I wrote a column a couple years ago about a drone I own that sparked many comments from readers. With all the sightings of these much larger devices hovering in the air around New Jersey recently, it seemed worth revisiting.

My wife bought that simple drone for me as a Christmas present in 2022. I still have it, though I rarely use it, mostly because I still have not become properly licensed. I argued in the past that it seemed like a complicated process, although several readers offered me tips back in 2023 to make it easier. I saved their messages for future use. It’s the future, and I have still haven’t used them. I ask myself, why? I have certainly learned to navigate through various certifications and training and government requirements many times. Why am I stalling on this one, especially when the drone footage could be quite helpful in my business?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the truth can be found in multiple explanations.

First, I have learned that operating a drone is tricky — maybe not for those of you who have been playing complex video games for a few decades, but the skills I gained from mastering Pac-Man as a kid don’t seem to help me much. The margin of error is also low, and the replacement cost is high. That’s not a good combination for me.

Second, as many of you loyal readers know, I am a privacy freak, and the whole idea of drones taking photos and video on demand is concerning to me. It should be to you, too. Clearly, our government is using drones in ways that would make us all uncomfortable if we knew the entire truth. And, clearly, other governments are doing the same.

Admittedly, I don’t fully understand a property owner’s rights on how to deal with drones, but I do know I would not hesitate to shoot one down if I felt it was intruding on me, and I would be more than willing to go to court to justify my actions. I wish our government officials would feel the same way about unidentified drones flying over our cities. I find their silence more concerning than the drones.

I mentioned in the 2023 column about when I attended the Des Moines Symphony’s Yankee Doodle Pops outdoor concert in Des Moines and could see a dozen or so drones flying around in the sky. It was uncomfortable, especially when one realizes how easy it would be for a terrorist to fly a drone with a small bomb into a packed outdoor crowd. That’s a real concern.

I am not suggesting that all drones be banned, but operators should know that, if they are flying above areas other than property they own, their drones are at risk of being destroyed. And despite the annoying hoops I still haven’t jumped through, I believe the licensing is a good idea, as we need to know who is on the controls of these invasive devices. We can only hope it is a group of tech-savvy kids with too much time on their hands.

Have a magnificent Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's past columns here.

FILM REVIEW
‘Red One’ misses the holiday film spirit

By David Rowley

Despite its star-studded cast and ambitious premise, “Red One” feels like a movie caught in an identity crisis, relying too heavily on generic action formulas while missing the spirit that makes holiday films memorable.

The story revolves around the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority (MORA), a secretive organization tasked with (you guessed it) overseeing mythical figures. When Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped, MORA launches a rescue mission. Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift, Santa’s steadfast head of security, while Chris Evans stars as Jack O’Malley, a cynical freelance tracker with a murky past. Together, they embark on a globe-trotting mission to save Christmas. While the premise is pleasing on paper, “Red One” falters in execution, taking itself too seriously to fully embrace its campy potential.

Holiday recipes
Residents share the recipes that make the season bright.

By Jackie Wilson

Favorite dishes are often at the heart of holiday gatherings. Their aromas wafting through the house signal time to join family and friends in celebration, reminiscing and gratitude. Their tastes spark memories and conversation. For many, certain recipes are a holiday must. They are inextricably woven into the fabric of the season, and the festivities wouldn’t feel complete without them.

Blarney Stones
Makenna Lloyd says her Blarney Stones recipe is special because her Great-Grandma Muhlbauer made it every Christmas Eve for a family gathering. She says, “Everyone would bring a Christmas treat to share, but Grandma Muhlbauer’s Blarney Stones were always the best.”

These celebrities were born on this date: Finn Wolfhard, Eddie Vedder, Arcángel, Martin Kratt, Reed Alexander, Holly Madison, Susan Lucci, Harry Judd, Jim Harbaugh, Tori Keeth, Kirby Smart, Jackie Radinsky, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle:Why did the fellow pitch a tent and put a disco ball inside it last January? IT WAS THE WINTER OF HIS DISCO TENT! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: What happens if you throw your 70s records on the fire?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Johnston Living magazine or weekly, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

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