Thread: The War on Photographers

Originally Posted by Chimensch

When I went to college in NYC (1966), I used to like to walk across the George Washington Bridge. I live in Italy now but in 2005, I visited NYC with my wife and her two sons and I took them for a walk across the bridge. From the moment we set foot on it until the moment we got off, we were followed by a policeman on a bicycle. We weren't stopped or interefered with in any way, but the sensation of being watched was very uncomfortable and, needless to say, I wouldn't do it again.

You see, my reaction to this is to feel safer and appreciate that the police are being vigilant. I would have smiled and said "how ya' doin'?" to the policeman because I know I have nothing to worry about from him. We view things from different places/perspectives.

Jordan

Originally Posted by jnich67

You see, my reaction to this is to feel safer and appreciate that the police are being vigilant. I would have smiled and said "how ya' doin'?" to the policeman because I know I have nothing to worry about from him. We view things from different places/perspectives.

Jordan

guess so. I'd feel quite the opposite.

I'm the kind of asshole that would tell my wife and kids to stare back for about five minutes. It's funny how quickly people will leave you alone when you do that. Plus, it's not like he can arrest you for it.

On the one hand, I can see people getting mad at photogs because of what Google is doing with Google streets. It's cool, but they really invade some people's privacy too much. For the most part though, and especially with the article, it's BS. Why do the police need to be called to search this man? The private security could have discussed the issue with him and had it been taken care of with no issues. Instead, he calls the police to have them do his job for him. What could have been a quiet conversation ended up being a shady search.

Originally Posted by jnich67

You see, my reaction to this is to feel safer and appreciate that the police are being vigilant. I would have smiled and said "how ya' doin'?" to the policeman because I know I have nothing to worry about from him. We view things from different places/perspectives.

Jordan

I dont need the babysitter.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I dont need the babysitter.

I don't either, but the bridge does...

Jordan

Originally Posted by jnich67

I don't either, but the bridge does...

Jordan

Really? I'm sure that tens of thousands of cars cross the bridge every day. One car with explosives could do a lot more harm than four people on foot with nothing in their hands. This was just another example of FALSE security that is intended to intimidate ordinary people.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

Really? I'm sure that tens of thousands of cars cross the bridge every day. One car with explosives could do a lot more harm than four people on foot with nothing in their hands. This was just another example of FALSE security that is intended to intimidate ordinary people.

No, it's not. In order to take down a bridge or other target, a certain amount of research is often required and or done. Catching someone in the process of "casing" the job is a good way of preventing an attack. I'm not intimidated by a cop watching me. Again, you seem bothered by the very principle of it because of an inherent mistrust of any authority. I'm not and I don't think most here are.

And...do you really think we're dealing with people who are so stupid that they won't try make themselves look innocent by bringing kids or an old lady with them? I'm not exactly an evil mastermind and I could figure out that one and a few others.

Jordan

[quote=jnich67;248899]I don't either, but the bridge does...

Jordan[/quote

Then let him watch the bridge, the guy was with his wife and kids. I remember being stopped one time by a couple of overweight small time barnie fife types, my wife was with me ,our small dog, our 8yr old daughter and her friend, there was an empty .308 case on the console , they told us to get out of the vehicle, and I asked why and they informed me it was because of the shell case, I mentioned that it was obviously empty and they told me that they had to be concerned about THEIR safety(not the publics). I told the two of them that maybe they ought to find a safer means of employment. It took them a while but they eventually found a way to give a ticket. This is the kind of crap that will be fostered by a security obsessed nation and/or its govt. Its not your well being they are looking out for. As jockey mentioned(excuse the paraphrase) we are all criminals, we just havent been caught yet, when they find it convenient and serving their purposes you'll be guilty.

[QUOTE=nun2sharp;248907]

Originally Posted by jnich67

I don't either, but the bridge does...

Jordan[/quote

Then let him watch the bridge, the guy was with his wife and kids. I remember being stopped one time by a couple of overweight small time barnie fife types, my wife was with me ,our small dog, our 8yr old daughter and her friend, there was an empty .308 case on the console , they told us to get out of the vehicle, and I asked why and they informed me it was because of the shell case, I mentioned that it was obviously empty and they told me that they had to be concerned about THEIR safety(not the publics). I told the two of them that maybe they ought to find a safer means of employment. It took them a while but they eventually found a way to give a ticket. This is the kind of crap that will be fostered by a security obsessed nation and/or its govt. Its not your well being they are looking out for. As jockey mentioned(excuse the paraphrase) we are all criminals, we just havent been caught yet, when they find it convenient and serving their purposes you'll be guilty.

I'll just say this again and then I'll butt out of this, for now. I disagree that the government "has it in for us" and has a conspiracy going to turn us all into criminals. There are plenty of real criminals for them to chase. The government has enough trouble accomplishing its easy goals. I'm not worried about their ability to turn me into a criminal. This is pretty much the root of our disagreement and arguing details is somewhat useless.

I go about my business and if a cop wants to watch me doing it, that's his concern, not mine. You always get a few (not most, but few) overzealous cops - it goes with territory. That happened before 9/11 and will continue in the future.

The question is, should we tighten security given the nature of the 9/11 attacks? I'd say yes. How we go about that is certainly open for discussion and refinement.

Jordan

I just don't understand why so many people are afraid. Myself, I find it dehumanizing. Kind of takes the thrill away from many situations.