Columbia news, views & reviews OPINION

There’s a wonderful memorable line from the 1994 movie, “Angels in the Outfield.”

“It could happen!”

In a paranoid world, it could happen.

In communities with little to no transparency or accountability in government, it could happen.

In communities flush with grant money and a penchant for spy cameras, it could happen.

The Obama administration’s increasing dependence on the use of unmanned “drones” in warfare and in international relations is sliding into the abyss of illicit condoning of spying on citizenry. Do you think for a moment that some governments will not expand their prurient circle of control of citizens into drone technology?

Read this Daily Beast article: Everything you need to know about drones.

It’s scary, as the Daily Beast writer says, ” … the program itself remains officially classified, along with the rules and procedures that guide it— if they even exist. It’s scary, too when communities stick nearly 30 spy cameras around the town to spy on who, what? It’s scary when there are no rules and procedures that guide it – if they even exist!

In this New Republic article, “Although the Obama administration’s brief (on the use of drones)  is directed at the assassination of Americans abroad, the arguments it offers could apply with equal force to the assassination of Americans at home … .”

Columbia news, views & reviews has repeatedly and consistently asked for transparency on “spy camera” use in Columbia and everywhere. Not surprisingly, groups on the extreme conservative side (The American Tea Party) and the extreme liberal side (The American Civil Liberties Union – ACLU) advance nearly identical positions. “Rules must be put in place to ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of this new technology without bringing us closer to a ‘surveillance society’ in which our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded, and scrutinized by the government.”

We favor the intent of the Bill introduced by Senator Rand Paul stating “a person or entity acting under the authority, or funded in whole or in part by, the Government of the United States shall not use a drone to gather evidence or other information pertaining to criminal conduct or conduct in violation of a statute or regulation except to the extent authorized in a warrant that satisfies the requirements of the Fourth Amendment 21 to the Constitution of the United States.”

We encourage communities with spy technology intention to conform with the “Guidelines for Public Video Surveillance – A Guide to Protecting Communities and Preserving Civil Liberties.”

Be transparent and honest with citizens.