[USNBandit]

One of the things that many here won't believe is that these aircraft still have to be operated within the laws of this country, when operated inside the United States. The case precedence is very clear on the use of airborne assets and sensors when it applies to private property. There are also a lot of restrictions on the use of ELINT equipment inside the U.S. The key is that platforms used by CBP operate right on the border and look over the line where they can use that equipment.

Much of the language that causes concern is written by people trying to inflate their own importance. The CBP Predator program in reality is a failure. It sucks funds away from things that work into a capability that is seldom used and is locked on limited tracks allowed by the FAA. The contract with General Atomics is practically criminal in its lack of accountability. Several years ago a Predator being flown by General Atomics contract pilots was crashed due to gross incompetence and negligence. Because of the way the contract is written, CBP still pays an outrageous amount of money every year, to General Atomics, for Ku band time on that aircraft that is now in the trash heap.

CBP Air would be a lot better off with a mid size turbine airplane capable of carrying the same sensors for a lot less money. You could buy several of these for the cost of the Predator and use the same crews to fly those aircraft. The advantage would be cost, a lower mishap rate, and CBP could operate it anywhere in the U.S. without a permission slip from the FAA.

The only capability the Predator has brought to its limited operating area has been VADER, an MTI radar capable of detecting and tracking groups on foot. Then again that could have been bought for a manned aircraft.

[butterdezillion]

Regulations don’t mean anything if the people who are supposed to enforce the regulations are lawless thugs just like the foreign enemy combatant who appointed them to that position.

Right now “the enemy is in the building”. Laws/regulations/Constitution no longer matter, because the only ones allowed to guard the henhouse are all foxes.

[PghBaldy]

Somehow I am not comforted. If anyone thinks the only danger is from Obama, or the left, they are mistaken.

[DarkWaters]

Your argument is from the perspective and standpoint of a civilized government. In those cases, the pen is mightier than the sword. However those who now occupy positions of power are anything but civilized. Who ever said the pen was mightier than the sword, obviously never met the sword, or if they did it was too late to warn everyone of their egregious mistake.

[itsahoot]

One of the things that many here won't believe is that these aircraft still have to be operated within the laws of this country,

Because many here have watched as these scofflaws ignore the Constitution and issue executive orders to implement new laws through directives, and ignore the laws that inconvenience them.

[MrB]

I see that you’re saying that the laws prevent these from being used improperly against the citizens...

laws will do nothing of the sort.