Unmanned aerial drones similar to ones used in the war on Iraq could be patrolling the U.S. border by the end of the year to help stem illegal immigration and increase security, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Thursday.

"We are very serious in looking at UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) for both border applications, land and sea," Ridge told the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

www.sfgate.com.../news/archive/2003/05/22/national1603EDT0730.DTL

"Predators and other remote-controlled aircraft can watch over a potential target and fly for hundreds of miles with cameras, sensors, communications equipment or missiles."

Missiles!!



***
Unmanned drone patroling the border (now with computerized voice system).

Drone: You there in the semi - we know you have illegal aliens onboard. Turn the truck around and return to where you came from.

The truck keeps driving.

Drone: Turn around now, or you will be terminated.

The truck keeps driving.

Drone: You have been warned. You will be terminated in 5.. 4.. 3..2..1. zero. (the drone fires two missles at the semi which is hit and explodes into flaming pieces)

CUT TO NEWSCAST

A smiling looking newscaster appears.

Anchor: Another victory today in the War on Immigration. A truck concealing as many as 25 illegal immigrants was destroyed while attempting to cross the border. Officials say the threat was 'quickly and completely eliminated' and that there was no "contamination of the nearby towns". Reports indicate the semi may have contained dangerous persons seeking "freedom and a better life" here in the US.....



[Edited on 23-5-2003 by quango]

I think that those missles are reserved for terrorists, and other armed agents, not innocent poor folk. Don't always have such bad thoughts about security. For this is a very serious matter. Al-Quida fighters could get in regardless, but still, do we want them dragging in tanks and nukes???


Abe

That was just a bit of creative fun with the worst-case mindset. 'tis all.
I realize that border patrol is a worthy cause.

Still AV, you of all people should realize that this is not out of the realm of (near) future possibilities.
Just wait until these drones are floating around our american cities patrolling the streets.
Just for security, right?

Good points.


I don't think that those scenrio's are likely either. Yet think about this. On August 14th 2001, did it seem like Al-Quida was on the verge of flying planes into our buildings on September 11th of that same year???

This is part of the arguement that "They" will use to get what they want. That is why many of the skeptics out there would say that Al-Quida and international terrorism benefits the security services, along with the police, the FEDS, the military, and the intel groups. For they didn't have this type of work or prospects 10 years ago, now did they???



You See?????

[Edited on 24-5-2003 by Abraham Virtue]