TSA Poster Equates Photographers with Terrorists

[saxshooter]

Apologies if this has been discussed previously on this forum.

A new U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) poster campaign to encourage vigilance and public awareness to "suspicious activity" shows a person in a dark hooded sweatshirt pointing a camera at a small jet, with the warning, "Don't let our planes get into the wrong hands."

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is taking issue with the TSA on this. Story link published at poynter.org is HERE

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Shows you how stupid the TSA are. Simply go to Airliners.net to see how common the pastime of photographing at airports is. No one need wear a hood. This is a throwback to the childishly simplistic anti-communist propaganda of the 50s.

 

[nikon_sam]

As soon as you accept this "Truth" the better off you will be and then you can get on with the rest of your life...

"Hi, My name is Sam and I'm a Terrorist..." see I feel soooo much better!!! Now you say it...😎😛😀

 

[damien.murphy]

I feel sorry for you guys. It is a pity photographers are so under-represented, as this to me seems like a violation of a photographers civil rights.

I mean would you expect to see images of racial minorities on posters about crime, for example..

 

[40oz]

My uncle recently lost his cool in an airport when a "little old lady" was singled out for an extensive search. I agree the woman should be free from such harassment, but I'm not sure my uncle feels the same way about non-"little old ladies" (his words).

IMHO, the problem is the idea that we can somehow stop terrorism by hassling people. And the perception that "terrorists" are not simply people. People making bad choices, but still people that are not easily identified with a convenient sign or arrow over their head.

Oh, and the sheer stupidity of the "experts" working for TSA and similar groups. :shakeshead:

 

[sepiareverb]

I hope the TSA photographer who made that image was thoroughly searched.

 

[John Rountree]

In the U.S. the terrorists have won the psychological war. That poster is just one small example.

 

[rpsawin]

I have a friend who is an executive in charge of Asian relations for the Port of Seattle. This happened in the last few days at Sea-Tac Airport:

"Seattle had the honor of the visit by the First Lady of former Korean President Kim Dae-jung last week. Our airport ops did all the careful prep work for this V-VIP delegation but upon departure through the security checkpoint, TSA insisted to do "pat-down", in public view, as the 80-plus year old First Lady was on a wheel-chair. I am very unhappy but they say that's the rule."

Come on....South Korea not North!

Best regards,

Bob

 

[akalai]

Previous RFF post here;

Be Careful where you point your lens
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95107

 

[robklurfield]

watch out for guys in hoodies!