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And the drug war droned on and on
NOTE: Something’s happening with my posts. I don’t know whether it’s my computer, my technique, traffic, the server (Cox), or the Reader website. First, I couldn’t reply to a post—“it” would just hang up. Tried again, same. Tried posting a “new” comment, and it went through. Tried that again today via the “new comment” box, and that didn’t go through either. I’m having to re-compose for this one, and who knows if it will work? Any ideas? I’d love to have a drone, but I have to put all my money into my airplane. I want the FAA and the FCC to require a single-frequency signal that real aircraft could transmit that would invoke a program to revoke the programmed flight path(s) or operator inputs and return the thing(s) back to sender(s) at low altitude (clear of obstructions) with a record of the flight path stored for investigators to check. All police agencies should be required to respond to all alerts (eventually, this will be an employment act for police, but hey, if they are going to be inspecting my shower . . . ). The drone industry should be required to properly equip all drones retroactively with these capabilities, and pay for the installation of all such “jammers” in all registered aircraft. This equipment should only affect drones that come into dangerous proximity to registered aircraft, so the effective range should be short. This way, no damage to drones, no damage to aircraft, no death to pilots and passengers or damage to cargo. And, if I have one on my property, that would send the drone back to its owner too. Otherwise, a moratorium on drone flying and manufacture seems the only option to prevent major disaster/backlash. Know this: If I ever encounter a drone in my airspace I will call the local cops and file charges. Same for any that I see overhead. I believe you, Dan, but why not send me a link to your source(s)? Tw— August 16, 2015 3:34 p.m.
And the drug war droned on and on
Re: Don Bauder Aug. 15, 2015 @ 4:48 p.m. danfogel Aug. 15, 2015 @ 9:55 a.m. Dan, I forgot where I heard that. I always like to be corrected with correct, preferably referenced, linked, if possible, information. I agree with your implication that all statements should be backed up in the first place--"my bad." Rules, schmules; bills, schmills. The important point that keeps getting missed is that the people who will "misuse" (to put is absurdly mildly) drones, even hobby drones, don't need no stinkin' badges and don't give a rat's ass about rules and bills--those are for people who already want to operate safely. But using them for deliveries is a cockamamie, stupid idea. What goes up must come down, and as the number of drones goes every more steeply up, the greater the chances of their coming down on your head, delivery package and all. More than a knot, I suspect. We are swiftly moving from the realm of possibility to the realm of probability, and if we don't get our heads back out where the sun shines, innocent people are going to die, not to mention property damage. Remote control model planes have been flown with relative safety for decades, largely because they require some clear space for takeoff and landing and the hobbyists like to see their models fly. Not much of a problem. But vertical takeoff and landing drones can be launched from anyplace and the "operator" doesn't care that much about watching it fly--the on-board video is the thing. Who among you believe that these things will not be used to videotape you skinny-dipping or (God knows what?) and a thousand other insults that flesh and the fleshy-headed are heir to? There are "reasonable" commercial uses (e.g., power line inspection and other applications where the potential for public health and safety would be lowered rather than raised), but that should be the standard. And it should be legal to capture or shoot down non-compliant drones under conditions where it is safe to do so (certainly where is is safer to shoot them down than the potential hazard the drones represent). Naturally, this would have to be in a place where it is legal to discharge a firearm, as in killing "varmits." In addition, the offender should get major penalties and jail time, and, if threatened as a friend of mine was by one of these fiends, killed in self-defense. My friend left and the drone operator didn't pursue him or draw a weapon, but self-defense was a reality. Running, however, is not always a satisfactory solution to a threat. What am I supposed to do if no law officer is available and a threat is advancing upon me, a slow, old cripple? Let him beat me to death or strangle me. A threat is a threat. "Great bodily harm" is an abstraction that can't be brought into focus until it is too late to "repel" it.— August 15, 2015 10:10 p.m.
And the drug war droned on and on
Re: " Don Bauder Aug. 15, 2015 @ 4:45 p.m. Twister: If an airplane of any size hit a drone in midair, what might be the consequences? Best, Don Bauder" Death(s). Above and below. Tw PS: [ATTENTION READER: I COULDN'T GET THIS MESSAGE TO POST VIA REPLY TO THE POST--TRIED TWICE, FAILED BOTH TIMES.]— August 15, 2015 9:36 p.m.
