Metropolitan Police photographer campaign

[Andy K]

As much as I am gratified that other people have now discovered that terrorism isn't so great, I somewhat object to being lectured on a threat some of us have had to put up with for most of our lives as if it were something new. What is new is our own governments giving in to that threat by using it to oppress us all.

My thoughts precisely.

 

[jpeets]

What is new is our own governments giving in to that threat by using it to oppress us all.

Could you elaborate on how you are being "oppressed"?

Terrorism has been around for a while, but the global scope, Islamofascist underpinnings, and wearying frequency of plots is a new thing.

I am often surprised by people who expect privacy in public places, and object to demonstrably useful public security measures.

In times of war it is a given that freedoms are curtailed for the greater purpose. While we are not at war, we are under threat, and it is naive to expect the status quo to continue. I'm not saying that we should roll over and let the government do as it pleases, just that a delicate balance needs to be found.

 

[Andy K]

I don't remember needing to be surveilled 24/7, needing to be questioned for having a camera in a public place or indeed I don't remember living in fear when the IRA were regularly bombing Britain.

'Islamofascist'. Ok, I think I see where this thread is going. :rolleyes:

Better start telling the public to phone the police if they see anyone with a suspicious looking beard, or carrying a rolled up carpet, or rubbing an old oil lamp...

 

[Kent10D]

Part of the lunacy and short-sightedness of this approach is that if some terrorist nut case feels the *need* to take photos of something, he/she can quite easily do it, and will do it, without obviously waving a camera around. These guys are not likely to be whipping out an SLR with a 300-mm lens and taking shots while furtively looking over their shoulder if they know that's going to get them in trouble.

This kind of "campaign" can only make 'em harder to spot.

Not smart, IMHO.

 

[jpeets]

Better start telling the public to phone the police if they see anyone with a suspicious looking beard, or carrying a rolled up carpet, or rubbing an old oil lamp...

Huh?

So you see no common denominator to these events?

Ah yes, I forgot about the well known Norwegian terrorists that leave backpacks full of lutefisk lying about.

And could someone tell me how we are "oppressed"? Gosh, it's so awful, makes you wonder why so many folks will go to great lengths to come and be so oppressed .....

Please note that I agree, this latest thing about photography is silly, and should be objected to. But to then engage in hyperbole and dismiss real concerns over terrorism, well, that's equally silly.

 

[23mjm]

SO don't use a little point n shoot

But seriously it is time to educate the local cops

 

[okto]

The TSA has directly caused the deaths of two people, and seriousy endangered at least one more. At the point where you let idiots kill people in the civil sphere, you're no longer accomplishing anything positive.
Plus, none of the sacrifices of freedom have been useful. We have been protected from a sippy cup and several laptops, because they might have been harboring terrorism. Terrorism is well-known by our crack minimum-wage TSA agents to be a physical substance, not unlike heroin or C4 explosive.

Ben Franklin said it best:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

 

[23mjm]

The TSA has directly caused the deaths of two people, and seriousy endangered at least one more. At the point where you let idiots kill people in the civil sphere, you're no longer accomplishing anything positive.
Plus, none of the sacrifices of freedom have been useful. We have been protected from a sippy cup and several laptops, because they might have been harboring terrorism. Terrorism is well-known by our crack minimum-wage TSA agents to be a physical substance, not unlike heroin or C4 explosive.

Ben Franklin said it best:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Would love to read about that "death of 2 people thing by the TSA"

 

[DanielOB]

Here is mine one:

... it is film camera. and he accused me

"so you are refusing new technilogy, what is wrong with you...."
By the way we have prity good police in Canada and so not much trouble. Many policeman here are very inteligent guys.

 

[WarEaglemtn]

"It seems hardly a week goes by without some scheme being revealed."

Since the mass murder on Sept 11 in New York City, how many have been stopped? How many prosecuted? Not much done at all when you look at results.

In the meanwhile we have lost a couple hundred thousand Americans to traffic accidents and murders. Seems the paranoia gets the money and the real problems continue.

 

[JBrunner]

That guy I saw in the al-Qaeda t-shirt that got away before I could call him in is damn proud of the hand over fist way we are embracing a surveillance society. I found more terrorists in my bran flakes this morning too.

I don't know what I'd do if every idiot with a cell phone wasn't calling the police on sight of my camera, and that I can't take a creative pi$$ without being under scrutiny. We've got to get us before they do... oops, I meant get them.

Thank god I'm safe.

 

[nc5p]

If the authorities had more intelligence than a turnip, they would be asking everybody to TAKE photos. I thought pictures people took of the subway bombing helped them identify some of those responsible. Instead, they play this senseless game of treating everyone as criminals. I have one thing to say to law enforcement: Congratulations, you've made enemies out of your own countrymen. Good luck doing your job now!

 

[pentaxuser]

If the authorities had more intelligence than a turnip, they would be asking everybody to TAKE photos. I thought pictures people took of the subway bombing helped them identify some of those responsible. Instead, they play this senseless game of treating everyone as criminals. I have one thing to say to law enforcement: Congratulations, you've made enemies out of your own countrymen. Good luck doing your job now!

Oh and don't forget that once you do make enemies of your own countrymen you then need the equivalent of the GDR STASI to keep everyone in order.

A STASI country is a state of mind and not determined by "national genes" so can't happen here doesn't apply. Falling into that state just requires a non questioning acquiescent state of mind. It's very easy to get there and relatively painless but the subsequent cure is like cold turkey for "druggies". Better never to go there.

pentaxuser

 

[sausage100uk]

just wait until we get the UK patriot act......