I'm not sure just what the Texas officials' problem is with this:

Hunters soon may be able to sit at their computers and blast away at animals on a Texas ranch via the Internet, a prospect that has state wildlife officials up in arms.

A controversial Web site, http://www.live-shot.com, already offers target practice with a .22 caliber rifle and could soon let hunters shoot at deer, antelope and wild pigs, site creator John Underwood said on Tuesday.

Texas officials are not quite sure what to make of Underwood's Web site, but may tweak existing laws to make sure Internet hunting does not get out of hand.

Seems like a great idea to me. It would let you bag venison from the comfort of your own home, from anywhere in the world. It would be a good way to keep the deer from scenting you, and could reduce the overpopulation in many states.

It also sounds like just the ticket for John Kerry. He could crawl on his stomach in one of his own mansions, with his virtual shotgun, instead of having to go out in the cold and mud.

[Update on Thursday morning]

The deer aren't going down quietly. It seems they've adapted the tactics of the Islamakazis, and are taking us with them.

[Update early Thursday afternoon]

For anyone who wants to give it a try (shooting over the internet, not crashing into deer), here's the web site.

[Another update on Thursday night]

We're under siege.

This definitely sounds like a good way to relieve some mouse potatoes of their excess cash. And they call us Texans "dumb cowboys."

I don't think it's the Texas officials that have problems with it, I think it's the Reuters "reporter." The guy they quote from Texas just seems to want to have the practise regulated, which I think is fair enough.

The "reporter" quotes the official as having proposed that in the case of protected animals you have to be on site to shoot one. Not, I suspect, for the reason the "reporter" wants you to think: because it's icky to shoot animals from the Internet (or anywhere). But it could well be to protect the interests of Texas hunters. After all, if any hunter could fly a UAV over Texas and bag game, then, since there are way more hunters world-wide than in Texas itself, Texas hunting opportunities might be swallowed up by furriners. If there's one thing Texans are attached to, it's their own property rights.

I suspect the guy is simply reflecting the sensible view of Texans that if some guy is going to shoot a gun at a Texan animal then he'd best be available right there on scene in case the State of Texas has an issue with him. The Rangers are not interested in fooling around with IP addresses and making extradition requests all over creation.

Flying a UAV would be different than this situation, which I understood as a fixed gun site. If someone was hunting varmints with a private Predator, I think that the FAA, Air Force and other agencies would all take an interest, not just the Texas authorities.

I dunno that sounds kinda creepy. I don't think this would seriously address any kind of overpopulation concerns. As it doesn't appear that the platform doesn't move around to actively seek out prey. It only lets you shoot at the animals stupid enough to walk close to the platform.

There could be a lot of animals like that. The platform could be camouflaged, with a salt lick or cornpile in front of it. There'd be no human noises or scents to give it away...

Dang! That UAV thing sounded cool.

How much would a paintball spitting UAV cost?

Set up targets in a field and fly teams of Red & Blue UAVs trying to hit more of the other guys targets. Paintball wars in an armchair, drinking a fristy beverage.

On 2nd thought, play "Battery & Counterbattery"

Set up remotely operated paintball mortars that can be aimed by remote control. Give each team UAVs with real time video feed.

The goal is for one team to take out the enemy mortars before they take out your mortars. Put some kind of sensor so incoming paint will shut down a mortar that has taken a hit.

Rand, Florida is filled with go-kart tracks, putt putt golf and stuff like that. How about a UAV paintball field?

Ah, the complications of telepresence.

Or, to quote a more succint philosopher, 'Brain and brain, what is brain?'

We may be missing a real chance to make a difference in the world. Let's expand this idea to become a world wide hunt!!

Suppose we set up huge numbers of these Cyber-Hunting guns in known anti-American enclaves, like Fallujah or Mosul or DNC Headquarters. We could rid the world of terrorists and other kooks, nuts, and Liberals.

We could issue a Terrorist Hunting License and the money for the license goes to directly help with rebuilding projects in the country where the targeted "game" was shot. The higher powered weapon you want to use, the more your license costs

We could have 24/7 coverage and you'd probably have to sign up for times to hunt because of band width restrictions. Any takers??

What do you mean expand the hunt. It already is a full blown global operation to turn the world into a shitbox of right wing nutters like Rand and his merry band of wackos.

