Predator drones to patrol Detroit/Canada airspace

[Sstashmoo]

With the advancements in technology, these sorts of applications must be curbed. We're losing our right to privacy. Continually under surveillance and scrutiny by a third party. What if you don't want to be watched? You have no choice, and what's next?

There is a better fix for the conditions that cause such hostility towards us.

[Bigb23]

What about those Piper Cubs circling around ? The leftovers from 9-11. What's the frequency Kenneth ?

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "What about those Piper Cubs circling around ? The leftovers from 9-11. What's the frequency Kenneth ?"

Huh?

[Bigb23]

Check Gannons website.

[Russix]

Sweet, now we will have the props already in place to start filming Kurt Russell's latest thriller "Escape from Detroit" featuring the climatic scene where are heroes are being pursued by a Predator drone through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel when its suddenly explodes rupturing the tunnel and ejecting our heroes on a rubber raft out the Windsor side into the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounties. At which point the plans for a car that runs on water are handed over and the scene ends with really chessy early eighties techno music.

[EastsideAl]

I couldn't agree more with Lowell's post above. The money spent patrolling the border of a country we've been at peace with for nearly 200 years is just insane. It's supposed to be the world's longest demilitarized border, but in our ongoing fit of post 9/11 xenophopia and fear-mongering, combined with the hunger for the expansion of privacy-invading law enforcement surveillance and rewarding of insider government contractors, it has become far less so over the past 8 years. The long customs waits at the bridge and tunnel, and the increasing belligerence of customs personnel there, have made our once fairly open and relaxed border increasingly tense, and gives many people who once crossed the border regularly second thoughts about making the trip

This all has a serious negative impact on our economy here in the Detroit-Windsor area, from both a commercial and tourist standpoint. And the worst thing about it is that it's all so pointless and unnecessary. Europe has pointed the way to how open borders can enhance the economies of adjacent countries, reduce the costs and inefficiencies of patrolling peaceful borders, allow law enforcement agencies to work better and more closely with one another, and bring countries and people closer together.

But wasting money on militarizing our border with drone spy planes almost certainly is not moving in that direction, and if I were Canadian I would take it as yet another unfriendly gesture on our part. As a Detroiter I see it as another clueless and harmful move by a federal government that does not understand the nature of our relationship with our friends and family [[like a whole lot of people around here, I have Canadian family) in Windsor and southern Ontario, and is seemingly unwilling to acknowledge that relationship.

More open borders with Canada, hopefully leading to an eventual customs union, would have almost entirely positive effects for our entire region, on both sides of the border. And it would be more efficient and create less tension for all involved.Michigan's governor, senators, and congressional representatives should all be pushing for the Obama administration to move in this direction as swiftly as possible.

[Jimaz]

It seems to me it would make more sense for the U.S. and Canada to team up in making their other borders & shorelines more secure. I don't want any bad guys sneeking into Canada from the U.S. any more than I would want them sneeking into the U.S. from Canada. I think that's best achieved at the other borders.

I don't see citizens of either country being much of a threat to the other. Surely there must be counterexamples but I can't think of any off hand.

[cheddar bob]

With the advancements in technology, these sorts of applications must be curbed. We're losing our right to privacy. Continually under surveillance and scrutiny by a third party. What if you don't want to be watched? You have no choice, and what's next?

There is a better fix for the conditions that cause such hostility towards us.

Such a contradiction from someone that is so anti-illegal immigration. Sounds like you're only against illegal immigration if the people are coming from the south.

You're not losing any right to privacy with this. A plane can only see you if you are outside, you know, out in public. Do you feel that people should not look at you when you're outside, too?