On 10/16/05, William Robb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
That really is the crux of the matter, isn't it?
Is the simple act of looking through the viewfinder of a camera enough of a
probable cause to give the police unfettered rights of harrassment?
In the first place, no reasonable person would think that.
In the second place, most police officers are reasonable people. Well,
in Texas, anyway. I've no idea about Canada.
As I carry a camera everywhere I go and regularly photograph whatever I
find interesting, obviously I would be nervous about any situation in
which the "authorities" were going to pick on photographers. Despite all
your paranoid ranting on this thread, that story you cited doesn't
describe such a situation, and such a situation does not exist in San
Antonio, Texas.
On the OTHER hand, if there is a pervert going around taking
pornographic pictures of young girls without their consent, and
collecting sexually explicit information about pizza delivery customers,
and carrying weapons in his vehicle, and furthermore this is happening
in the district in which I, my daughter, my cousins and several friends
live, attend public events and order pizza, I'd appreciate it if there
was a way to stop him. At best he's invading people's privacy; at worst,
he's dangerous.
It's necessary for laws to strike a balance between allowing a person to
do just what he feels like doing, and protecting the privacy and safety
of other people.
