This Is Going Too Far

[James]

Oh no no no! ITs worse, not only will there be an attack from an unknown direction, but it will out do the severity of the 9/11 attack by a catastrophic degree.

So our Intellegence Sources tell us.

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
I'm not sure how to ease the overreaction except for maybe stop with the stupid Homeland Security press releases "We have no idea when or where or if it is credible, but there may be an attack" Tom Ridge is useless when he does that shit and just goes back to McCarthyism scare tactics- then you have the public and po-po reactions that photographers are threats to the US.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
We used to call such people tourists.

People are now banned from taking pictures in the subway here. This is ridiculous. It won't stop anything. Boxcutters were banned from airplanes before 9-11. What was needed was secure cabin doors.

Stopping photographers is a waste of resources. We're going after a potential effect of a cause, not a cause. This is completely irrational.

Is there really a ban of taking photos in the subway? I heard about it on the news, but I didn't think that it was official yet.

I am a photographer as a hobby. I have no credentials. I do take pictures all over the city, and I have never been stopped. I am right near a bridge so I see the stepped up security on a daily basis. That security seems to focus on the cars and traffic. I haven't heard of this being an issue in NYC, but I might be wrong.

I do agree that this is an infringement on our civil liberties. I am not really sure what the alternative is. I think that life after Sept. 11th can be difficult, but I am willing to put up with it to be safe. I am not really sure what the answers are to the many questions raised about civil liberties and national security.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Is there really a ban of taking photos in the subway? I heard about it on the news, but I didn't think that it was official yet.

There is, and its being enforced.

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
I do agree that this is an infringement on our civil liberties. I am not really sure what the alternative is. I think that life after Sept. 11th can be difficult, but I am willing to put up with it to be safe. I am not really sure what the answers are to the many questions raised about civil liberties and national security.

I agree with Ben Frankin when he wrote, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." As I see it, this does not make us safe. It just moves us into the direction of a police state.

[DeltAlum]

The Homeland Security people have a rough job, but the "cry of wolf" syndrome may do just what the original story suggests -- cause us not to pay attention.

The typical Homeland Security announcement always sounds to me like what I always thought should be a "tease" when I was directing TV newscasts:

"The Sky Is Falling -- Film at Eleven!"