The FAA in the US has decided to begin research into how UAV technology can be used inside national airspace. A Military UAV will typically be used over hostile territory, and will be part of a larger command and control network. They also tend to have pilot supervision. As UAV technology becomes more advanced we will see more and more responsibility being passed to the UAV itself. Ironically current commercial aircraft are largely automated and have collision avoidance technology. [Update] New Scientist has a story on this topic.

Recently I had a discussion with a Muslim over Draw Muhammad Day. His central thesis is that free speech should not offend the religious. My position was that such a limitation destroys free speech, including the free speech of the religious. Although it was a private discussion he decided to post portions in a public forum, so I took that to mean he didn't object to it's publication, and have copied it here.

DB Breweries supports our right to free speech. Yeah right. The sad fact is that the company who saw fit to take requisition part of our cultural heritage as part of their self interested advertising campaign is now trying to silence the free speech of a harmless Church in Tauranga. Well I'm going to introduce Tui to how we stand up for our rights.

Free Speech is a critically important right in a free and democratic society. When South Park showed the Prophet Mohammed as a bear various Muslim groups threatened to kill the makers of the program. In response to this many of those incensed by the attempt by the religious to intimidate proposed a "Draw Mohammed Day" in protest against Muslims who threaten and commit violence in the name of their god.