----- Original Message -----
From: "Gonz"
Subject: Re: More Texas Photo Issues
I agree with this pretty much 100%. Its not a dragnet that I'm advocating
in my position, nor do I advocate unjust accusation, conviction, or
sentencing. I do however, agree with the statute that certain types of
photography are "inappropriate", including the "up-skirt" shoe based
cameras, cameras in areas where people expect some degree of privacy, such
as dressing rooms, while in a vulnerable position, etc. There should be
no expectation of privacy when we are in public for someone to see or hear
something we thought should be private. Its not a crime if someone
happens to see or hear something, but its the capturing and disseminating,
etc., that I think the law is trying to prevent. If some individual is
caught doing this, and his camera has pretty much nothing but this, then I
tend to err on the side of investigation rather than just a warning and
letting him go, for the reasons I mentioned before. If his camera shows
nothing but simple snaps, I have reasonable expectations that the police
are not going to now search his car, house, etc. If they do, then that is
certainly abuse of power. I think we are probably both saying the same
thing, from different perspectives.
You are advocating arresting people for taking pictures of people at
football games, and snapshots of people on the street.
You are presuming, with no evidence to back you up, and a couple of rather
vague news references that actually disagree with your presumption of
content, that said pictures were inapropriate.
William Robb
