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07/28/2005 10:25:10 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Yeah, because harassing photographers helps fight terrorism YEAH RIGHT. Dude, you're defending the police -- they are not just doing their jobs. If I were a terrorist, I'm not sure what I would do...but I definately wouldn't be out in public taking photos of bridges with a huge DSLR and being all conspicuous about it. I'd have a sweet little pocket-cam, and go after them. The cops should just mess with the pocket-cam guys. |
Deapee, I didnt say harrassment is right, i didnt even say anything about fighting terrorism! and also i agree with you that someone trying to take candid shots would probably be carrying pocket-sized cameras which are more convenient. |
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07/28/2005 10:25:27 PM · #27 |
The "war on terror" is officially over as per the White House. They are now calling it the "global struggle against violent extremism." I kid you not!
But now, I think you could call it the "war on American civil rights." |
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07/28/2005 10:29:46 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by deapee:
You know, guys and girls...if we just ALL STOPPED paying taxes, everything would be fine...they couldn't possibly lock us all up!!!! |
Deapee, LOL! But taxes goes to other areas too, like the fire department, schools... |
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07/28/2005 10:30:57 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by Travis99:
...I say, screw that. I am much more likley to be killed in a car accident then a terriost attack. ... |
Gee wonder how many people killed by terrorist said that just before a plane crashed into their work place.
The only reason that statement is true is because of the police and military doing their duty and checking out people, protecting US. You may or may not have been suspecious to him but I'm sure he was doing his job and probably not just for you, I'm willing to bet he has a family he wants to come home to and kids to tuck in at the end of the night.
I've been stopped, watched and questioned and would much rather give my ID and waste some of my time knowing it is for my protection. But maybe I'm just used to it since I have to do it EVERYTIME I step outside my military base. (edited to correct that I have to show my ID to get back ON TO my base where I live and work)
You don't like looking suspecious and being questioned then maybe you should stop photographing altogether.
Message edited by author 2005-07-29 08:17:51.
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07/28/2005 10:31:25 PM · #30 |
Again, what bothers me most is keeping "lists". Like the blacklists of the writers "suspected" of being communists. What happens when you get on the list. And they catch you in that suspicious activity (photographing) time and time again!
I must have been to Lock 7 (a lock which is part of the historic Erie Canal) twenty times in the past year taking pictures. If they started keeping track by this "metric", how suspicious is that? So far, no one has ever questioned me there. But is it a matter of time?
Imagined Police Report: We have caught this man photographing 4 different bridges. He has been back to the same bridge 4 times taking pictures. He keeps taking pictures of the Erie Canal locks. He must be up to no good.
Sounds like a photographer or photoenthusiast to me. Or a DPC member.
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07/28/2005 10:38:12 PM · #31 |
| Here in Coloreado, state Cops have a contact quota system. They have to contact so many persons per shift, either tickets, helping stalled motorists, harassing hitch hikers, etc. You may have been an easy contact for the cop for his quota of contacts. I've been quotaed in Arizona twice, i.e. I asked a state trooper for directions, and he told me about his quota system of contacts, so asked for my id., I gladly gave it to him. I think ya may be a bit paranoid, but living in the east or California, I maybe too. |
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07/28/2005 10:40:13 PM · #32 |
True, nobody likes to be a suspect or put under scrutiny. I had my name in a "list" too, for sitting alone by the boat docks at way past midnight. It was funny tho, maybe they were thinking, this kid must be waiting for illegal shipments of AK-47s or something (LOL!) Well, the point is, its their job. They are required not to take risks when it comes to the public's safety. I may sound like I'm protecting the law enforcers, but the truth is, I also get pretty mad when they stop me for no reason (to me anyway). But the point is, if I really happened to be waiting for a shipment of illegal AK-47s at the docks that night, and my gun shipment managed to reach some doped teen and start shooting schoolmates and teachers the next day, the police office who "didnt" take down my name or questioned me that night, would have failed the people he serve.
Message edited by author 2005-07-28 22:41:42. |
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07/28/2005 11:23:14 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by deapee:
What rights do you have when stopped by the police? Can you refuse to show identification? |
Not anymore. The Supreme Court took away that right last year. |
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07/28/2005 11:25:48 PM · #34 |
[/quote] Gee wonder how many people killed by terrorist said that just before a plane crashed into their work place.
