FBI Director Admits Domestic use of Drones for Surveillance

The FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance purposes, the head of the agency told Congress early Wednesday.

Robert Mueller, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed to lawmakers that the FBI owns several unmanned aerial vehicles, but has not adopted any strict policies or guidelines yet to govern the use of the controversial aircraft.
“Does the FBI use drones for surveillance on US soil?” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) asked Mr Mueller during an oversight hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Yes,” Mueller responded bluntly, adding that the FBI’s operation of drones is “very seldom.”

Asked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) to elaborate, Mueller added, “It’s very seldom used and generally used in a particular incident where you need the capability.” Earlier in the morning, however, Mueller said that the agency was only now working to establish set rules for the drone program.

Mueller began answering questions just after 10 a.m. EDT. He briefly touched on the recently exposed NSA surveillance program that has marred the reputation of the United States intelligence community. Mueller said 22 agents have access to a vast surveillance database, including 20 analysts and two overseers.

When Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota) asked Mueller later in the morning if he’d consider being more open about the FBI’s surveillance methods, the director expressed reluctance to be more transparent. Mueller said the FBI has and will continue to weigh the possibility of publishing more information about its spy habits, but warned that doing so would be to the advantage of America’s enemies.

“There is a price to be paid for that transparency,” Mueller said. “I certainly think it would be educating our adversaries as to what our capabilities are.”

Source... http://worldtruth.tv/fbi-director-admits-domestic-use-of-drones-for-surveillance/

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Steven Tyler Speaks Out Against Paparazzi at Hearing in Hawaii

The Aerosmith singer advocates for a state law that would allow celebrities to take legal action against invasive photographers.

The feud between celebrities and the paparazzi seems like a never-ending war, with stars citing their right to privacy and photographers combatively shielding themselves with their first-amendment rights. Rock star Steven Tyler appeared Friday at a Hawaii legislative hearing to push a bill, the so-called Steven Tyler Act, which is aimed at protecting celebrities’ privacy.

The bill, which was drafted by Tyler's manager and introduced by Sen. Kalani English, would give celebrities the power to sue paparazzi who take photos or video of their private lives in an offensive way.

The legislation has numerous supporters, both on Capitol Hill and in Hollywood. More than two-thirds of the state Senate co-sponsored the measure, and more than a dozen stars, including Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne, submitted testimony supporting the bill. Rocker Mick Fleetwood was also present at the hearing to speak on the bill’s behalf.

Read More... http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steven-tyler-speaks-paparazzi-at-419907