Washington, D.C .—We have a full-blown crisis!   We are being told that government must suddenly regulate and register the well over two million drones used by hobbyists, photographers, filmmakers and other ordinary civilians. For over two years now we’ve heard the media tell us how these little pesky devices will bring down airliners, invade privacy and destroy our way of life.   Pulling the puppet strings of the media has been the FAA and DOT .   Chicago’s Mayor, Rahm Emanuel said it best back when he was Obama’s Chief of Staff, “ Never let a good crisis go to waste! ”   This drone crisis is nothing more that a manufactured one. The FAA has showered the media with their “facts” in that they claim there are well over 700 cases of near misses with airliners and other conventional aircraft. Missing from these statistics are a single fatality, serious injury or even a report of notable property damage.   Because drones have driven news stories like w...

Cajon Pass, CA —For the last several brushfires that plagued this severely water parched area, claims were made that drone sightings delayed firefighting efforts. Like so many reports by conventional pilots there’s never a shred of independent evidence such as videos, photos or the drones themselves. The overblown and sensational claims of delayed response threatening lives and property are beyond outrageous. Let me say that everyone is aware that conventional firefighting aircraft must fly well below the minimum airspace altitude.   Camera drones could conceivably collide with conventional aircraft within nearby airspace.   That could be dangerous.   Drone operators don’t want their drones destroyed, nor do they want their drones to be responsible for any kind of mishap.   Drone technology is evolving faster than any wildfire and drones will soon replace conventional aircraft for these sometimes-risky firefighting missions. Are pilots making up the...

Phoenix, AZ —The second attempt to get a verdict in the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias murder trial is about be get underway before Judge Sherry Stephens . Will it be death, life without parole or a 25 calendar year sentence?    Arias would get full credit for her years in pretrial custody.   Arias is understandably and desperately seeking some control over her defense and public relations matters.   The problem is that she’s woefully unqualified to make any of those decisions. The lawyers assigned to defend Arias are not exactly heavy hitters.   They are lightweights with limited skills and resources.   Arias has been widely criticized for her missteps at every turn.   This young woman is fighting for her life while dealing with complicated issues few of us will ever have to face.  For her there are no right answers.  Whatever she does turns out wrong.  The only thing I know about Arias for sure is she has given...

Phoenix, AZ —Politicians and their appointed police chiefs across this nation demand nearly total control of police related information. It’s epidemic in the larger cities controlled by Democratic Party mayors.   They see the value of leaving their citizens with a false sense of security and public safety as they spin any and all information accordingly. Police business was once considered just that.   Certain information was kept away from all but sworn police officers.   That’s not the case because the local politicians have demanded and unlawfully obtained access to sensitive police data nearly everywhere. Politicians also demand the ability to influence arrests and prosecutions of friends, relatives and of course their campaign contributors.   Illicit influence is used to both free the guilty and even jail the innocent.   Cops and prosecutors have no choice but to look the other way.   Whistle blowing in law enforcement circles simply does not ...

Newark, New Jersey -- New Jersey’s biggest newspaper, The Star-Ledger of Newark that also boasted being one of the nation’s largest is preparing to jettison 167 workers including 40 newsroom staffers.  This paper attempted to transition into the Internet age with a website and addition of video reports. Obviously the problems with the newspaper’s bottom line were not cured.   Traditional media as we knew it is on life support everywhere in the world.   Broadcasters and newspapers have billions invested in presses and broadcasting equipment that has become a stone around their necks.   Anyone can acquire adequate equipment for a few thousand dollars to send quality pre-packaged or live video around the world.   Our new large television screens are rapidly making the transition to bring us web content along with traditional broadcast equipment.   It’s only a matter of time before TV broadcasting towers come down everywhere.   Cable providers a...