Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Who let the nuts out of the asylum? I both encountered and read about dimwits who tried and are attempting to prevent picture shooting on grossly absurd bases recently: 1) I went to the opening of the new subway in L.A. recently with my M6 and 21 mm ASPH and a male Metropolitan Transit Authority rep rushed up to me and insisted I stop taking photos. I asked why and he said, "This is private property and no picture taking is allowed". I corrected him by stating "federal (our tax) dollars paid for this system and, therefore, public access and photo taking are assured privileges". He said, "No, we built this, this is our property, and we have the right to state what can and cannot take place on our property. Photo shooting is not allowed". I told him to get lost. Then I saw him approach a photographer from a local newspaper and overhead him telling her the same crap. Dimwit! 2) "Laws before the French Parliament dictate that photographers could not take pictures of criminal suspects wearing handcuffs, or of crime scenes where a victim's dignity is jeopardised. The measures form part of a broader bill to boost the rights of criminal suspects and victims of crime..." These manifestations of suppression are tacky and are probably not the last we will see arise, and I'm certainly not eager to see what occurs next. What an absurd era we live in! Terry