El Cajon dentist's Chicago misfortune
Re: " Don Bauder Aug. 14, 2015 @ 5:07 p.m. QueenMe: I am not so sure that the money for all those homes and fancy cars came from earnings generated by 8 to 10 dental offices. Best, Don Bauder" I ain't so sure. A dentist with "an excellent reputation" charged me almost $4,000 for a bone graft I didn't need, and my present one wants a mere $3,500 to screw in a single implant. Every little bit adds up, and at that rate, adds up pretty fast. Tw— August 15, 2015 9:29 p.m.
Sell, sell, sell that Tribune Publishing stock
Newspapers need something old, something new, but they shouldn't be borrowing or perpetuating the rotten stuff. With respect to the Internet, they're not respecting it. Berners-Lee's concept is still valid, and should be built upon, not torn down--the mistake that most, if not all newspapers and websites in general persist in making. It should be free and user-driven. Instead, it is becoming more and more intrusive and controlling. The programmers design software to please themselves and to show off their superior "intelligence." Instead of facilitating use, they put up barriers. For example, if I want to contact a business, I must fill out a form now, when once I could click on a link and start typing an email. I resent this, and that resentment translates into my not coming back and/or buying a product or service. I could go on and on, but nobody understands, and everybody wants business as usual (SNAFU). Newspapers could have become more RESPONSIVE instead of MANIPULATIVE, but the chose the latter. I want to read the paper, then go home and retrieve a copy that I can cut and paste from, and research further. I want a newspaper that consolidates issues and provides continuity via archives and new developments. Fat chance. I've been trying to "interact" with a major newspaper's reporter on a strong story that he wrote about an event where he got flawed information. He's on to other stuff. I understand; he's under pressure. But he'll never get a Pulitzer that way. No fire in his belly. The public got flawed information because he quoted a press release. Don't these guy's understand that press releases dissemble by nature? My twisted view . . .— August 15, 2015 9:24 p.m.
Sell, sell, sell that Tribune Publishing stock
The STENCH! OH THE STENCH!!!— August 15, 2015 9:01 p.m.
And the drug war droned on and on
The FAA appears to be caving in to industry pressure. I heard that they've raised the ceiling to 500 feet from 400. But for those who fly low and slow far, far away from airports, no place is safe to fly those things. If it's a hobby, fine. Give the hobbyists small designated areas to fly them in where pilots know they will be so they can fly around such places. That's sensible, so it won't be done. It will take a major accident to get anything to happen, and whatever that is won't solve the problem either. They should have to follow the same rules and have the same equipment that all other aircraft have to have so they can be identified, detected, and tracked--BOTH transmitter/receivers on the ground (the controller/joysticks) and in the air. Otherwise, OUTLAW THEM! We need at least a moratorium NOW until a satisfactory solution is worked out. But we will not be proactive, we will be reactive.— August 14, 2015 11:34 p.m.
Sell, sell, sell that Tribune Publishing stock
I'm with y'all in favor of newspapers, but for the privy, I started out with Sears & Roebuck. You read the page, then started wrinklin' it and massaging it 'till it was kinda softish, but with a little remaining bite, as it were, then you folded over and over and over, then tossed it into a basket for fire-starter. I know some folks would holler, "TMI, TMI!' but I know y'all will find it charmin'.— August 14, 2015 11:20 p.m.
Fraud suit filed against Edison
Nine-tenths of the hell being raised in the world is done by do-gooders.— August 14, 2015 7:49 p.m.
Fabiani has a laugh
Shucks! But it ain't too late is it? I could raise myself until I croak, then an orphanage could take over--paid by the taxpayers, of course. You heard about the rich guy who did this haven't you? The kid was very precocious and so much like his fatherly version that he was always cussin'. This pissed off the elder model so much that one day when they were walking along the seashore cliffs and the kid mouthed off, the elder one kicked the kid off the cliff and killed it. There was a trial, but the guy had so much influence, he was sentenced to time served for making an obscene clone fall.— August 14, 2015 7:46 p.m.