear.

-- Mal