I've been stopped, watched and questioned and would much rather give my ID and waste some of my time knowing it is for my protection. But maybe I'm just used to it since I have to do it EVERYTIME I step outside my military base.
You don't like looking suspecious and being questioned then maybe you should stop photographing altogether. [/quote]
First, I bet none of them said that.
Second, I have to show my ID when I go on to my base not leave it.
Third, I really hope you are joking.
Message edited by author 2005-07-28 23:26:40.
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07/28/2005 11:44:47 PM · #35 |
This really belongs in rant.
If the cops want to ask me about what pictures I'm taking, fine. I'll show them and tell them more than they care to know. If they want to check my ID, fine. I'll show it to them. If they want to run me through the computer, fine, go ahead. Just don't tell me I can't do something I damn well know I should be allowed to do.
What pisses me off is when they have the gall to tell me that I no longer have the right to stand on PUBLIC property and take pictures of what I see. Especially when there is no such law. The problem is when some individuals in law enforcement decide to fabricate laws and then go enforce them. It's even worse when it's some "I wannabe a cop but can't lay off the donuts" so called Security Guard who tries to enforce laws about taking pictures that only exist in his imagination.
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07/28/2005 11:50:26 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by vtruan:
Here in Coloreado, state Cops have a contact quota system. They have to contact so many persons per shift, either tickets, helping stalled motorists, harassing hitch hikers, etc. You may have been an easy contact for the cop for his quota of contacts. I've been quotaed in Arizona twice, i.e. I asked a state trooper for directions, and he told me about his quota system of contacts, so asked for my id., I gladly gave it to him. I think ya may be a bit paranoid, but living in the east or California, I maybe too. |
He lied about the contact thing - he was suspicious of where you were going to go. LOL
The contact thing sounds legit - if he bas X contacts then we the taxpayers (or his boss anyway) knows he was doing something besides smoking dope, i mean, eating donuts all day.
I figure the best thing is when approached by a cop, respond with "Man, am I glad to see you! There was this guy, he was suspicious lookin', and i got out my camera to take his picture, but he was too fast for me. he got in this van with this other suspcious looking guy - they said something to eachother in a foreign language ya see..."
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07/28/2005 11:54:21 PM · #37 |
How about a T-shirt that says:
"Photographer: Please do not disturb or I might shoot you."
;) |
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07/28/2005 11:56:00 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
How about a T-shirt that says:
"Photographer: Please do not disturb or I might shoot you."
;) |
LOL - I'll take two in XL please. |
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07/28/2005 11:59:26 PM · #39 |
I also want one
Message edited by author 2005-07-29 00:03:51. |
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07/29/2005 12:02:27 AM · #40 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
What is this country coming to? What are my rights? Could I have refused to give him my name? Or asked him not to write it down? I was stupid because I didn't get any information about him. I want to make sure I am not on some government list now. |
The question is not what is this country coming too but what has the country been through. You said the state patrol was nice. And I believe he was doing his job, trying to keep us safe. Luckily this time he ask an innocent person what he was doing. Post 911 makes this country a different place to live and yes I do agree with you that loosing some freedom hurts but not as bad as loosing another three thousand people or more in my opinion.
As far as showing your ID, yes if asked by a City, State, or Federal agent you must produce a picture ID. In most states if you do not or cannot produce a picture id you can be detained until you identity is proven. Don̢۪t let that be on a Friday because you may have to sit in jail till Monday. As far as being on a list, I doubt it. When he does his daily report it will be reviewed. If you were determined to be a threat then they may look at your background. But that is about as far as it will go unless you have something outstanding or fallible. And yes, if you were concerned you should of taken down his badge number, name, and post ID. An agent/officer must provide you by law with that information at the time of conversation or in a police report.
Originally posted by deapee:
Screw that...I'm fed up with the police messing with honest, law-abiding citizens.
This stuff gets me all fired up because seriously, sometimes, police have a job to do, but most of the time, I think they just like being nosey. |
You have it backwards, it should be most of the times police have a job to do, but some times, I think they are just being nosey.
