[Leica] Photo student harassed in Seattle by Homeland Security

[buzz.hausner at verizon.net (buzz.hausner@verizon.net)]

You know, I have been arrested and harassed all over the world for taking 
photographs.  Maybe it's just me and maybe I just attract authority figures. 
 The first time I was run in, I was fifteen and taking pictures on the IRT 
in New York in 1965.  I have been "arrested" for taking innocuous pictures 
at Entebe airport in 1975.  I was arrested for taking pictures of a ship in 
Dar Es Salaam harbour.  I was detained for taking pictuires of railroad 
tracks in Bulgaria in 1970.  Several other such incidents have befallen me.  
Photographers have been given a hard time for doing their job probably since 
Daguere.  Are there any serious photographers out there who HAVEN'T been 
arrested,detained, or otherwise hasseled byu some authority prior to 
September 11, 2001?

Buzz Hausner
> 
> From: sdp35 <sdp35@cwazy.co.uk>
> Date: 2004/07/16 Fri AM 08:14:02 EDT
> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Photo student harassed in Seattle by Homeland Security
> 
> Fundamental questions here:
> 
> - Did the 9/11 hijackers need photos to do their deed?
> - Did the Madrid bombers need photos of the train to do their deed?
> - Would terrorists need photos of the NYC subway to attack it?
> 
> Of course not.  For the plane attacks, they needed flying lessons, not 
> photos.  For railway attacks, all they'd need is about $20 for several 
> fares, and spend the day riding the trains and making mental notes.  
> For the coordinated attacks themselves, add explosives and a couple of 
> cheap wristwatches to synchronize the actual blasts.  Nothing more.
> 
> Arresting/harassing photographers making images of public edifices like 
> bridges, power plants, etc does not, in any way, make anybody safer.  
> It's 'feel good' security - it makes it LOOK like the Gov't is 
> protecting the citizenry...but it's false security.
> 
> Craig Zeni
> Mayberry, NC