London, UK --Since the inception of TV news other than a switch to color, the use and abuse of the green screen technology and live on scene live broadcasting not much has changed over five decades.  Suddenly we have the Internet, cheap quality video cameras and big changes are rocking the world of video news delivery.  Television news management miscreants often took great delight in making their talent that left or were jettisoned just disappear. No goodbyes, no thank you, just nothing.   That left viewers to wonder where about the fate of those once familiar faces. Now thanks to Facebook and Twitter that vile practice has ended for good.  That along those bogus non-compete contracts preventing reporter from moving to nearby stations are gone.   However sadly the shrinking TV news audience has cost countless jobs and made reporters in too many markets eligible for food stamps. Making a living as a television journalist seems more challenging tha...

Santa Barbara, CA--Private Security is really more about deterrence, and loss prevention.  Bringing in drones is a perfect application for security contractors to rid their clients of burglars, sex offenders and vandals.  Of course homeowners associations can create their own in house program but it's generally not needed.  However there are times when criminals show up in soft target communities then it's time to call in a qualified security contractor with drones.   Wether it's a burglary or vandalism problem drones operated and flying at less than 300 feet can can easily observe and record the deeds.  Ground security and police can be quickly alerted to handle enforcement activities. Drones are excellent for all industrial security applications.  They can be sent up as needed to examine areas or for responding to various alarms and such.  Drones have been used to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities.  Actually those kinds of faciliti...

Michael Glover, Robyn Rosenkrantz, Paul Huebl and Gregor Marvel Berlin, Germany —I had the absolute pleasure to sit down with two expatriate  Americans living in this great city.  Musicians and filmmakers Michael Glover and Robyn Rosenkrantz sold everything they owned but their musical instruments and the clothes on their backs taking the very bold step of moving to Europe.  They’ve been making films with their own production company Bright Blue Gorilla .   I first met them through their European friends after getting invited to a Hollywood Screening of their farce film, Go With Le Flo .   It was a real Blue Carpet Event where I was handed a banana as I walked in the door. The Film was terrific and the reception after was filled with cast members that flew in for the event.   It made for a delightful evening.   I knew it was just a matter of time and I’d be visiting with them and another Berlin pal, Gregor Marvel that was in that ...

Could the woman pictured be shot in the back and have her gun taken? Phoenix, AZ —There is a significant contingent of gun rights advocates that are enamored with the idea of openly carrying handguns in public places. Yes, I believe it’s a right but is it safe or advisable?  Let me begin by making it clear that such activity is constitutionally protected.   I have no desire for legislation prohibiting any form of bearing arms by the law abiding.    It’s a choice pure and simple.   The truth is that open carry is a horrible idea.   I’ve seen the fallout of open carry over and over for decades. The ignorant advocate that seeing an armed civilian is somehow   a deterrent to violence.   Nothing could be further from he truth. Let’s begin with reality and some cold hard facts. Until the 1980s when ballistic vests became the normal attire of cops more than half the officers killed where shot with their own guns. Better holsters and train...

Los Angeles, CA —The word of the day is FLIR !  I knew this was in development but now it’s actually here!  FLIR became a major public safety and search & rescue tool more than two decades ago.  Now even civilian camera drones are in the FLIR mix!  Flir has primarily been delegated to expensive cameras carried on board conventional aircraft for military, police, fire and every public safety application. Recently the popular drone maker DJI and Flir teamed up to offer these now affordable lifesaving cameras.   They can now operate from the popular DJI Inspire1 and Matrice 100 drone platforms.   That means anyone with these drones can save or at least protect lives.   Flir is simply an optical device that captures imagery of heat signatures or thermal patterns.  At 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit our bodies are normally warmer than the ambient air temperature.  At night the outside air is almost always colder than the bodies of hu...

Berlin, Germany —I was nearing the end of a much too short European vacation here and I had just retired for the night.   I opened my iPad to check my email one last time before going to sleep.   There were some flash messages appearing my screen about the San Bernardino, CA “mass shooting” with vague reports of scores of victims.   I went to the websites of the Local television stations as they were just beginning live coverage. Live helicopter video images were being broadcast of paramedics who were just assembling triage areas and there were an amazing amount of police vehicles already present.   News anchors were telling their audiences that police officials don’t know who, or just how many were involved. They were saying little more than that there were scores of causalities.   I could understand this at the very beginning but this pathetic and minimal information was broadcast for hours.   The same redundant line about what the cops don’t know wa...