When you have a job that could go from calm to chaos in a blink of an eye, from the wind blowing to bullets flying, and being blamed for not doing your job to being blamed for doing you job what should someone expect?
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07/29/2005 12:08:30 AM · #41 |
Why assume the police officer was concerned in the slightest about terrorist activity? Rest stops are notorious for certain activities that are not quite within the laws. I do not find it odd at all that he decided to check out a guy taking pictures in a parking garage at a rest stop. I bet a good portion of the world not afflicted with DPC'itis would think it strange as well.
Probably wanted your ID to see if you had been hanging around there or were a problem there in the past. Likely came back clean, and the officer never paid any further attention to it. Certainly no reason to think you are on any terrorist list or the like.
Am I being too simplistic? Is there more to it? |
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07/29/2005 12:12:04 AM · #42 |
Originally posted by Patents4u:
Why assume the police officer was concerned in the slightest about terrorist activity? Rest stops are notorious for certain activities that are not quite within the laws. I do not find it odd at all that he decided to check out a guy taking pictures in a parking garage at a rest stop. I bet a good portion of the world not afflicted with DPC'itis would think it strange as well.
Probably wanted your ID to see if you had been hanging around there or were a problem there in the past. Likely came back clean, and the officer never paid any further attention to it. Certainly no reason to think you are on any terrorist list or the like.
Am I being too simplistic? Is there more to it? |
Well, I did forget to point out that I was stark naked at the time. ;)
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07/29/2005 12:13:49 AM · #43 |
Ok - I have to step in here. My father was a cop, my brother was a cop and my nephew is a cop, all in NY. I agree it is not the individual cops. They are doing their job.
But, it is the policy makers in law enforcement taht give them stupid jobs to do. Blanket policies like stopping and questioning people taking pictures is pure crap. Let officers use a little common sense in what is a potential threat or suspicious action and what is not.
And yes we live in a great country. But how long do you think that the loss of liberty will go on? How far does it have to go before we do not live in a great country? When does it reach the point that we are a police state? We all would have different answers to these questions but we would all in fact have a limit that represented crossing the line. |
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07/29/2005 12:14:16 AM · #44 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Well, I did forget to point out that I was stark naked at the time. ;) |
Hey, I think maybe you're just too darn good looking so he just wanted to know who you are ;) |
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07/29/2005 12:17:56 AM · #45 |
| Curious... How many of you questioned the need for many of the particulars needed when filling up a form? or when filling up an online form, like the one you did for joining DPC? |
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07/29/2005 12:19:17 AM · #46 |
Originally posted by shadow:
Curious... How many of you questioned the need for many of the particulars needed when filling up a form? or when filling up an online form, like the one you did for joining DPC? |
ahhh .... but it is about choices. In these cases we had the contol to chose. |
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07/29/2005 12:20:48 AM · #47 |
Originally posted by shadow:
Curious... How many of you questioned the need for many of the particulars needed when filling up a form? or when filling up an online form, like the one you did for joining DPC? |
We don't give out our SSN's anymore. And we've started asking places that already have it (like the hospital) to remove it from our records. Identity theft is a real problem now.
I try not to supply more information than needed. |
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07/29/2005 12:22:11 AM · #48 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Well, I did forget to point out that I was stark naked at the time. ;) |
Well there you go - the officer just wanted your info so he could ask you out on a date. Don't you feel silly now feeling all violated over a little police love?
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07/29/2005 12:23:34 AM · #49 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
[I figure the best thing is when approached by a cop, respond with "Man, am I glad to see you! There was this guy, he was suspicious lookin', and i got out my camera to take his picture, but he was too fast for me. he got in this van with this other suspcious looking guy - they said something to eachother in a foreign language ya see..." |
Just the line I was planning to use next time ... "I'm always on the lookout for suspicious characters, and I don't have a camera-phone, so I always carry my camera with me just in case, so I can document anything important." |
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07/29/2005 12:30:01 AM · #50 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
We don't give out our SSN's anymore. And we've started asking places that already have it (like the hospital) to remove it from our records. Identity theft is a real problem now.
I try not to supply more information than needed. |
I understand that and it is a real problem. About two months ago my aunt received a doctors bill for my grandfather. The problem was my grandfather did not see that doctor more importantly my grandfather has been deceased since 1977. |
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