This video which seems to have been released by Houston Mayor Annise Parker as a part of the…ahem… Run, Hide, Fight series is nuts. I understand the need for awareness and diligence toward creeps (not just in the USA and not just terrorists) but this ummm “awareness” is over the top – particularly with regard to photographers.
After watching the video and others in the series, there are basically two groups that appear to be the focus.
1) people planting bombs – a multitude of examples including vests, backpacks, people trying to gain access to do this; and…
2) people taking photos – of public spaces? and exits? and… huh?
Seriously? Those are the two groups we should fear? I’m particularly referring to roughly the 1:45 mark where the specific vilification of photographers or “people with recording devices” is a big WTF.
So, in short, yes Mayor Parker we should keep a collective eye out for nutjobs. I’ll all for awareness, but I hate fear mongering. And pull your head out.
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Wanna know more about photographers rights? Check out this post or this post AND… very importantly…tune into the next chasejarvis LIVE episode on August 29th in collaboration with ASMP.org where I’m hosting a world class panel that’ll discuss the current and future state of photographers rights…the good, bad and ugly about some changes in our landscape.
(Thx Trey for link)
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America is fucked, plain-and-simple, and it’s not due to any terrorist activities.
Duck and cover. Duck and cover. Reminds me of those nuclear bomb threat videos I’ve seen. Advising children to duck and cover under their desks at school if being attacked with a nuclear bomb. Helpful info? Not really. Those should have said “duck and kiss your ass goodbye!”
First time I watched this was at work so it was muted, and the hypocrisy really stands out if you cant hear what they are saying. Notice the only one arrested was the only one not actually doing anything illegal.
Is this a ad for the 24 series?
Paranoia, it’s the American way.