Question About Photgraphing Gov't Buildings In US

[Rlibersky]

As you say, it may be a cultural thing, but, from an outside point of view the US has gone 'way over the top' in it's 'vigilance'. Personally I think it's because you are not used to being attacked on your home soil.
We suffered over thirty years of terror attacks in Britain. We surcombatted it, without even half the restrictions now being enforced on you guys across the pond.

I agree with Lee. You need to let us know what restriction you are talking about. I have photographed refineries, electrical plants, government buildings, and others.(since the 9/11 attack). No official has told me I can't. Some of the police that show up, although not often, are apologetic about someone calling in.

Could be Minnesota nice. I guess.

 

[Andy K]

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/us_law/loss/assessing/assessingnewnormal.htm

 

[chuck94022]

As you say, it may be a cultural thing, but, from an outside point of view the US has gone 'way over the top' in it's 'vigilance'. Personally I think it's because you are not used to being attacked on your home soil.
We suffered over thirty years of terror attacks in Britain. We survived it, and combatted it, without even half the restrictions now being enforced on you guys across the pond.

Andy, have you personally experienced any of this "way over the top" in the US or are you just parroting what you read from the web and see on TV?

I actually traveled to the UK during your country's troubles with the IRA. When I went to the airport (Heathrow) on my departure there was a tank - a goddamned TANK! - sitting on the roadway just inside the airport, menacingly facing the traffic.

While I was waiting for my flight, I was accosted by a plainclothes cop of some kind and interrogated about who I was, why I was there, where I was going, where I had been, etc., etc. He didn't throw me up against a wall or anything, but it was very clear that if I even thought about walking away that is what would happen next. This wasn't at a security checkpoint. I was just in the waiting area, minding my own business.

Now I was a normal looking businessman at the time. I was dressed well, and had nothing with me but my carry-on luggage.

You call that normal? That's never happened to me in the US.

 

[chuck94022]

For more information on Britain's own internal security branch, MI5, follow this link to their homepage:

http://www.trousers.co.uk/mi5/

Definitely worth reading for anyone living in or travelling to the UK...

 

[Andy K]

Chuck, until this year I was a regular visitor to the US. I've been to New York, Miami, Orlando etc on the usual tourist trek.
This year I will not be visiting. I refuse to be fingerprinted like some kind of criminal at customs.

 

[Andy K]

For more information on Britain's own internal security branch, MI5, follow this link to their homepage:

http://www.trousers.co.uk/mi5/

Definitely worth reading for anyone living in or travelling to the UK...

I was going to reply with a sarcastic link to a CIA or FBI spoof, but there are too many to choose from...

 

[chuck94022]

I refuse to be fingerprinted like some kind of criminal at customs.

Personally, I think that beats getting accosted by the police while minding my own business like they can do in the UK, but, hey, to each his own. Post some nice shots from where ever you decide to go!

 

[chuck94022]

I was going to reply with a sarcastic link to a CIA or FBI spoof, but there are too many to choose from...

Ya gotta admit that one's pretty funny...

 

[BradS]

I refuse to be fingerprinted like some kind of criminal at customs.

Hmmm...why pass up a chance to give 'em the finger(s)?

 

[Andy K]

Personally, I think that beats getting accosted by the police while minding my own business like they can do in the UK, but, hey, to each his own. Post some nice shots from where ever you decide to go!

You're kidding right? In Miami I got accosted by a neanderthal in police uniform just for crossing the road! Another time I was stopped for not wearing a shirt, when it was 90 degrees. Another time for drinking beer from a can.
Don't they have real criminals to hassle?

 

[chuck94022]

You're kidding right? In Miami I got accosted by a neanderthal in police uniform just for crossing the road! Another time I was stopped for not wearing a shirt, when it was 90 degrees. Another time for drinking beer from a can.
Don't they have real criminals to hassle?

Well what do you expect, Andy? From a *CAN*? And I thought you came from a proper society...

 

[Bob F.]

Chuck, the only times that armoured assault vehicles (never "tanks" - *WAY* too big for the job) similar to the US Bradley fighting vehicle, have been deployed at Heathrow was when mortars were fired by the IRA at the Airport from a perimeter road (they landed in the grass & didn't explode...). If you were unlucky to have been passing through Heathrow at that time, it's hardly surprising that security was heightened...

Only other time was a few months ago when there was an alleged imminent strike planned against landing planes by everyone's current favorite terrorist organization. Not everyone was convinced, given Blair's track record in "interpreting" intelligence reports.


