More Silly Restricrions

[surlysimon]

Very silly
Yet more evidence that Street photograhy maybe doomed!

 

[John Rountree]

Over-reactionary fools! So, just what is the fighting about if we lose all of our freedoms in the process? If you can't exercise freedom, do you really have any? These are very frightened, small minded people. Let them live with their fears and paranoia. I find it remarkable how many are willing to live their lives at the lowest common denominator.

 

[f/stopblues]

I find it quite comforting that non-photographer government people are taking notice of things "going too far". I'm glad they're taking action to reverse the photgraphy ban in this particular area.

Naturally its disconcerting that it happened in the first place. Unfortunately the perceived threat of people snapping photos probably won't fade until some other things do as well. Making people aware of the absurdity of the whole thing is a great way to dispel the fears.

 

[SDK]

The Aussie mall has nothing on DHS for stupidity!

The Aussie mall has nothing on DHS for stupidity!

You think that's silly, have a look at the US Homeland Security memo on "critical infrastructure." Very disturbing because it's so vague and overbroad, classifying a lot of photography as "suspicious behavior." This is from the same agency that lists California's "Trees Of Mystery" tourist trap and a Tennessee flea market as "critical infrastructure," and says there are more critical institutions in Indiana than New York, according to National Public Radio.

MSNBC ran a story that includes this

the Homeland Security assessment of New York this year failed to include Times Square, the Empire State Building the Brooklyn Bridge or the Statue of Liberty as a national icon or monument.

“I was made aware of this for the first time this morning,” said Sherry Lewis, owner of the Old MacDonald’s Petting Zoo in Huntsville told MSNBC.com. “We’ve never had a disturbance, never had a bomb threat,” she said. “This is getting out of hand.”

Really this incompetence is outrageous, and coupled with paranoia can be dangerous.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

It's about the incredible power of a small camera and a lonely man... Must believe me, these people with cameras are a threat to civilization! 😱

For some reason, and despite the fact that during the seventies and eighties they were under serious and real terrorist threats, I felt a lot better snapshooting in Germany.

Anyway... thank goodness for the good fodder paranoids make! 😉

 

[RML]

Photographers aren't terrorists! They're witnesses! We must shoot more. One day our photos will be evidence in cases against criminals and terrorists. Better start shooting now and have the evidence handy when the police begs you for help.

 

[jan normandale]

Lets be clear here, if anyone is up to "no good" they will take all the shots they want and probably use a camera hidden in a bag, or a camera phone etc. The reality is the 'bad guys' (who ever "they" are) can take all the shots they want and not be seen.

 

[lubitel]

Photographers aren't terrorists! They're witnesses! We must shoot more. One day our photos will be evidence in cases against criminals and terrorists. Better start shooting now and have the evidence handy when the police begs you for help.

Exactly! if a terrorist act actually happens, then the authorities ask civilians if anybody has taken any photos or videos at the location. But if it was forbidden - no such "tourist evidence" will exist.

I wonder what the rules on public photography are in Israel?