Daily Archives: 23 April 2014

But What Are You Actually Going To Do, Mr Obama?

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President Barack Obama sent his most important sheriff, Vice President Joe Biden, to Ukraine Tuesday to offer American support to its new government. Biden had some fine words:

The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine and getting it right is within your grasp. And we want to be your partner and friend in the project. We’re ready to assist.

And

You face some very daunting problems and some might say humiliating threats are taking place[.]

Well, NSS. What are you going to do about that?

And

I want you to know I do not underestimate the incredible pressure you all are under. I do not underestimate the challenges you all face. And I do not underestimate the frustration you all must feel when someone like me comes along to say what a great opportunity this is for you all.

Awfully astute of you, old boy.

Again, I ask: what are you actually going to do, Messrs Obama and Biden? Besides spout pretty words, I mean, or make laughable moves against empty bank accounts.

Government Arrogance

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Texas EquuSearch is a drone operating company, based in a Houston suburb, that uses small drones, in their case, model aircraft equipped with cameras, in searches for missing persons. Or at least they used to, before the Federal government put a stop to their effrontery. The FAA has ordered them to cease because the FAA doesn’t have a rule that allows for such a thing.

Texas EquuSearch has an appeal before the DC Circuit court, but in the meantime, they’re barred from helping various other government agencies—like local police—conduct their searches.

The FAA has rationalized its decision with this:

The agency approves emergency Certificates of Authorization (COAs) for natural disaster relief, search and rescue operations, and other urgent circumstances, sometimes in a matter of hours.

“In a matter of hours.” When the bad man comes and seconds count, the FAA will be only hours away. Sometimes. Other times, well, sorry about that.

In addition to which, “many law enforcement agencies in rural areas being searched don’t have the authorization certificates to use drones.”

The FAA went on with this appallingly arrogant remark:

We are not aware that any government entity with an existing COA has applied for an emergency naming Texas EquuSearch as its contractor.

Because a business requires government permission, at the least in the form of a government contract, before it can go about its affairs. Aside from this small matter, what problem does the FAA think it’s solving with its…position?

Yeah, that’s what I thought, too.