READER’S EDITORIAL: VETERANS DEMAND DRONE OVERSIGHT
By Dave Patterson July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – Beginning in 2012 the stories about the misuse of drone technology have been frightening. Starting with the revelation that we have been killing hundreds of civilians and children in places that we are not at war, to the government using the border drones to surveil American citizens. Worse yet, there appears to be an unholy alliance between our nation and Pakistan because there is now evidence that our drones are killing people that are not terrorists, but instead political enemies of the Pakistani regime. Toward that end, we at the San Diego Veterans For Peace are calling for an immediate end to drone attacks and domestic surveillance until the President of the United States provides to Congress and the American people full transparency regarding drone policy. He must provide to Congress and the American people the heretofore secret legal opinions that are allegedly used as a basis for justifying: (1) the targeting of US citizens without charging those citizens with a crime or crimes; (2) the targeting of foreign nationals who do not pose an immediate and imminent threat to the United States and; (3) the launching of drone attacks against the citizens of countries or those residing in countries, in which the United States is not in engaged in legal armed conflict. Further, we call upon Congress to pass legislation that provides for robust congressional and judicial oversight of foreign and domestic drone use, and the oversight of funding for drones within or outside the borders of the United States. On the domestic front we see signs of widespread deployment of drones within US airspace in the near future. The FAA has been mandated to open the skies to drones in the next year, raising concerns of cost, airline safety, and the erosion of constitutional rights at home, which would profoundly change the character of public life in the United States. The latest Senate bill on Immigration adds 18 Drones to both borders, a $500M windfall for General Atomics in Poway. Cost projections show $10 billion in drone sales in the next decade, largely to domestic law enforcement. With state and local governments facing serious fiscal challenges, it is likely the federal government will provide this technology through Homeland Security grants. This will increase the federal deficit and draw money away from essential government programs and services, which could otherwise be used to benefit the American people. As members of Veterans for Peace we call upon the President, members of Congress, and all state and local governments to provide to the American people the necessary transparency regarding the use of drones both at home and abroad. We also demand that laws be enacted to provide oversight of the use of this technology. However, we cannot do this alone. Thus we Veterans call upon all our citizenry to contact our politicians and demand that they fix this problem. If they won’t we must work tirelessly to unseat them in the next elections. America’s good and free people depend on it. Dave Patterson is a Ramona resident and a member of the San Diego Veterans For Peace. www.sdvfp.org. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
ADDITIONAL 22 HORSES SEIZED IN RAMONA
July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – Two months after the County Department of Animal Services (DAS) impounded ten horses in Ramona, another 22 were seized from the same owner Monday. DAS had been monitoring the herd belonging to Lori Patton since the original seizure May 23 to make sure the animals were getting the proper level of care. Animal Control Officers noted a number of horses were becoming thin and posted a notice at Patton’s property July 15 stating the animals would be seized if conditions didn’t improve. Patton requested a hearing to contest the proposed seizure. The hearing was held Friday, July 19 and the hearing officer’s decision Monday, July 22 authorized DAS to seize all the animals on the property. A total of 22 horses and foals, 8 dogs and puppies, 1 cat, 1 rabbit, 1 guinea pig and 3 mice were taken from the property. “The owner was not providing the necessary care to improve the health of the horses which left us no choice but to seize her animals and take them into protective custody,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. “The criminal investigation is continuing and we are unable to share more information at this time.” A veterinarian has examined the horses and found they were all below the proper weight and some needed dental care. Treatment is now underway. As part of the administrative process, Patton has 14 days to reclaim her animals if she shows she can provide the necessary care and attention for them and if she can pay the cost of their impoundment, housing and medical care. DAS seized 10 horses from Patton last May when the animals were found without food and water. Most of those horses have since been adopted.
FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN RAMONA
July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – On July 25, 2013 at approximately 11:55 a.m. Sean Kelly Cullen, 22, of Ramona was riding a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650. The rider was traveling in the eastbound lane of SR-78 east of Magnolia Avenue at approximately 60 MPH when he lost control of the motorcycle. The motorcycle crossed the parallel yellow lines, into the westbound traffic lane. A 59-year-old woman, also from Ramona, was driving a 2005 BMW X5 and was heading westbound on SR-78, when the motorcycle crossed the yellow line. As a result, the motorcycle sideswiped the BMW, resulting in fatal injuries to the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was taken to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. The driver of the BMW was transported to Palomar Hospital by Ramona Fire Department Medic 7890 for treatment of minor injuries. It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs contributed to this collision pending an investigation from the Medical Examiner’s Office. The collision remains under investigation.