Liked the link: in case anyone was wondering, in the Enemies section, where it says "these b*stards", the picture is of the MI6 headquarters... Shane Richie you will not have heard of: lucky you...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[BradS]

You're kidding right? In Miami I got accosted by a neanderthal in police uniform just for crossing the road! Another time I was stopped for not wearing a shirt, when it was 90 degrees.

Lucky you weren't wearing a thong and bikini top.

 

[TPPhotog]

..... Liked the link: in case anyone was wondering, in the Enemies section, where it says "these b*stards", the picture is of the MI6 headquarters... Shane Richie you will not have heard of: lucky you...

Cheers, Bob.

I wonder why everyone picks on poor uncle ken? At least he says as he sees and adds some humour to our current day boring politics

 

[chuck94022]

Chuck, the only times that armoured assault vehicles (never "tanks" - *WAY* too big for the job) similar to the US Bradley fighting vehicle, have been deployed at Heathrow was when mortars were fired by the IRA at the Airport from a perimeter road (they landed in the grass & didn't explode...). If you were unlucky to have been passing through Heathrow at that time, it's hardly surprising that security was heightened...

Only other time was a few months ago when there was an alleged imminent strike planned against landing planes by everyone's current favorite terrorist organization. Not everyone was convinced, given Blair's track record in "interpreting" intelligence reports.

I'll take your word for it. I was in the Air Force, not the Army, though I once dated a woman whose father worked on the Bradley.

Whatever it was, it was Big, Metal, with a BIG GUN on the top, pointed in our direction. Nice way to enter Heathrow!

This was around 1986 or 1987 if memory serves.

 

[Andy K]

The Heathrow mortar attack was March 9th 1994.
The light tanks at Heathrow due to a bogus warning from liar Blair was February 11th 2003.

 

[chuck94022]

The Heathrow mortar attack was March 9th 1994.

Actually I was there that day, taking tourist photos of Heathrow. Let me go thru my old shots... hey, look, I think I captured it on film... um... wait... isn't that you, Andy, on the left (appropriately...)? (See attached)

 

[Andy K]

It is plain to see those are US troops. Probably practicing friendly fire.

 

[Bob F.]

I wonder why everyone picks on poor uncle ken? At least he says as he sees and adds some humour to our current day boring politics

It's alright for you: you're miles away in sunny Devon. I have to put up with the herpetological, drunken, halfwitted excuse for a retarded cretin of a Mayor and his harebrained, stupid and highly expensive dimwitted schemes for London :rolleyes:

I wonder if MI5 will take me on now: always wanted my own fountain pen that shoots poison darts...


Cheers, Bob.

 

[TPPhotog]

It's alright for you: you're miles away in sunny Devon. I have to put up with the herpetological, drunken, halfwitted excuse for a retarded cretin of a Mayor and his harebrained, stupid and highly expensive dimwitted schemes for London :rolleyes:

I wonder if MI5 will take me on now: always wanted my own fountain pen that shoots poison darts...

Cheers, Bob.

LOL Now you know one of the reasons I don't stray far from Sunny (errrm it's pouring with rain ready for all that bootiful clotted cream at the moment) Devon

How about we bring back Tony Benn?

 

[Andy K]

People may not agree with his views, but having seen a couple of documentaries on Tony Benn I'd have to say he was probably the last real politician Britain had. Now we just have people driven by the cult of personality who don't understand they are elected to represent us, not to rule us.
As for Ken Livingstone? He's a poisonous little twerp who was probably bullied at school and is now compensating for it.

 

[Daniel Lawton]

Don't you just love how the internet has allowed the international community to exchange pleasantries in a jovial manner. The cold war is over and now we argue over who's law enforcement agency is the biggest a-hole. Probably a perfect example of why all treaties and international unions have and always will fail at some point! :")

 

[TPPhotog]

Tony Benn did have the convictions of his beliefs to denounce his title etc. Sadly I think that we are now missing politicians in the UK that live their beliefs and have character. I remember as a kid I could recognise politicians when they came on the TV, know what party they represented and usually knew who they were.

These days they all look like the same grey suited stereo-type accountants (sorry any accountants out their) and have no appeal in any way what so ever. No surprise that most people today have no interest in either politics or even voting.

 

[Andy K]

Always vote Tony, even if you only spoil your slip always vote. If I feel none of the candidates represent me or deserve my vote then I spoil the paper with the words, 'None Of These Deserve My Vote'. My vote is then counted as 'spoiled' and the politicos cannot claim I was apathetic or stayed at home content with the way things are.

 

[TPPhotog]

Fear not Andy I always vote, it's just getting harder to decide who for as there doesn't seen much difference these days :confused: I might even land up voting this year for the scottish party or as they like to call themselves the lib-dems ouch