I realize this is meant to be all a big joke, but underneath it all, is a serious hatred of anyone left of Hitler and that makes me feel personally threatened by where you lot are taking Western Civilization.

Rand, so much of tone of your blog is really quite disgusting and after reading this latest contribution about fat slobs sitting in front of a computer killing real animals for kicks, I can only conclude that you need to get some serious psychological help.

They do say that most psychopaths have problems with furry animals? Just why are you such a violent person.

Do you really think any HR people in space companies are impressed with your language and vicious tone.

I cannot see how you would make a good contribution to any company where harmony and respect for others is so important. Maybe you could find a bunch of like minded people, but how long could you work together before you all turned on each other.

All I ask is that you don't breed.

Why are the lefties so full of hate like the aboe coward?

All of that hate is going to be their undoing.

So your saying Rand loves Liberals now.

Get real Mike, Rand hates liberals and would gladly see laws passed restricting the activities of liberals. Maybe we should where an L on our lapel.

On many many occasions members of his fan club chime in with various calls for violence and elimination of liberals. This very thread has already seen such.

Rand never says a word against such postings, so it can only be concluded that he agrees with such views.

Rand's hatred of liberals is quite strange, given that the heart and soul of American democracy is so liberal in its constitution.

So often in the past it has been America that has led the way on making the world a better place for people of different race and views. But now that tolerance has hit a brick wall and it's an endless war against fags and liberals.

What freedom are you all meant to be fighting for if it does not extend to ever person who pays their taxes, doesn't drive drunk and loves their family. Why are you all so filled with hate against pillow biters. Among you men with such hatred of gays, the smell of a closest is often very very strong.

And while it might be laws against homos today, it could well be laws against atheist teachers soon and anyone else not praying for salvation from your Christian god.

But what's the point of debating anything on this blog. It's just a hate sheet like 99% of political blogs.

It's why blogs have no real future until the people that put them out grow up a bit, and start bringing some quality standards to their publishing activities.

How the hell can you replace the MSM when so much of what's published on blogs is just copied from MSM media, that's then strung together with a bunch of crap some blowhard makes up and then posts on their hateblog.

As I said no HR manager would consider a person like Rand with such extreme views fit for employment. So come clean Rand, just why don't you have a real job in the space industry. Is it a problem with furry animals or are you just not up to par.

Rand, I do believe you have a secret admirer!

Don't confuse pity with hate.

. . .like Rand and his merry band of wackos.

Hoo yah!! Can we get jackets or something?

Hoo yah!! Can we get jackets or something?

I could set something up at Cafe Press. How many would buy?

The only hate I see here is the anonymous fellow claiming Rand needs a doctor.

He is absolutely blinded with left wing intolerence and hate. He really needs professional counselling before it permenantly poisions his soul :-(

Please anonymous, open up to us and let us help befor it's too late!

I love our latest anonymous commenter. Better entertainment couldn't be asked for.

Anyone want to speculate on the IQ involved here? I'm putting down money on sub-100.

I'm actually kind of amazed that it can find the intellectual wherewithal to actually find the blog post, the comments link, and type the ungrammatical words in the boxes to put up two comments on the same post.

What is with all of these Left wing losers? Why does anybody who did not vote for Frakenkerry have to be a religious nut who hates homosexuals and foreigners? I for one am getting tired of these cultural elitist telling me how stupid I am.

You lost the election, "Move On" and try to win the next one by not being a condensing prick.

BTW, if Rand wanted a job in the "real" space industry his politics would not matter one damn bit.

Rand needs a doctor said..."I realize this is meant to be all a big joke..."

It was, and OBVIOUSLY, you did not get it. From now on I promise to put this disclaimer at the end of my silliness, (WTPFIC) that being with tongue planted firmly in cheek

ALSO, Rand I would by a jacket or t-shirt that says I'm a mindless right wing drone wacko. (WTPFIC) I would really buy one though.

Can someone decipher this?
"What freedom are you all meant to be fighting for if it does not extend to ever person who pays their taxes, doesn't drive drunk and loves their family. Why are you all so filled with hate against pillow biters. Among you men with such hatred of gays, the smell of a closest is often very very strong."

It sounds like racketeering to only fight to protect those who pay taxes. At best, it seems elitist to suggest only those who pay taxes deserve freedom.