Malibu, CA —The tale of this Olympic hero, Reality TV star and suddenly iconic transgender personality Caitlyn Jenner is sensational to say the least. Transgender or transsexual men were and are a curiosity that is most often the butt of jokes and ridicule.  However we barely notice the millions of women that are obviously unhappy with their gender assignments.   The sight of women dressed in sweatshirts, jeans and sneakers sporting short hair without any makeup is very common.  Women that are unhappy with their gender don’t seem to suffer any stigma whatsoever when they dress like men.  They are usually accepted for their talents, social skills and contributions to society.  Lesbians seem to be considered acceptable in society while  homosexual or transgendered men are usually stigmatized. Gender confused men that are cross dressers or transsexuals never escape notice unless they can somehow pass unquestionably as women.  ...

UPDATE!!! I'm pleased to report that the town council tabled the drone ban ordinance acknowledging it needed to be studied.  They put off consideration until October at the earliest.   A half-dozen or so people spoke against the ordinance and nobody supported it.   I'm glad the council had second thoughts since this was created out of fear and misunderstanding. Frankly I'm proud of their taking the high road.   As for those of you operating drones in Paradise Valley or for that matter anywhere, please fly safe and be considerate  of others.   Town of Paradise Valley, AZ —In arguably the most expensive real estate in the State of Arizona they are proposing the most draconian camera drone ban ever! The town’s council will be voting on this draft ordinance during their May 28, 2015 meeting.   They want to outlaw any use of a drone without a single use permit and fee.   It further outlaws the publishing of all aerial images in somewhat...

Los Angeles, CA —The explosion of civilian multi-rotor camera drones is just beginning.   People are reacting to seeing them for the first time.   My experiences with the public seeing my drones in action has been mixed.   Thankfully the vast majority of people are amazed and they enjoy seeing them fly. A minority of “drone detractors” react with exhibitions of hostility, hatred and ignorance.   In the last two years I’ve had just a scant few unsettling encounters while flying my drone. For reasons I don’t understand I’ve been only been confronted by women.   They advise me I’m breaking the law, and then they call or threaten to call the cops.   They obviously don’t know the law.   I usually ignore them, shoot my video and leave the area when my flight is over.   If the cops respond to their call I don’t know because I’ve always moved on prior to their arrival.   Three women on separate occasions were downright nasty and even e...

Venice, CA —In this community there are stark contrasts in people and lifestyles.   Let me take you on a magic carpet ride to the better side of town along their famous canals!

Washington, DC —Suddenly, the FAA has allowed CNN  and a Las Vegas agency ArrowData to begin using and testing drones for electronic newsgathering over populated areas under a section 333-waiver application provision.   Until now the FAA has banned so-called, commercial use of drones while completely ignoring important First Amendment issues.  As of now many media companies have opted to refuse applying for section-333 waivers because the lack of FAA regulation in effect already allows drone newsgathering. The FAA just issued a curious memo saying the media can’t use the drones, but they can accept and publish drone video from third party hobbyists.  That begs the question, are the rights of hobbyists somehow greater than news publishers? Soon the FAA and media content creators may be clashing in a courtroom. The real issue and mission of the FAA is about safety in our skies. However, to date the nearly two million multi-rotor camera drones have ...

Los Angeles, CA —We’ve become the video nation.   Whether we like it or not our images are captured hundreds of times per day.   Privacy died long ago any apparently we’ve grown accustomed to the camera invasion.  The city of Los Angeles has recently taken steps to place body cameras on every patrol officer.  Cops have become a natural target for cell phone and camera-armed citizens.   Cops are always prone to getting into confrontations primarily with dysfunctional people who are just being themselves.   That kind of interaction always makes for interesting video. The best and earliest examples of captured video of a infamous police interaction was the Rodney King case in Los Angeles two decades ago.   The video was ugly to say the least.   Cops were using batons to restrain King after a vehicle chase.   King was injured and sent to the hospital.   That unblinking and legendary video recording shot by witness George Hollid...

Baltimore, MD —Saying that, “ Black lives matter .”   is disingenuous at best.   The display of rage and anger every time some black career criminal dies fighting cops during arrest situations is always epic. Such is now the case with that career drug dealer, Freddie Gray who unfortunately died after an arrest by Baltimore police. What goes nearly unnoticed are the thousands of Blacks murdered by other Blacks in this nation.   Certainly the media dare not publish the statistics in every major city in America. When I was a Chicago cop I learned about the African-American violent and bankrupt culture first hand.   In the Windy City African-Americans were and still are the minority.   When it comes to crime however it’s a different story. My duties took me to the Cook County Jail and observe that 90% of the inmates were Black.   The same was true for every Chicago violent felony court call.   Last was the Cook County Morgue.  There was a...