[tt] Pope watched over by flying robots during Lourdes visit

[Eugen Leitl]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/17/pope_robot_guardians/

Pope watched over by flying robots during Lourdes visit

Flocks may safely praise

By Lewis Page

Posted in Science, 17th September 2008 11:13 GMT

All good Catholics are well aware that the Pope walks this sinful Earth safe
in the knowledge that he has robust heavenly backup. More literal-minded
believers might contend that such support, in the event of any worldly
dispute turning ugly, could easily include unsleeping winged guardians that
do not age or die as mortals do.

This has now been confirmed to be absolutely true on occasion, with the news
that the Holy Father was watched over by an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) - a
winged flying robot - during a recent visit to Lourdes.  The Holy Father's
winged, all-seeing guardian

Proverbs 23:5* in action. Pic credit: EADS

Pope Benedict XVI reportedly
(http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hon293XhZtwvOXzJm-2ZCaxTrpyAD9379EA83)
told the assembled faithful at the shrine that people must accept death "at
the hour chosen by God".

It was clear, however, that the temporal overlords of France would not be
above jogging His elbow a little in the event of any disrespect being offered
to Christ's Earthly vicar on their watch.

Aviation Week reports
(http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a5835d6d4-e463-48e2-8b15-1b2bf752c7fc)
that Eagle-1
(http://www.eads.com/1024/en/businet/defence/mas/uav/sidm_eagle_1.html) SIDM
autonomous surveillance platforms orbited on high above Lourdes, providing
what is often profanely referred to in military circles as the "god's eye
view" of the surrounding terrain - and the ability to call down terrifying
hammerblows of destruction from the skies using laser target-designation
systems. Batteries of Crotale air-defence missiles were also on standby in
the event of any impious intrusion being mounted into the Supreme Pontiff's
heavenly exclusion zone.

Military theology buffs no doubt found material for knotty debate in the fact
that the Eagle-1 genuinely comes from the Holy Land, being manufactured by
Israel Aircraft Industries. However, the modern French military is avowedly
secular rather than seeing itself - as its more prominent members have in the
past - as the literal Sword of God
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sword-God-Jeanne-DArc-Joan/dp/0766134067/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1221646906&sr=11-1).

In the event the papal visit passed off without incident, and the temporal
angels of death weren't called upon to do more than watch. ® Bootnote

* Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make
themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.