Protest the proposed MTA photo ban--Dec. 18, 2004

[jd callow]

I received a xmass catalogue form a philanthropic photography society this past month that featured multiple gifts depicting the Brooklyn bridge. I thought it was pretty funny and a bit of a tongue in cheek slap at the current restrictions.

Meanwhile, on my recent trip to the big apple we were stopped by the police, our names and ID taken and checked (and probably added to a list) because we were shooting on the street in Queens. God knows that of all the god forsaken patches of real estate in the USA Queens is the most desirable terrorist target.

I can't wait for my next international trip. I suspect I better wear clean underwear...

[Jeffrey A. Steinberg]

I thought the MTA announced that they were going to do away with the ban. Am I dreaming that? It was about 3-4 weeks ago I thought I read about it in the newspaper. I think the ban is still in effect but they were going to rescind it.

[David A. Goldfarb]

The ban has never been in effect. It was proposed, withdrawn from consideration, and now has been proposed again.

[lee]

man, I just looked at the photos David shot of the protest and that is the scarriest group of malcontents I have seen in a long while. Nice job David.


lee\c

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks, Lee. The one with the sign was sporting an A-1, and you KNOW she can do some damage with that thing.

[rbarker]

David - nice job on the reportage photos. It's unfortunate that someone didn't show up with a 12x20 on a tripod with dolly wheels. I wonder how they'd feel about flash powder.

[Sean]

As someone who moved overseas before the American way of life changed, it's almost surreal to read about things like this going on back home. Where is the final line going to be drawn?

[jd callow]

As someone who moved overseas before the American way of life changed, it's almost surreal to read about things like this going on back home. Where is the final line going to be drawn?

I honestly believe that the citizens of the USA are not prepared to defend their founding values or the 'American way of life' -- the way of life taught to school children: liberty, justice, equality, pursuit of happiness, etc -- but are all to willing to protect their fantasy of material entitlement. At some point I would hope that the realization will come that real freedom requires real risks and that freedom trumps risks every time. Until then more threats, or attacks will prove existing policy inadequate and sterner measures will be applied and when these prove ineffectual even sterner measures will be applied and when...

[Alex Hawley]

The cops we encountered didn't seem too enthusiastic about enforcing the ban, if it is enacted. You can buy plenty of books even at Grand Central Terminal with detailed photographs of the construction of the subway system, plans and anything else an enterprising terrorist might want.

And never mind TV shows like Modern Marvels on the History Channel.

Nice shots David. Too bad you missed Life Magazine by about 30 years. Did you use the 4x5 Graphic?

This does seem highly absurd. YoSama YoMama must be getting a good chuckle out of it.

It finally dawned on me today why we haven't won the war yet. We haven't gotten the Cartoons involved. We need to enlist Popeye and Bugs Bunny and get them on the job. Well, it worked against Hitler and Tojo. Better get the Three Stooges going too.

[Andy K]

I honestly believe that the citizens of the USA are not prepared to defend their founding values or the 'American way of life' -- the way of life taught to school children: liberty, justice, equality, pursuit of happiness, etc -- but are all to willing to protect their fantasy of material entitlement. At some point I would hope that the realization will come that real freedom requires real risks and that freedom trumps risks every time. Until then more threats, or attacks will prove existing policy inadequate and sterner measures will be applied and when these prove ineffectual even sterner measures will be applied and when...

That is not solely a US malady. We have the same disease on this side of the pond too. Compulsory 'Biometric' ID Cards for everyone in the UK, for the first time ever in 'peacetime' in our history, with a £1000 fine for refusal to carry one. And jumped up little Hitlers everywhere ready to object to photography on the loosest grounds of 'security'.