Posted on 03/13/2015 4:29:19 PM PDT by Rusty0604
Texas State Representative Jason Villalba (R-Texas) has found himself at the center of controversy after filing a bill that would make it a crime for bloggers and independent journalists — as well as regular citizens — to film police officers. Despite the backlash from free speech advocates, Villalba is insisting that his bill “does not infringe on constitutional rights” or “limit liberty in any way.”
Villalba’s bill would also make it illegal for private citizens to record their own interactions with police officers. In fact, the language is so broad, in prohibiting “documenting” the police officer’s activities, that taking notes during a conversation with an officer, about what was being said, the officer’s badge number, etc., could be construed as a violation.
Villalba himself took to Twitter to defend the bill, with a tweet around 6 p.m. Central Time that insisted that his bill would not stop citizens from holding police accountable or prohibit filming.
Villalba then continued tweeting late through the night, until about 4 a.m., defiantly defending his bill and daring anyone who disagreed with him to “find me an opponent” and vote him out of office.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Is it a "questionable practice" for police to film you?
Or is "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" a one-way street?
How did someone this stupid get elected inn Texas?
Who goes to jail when a mounted security camera records a cop?
Cuz your dad was a weakling, your mom an ugly, dissipated Lady of the night and your dog is UGLY.
So ugly that your dog's face can break cameras, which is OK by me CUZ I HATE THEM
(and you).
We need to make the USA more like MEH-HEECO.
The police only oppose filming them because they loose control of the narrative.
The TX republican party should cast this jerk out.
IMHO.
Even if someone is unsure about filming police today, they should realize that it is becoming almost impossible not to, since our everyday items are such natural recording devices.
In five years won’t the idea of having discussed making it a felony to record life in public, seem laughable, or worse, terrifying?
This guy is an IDIOT! What the hell is he thinking?
He received his indoctrination at the University of Texas School of Law.
He's a lawyer with Haynes and Boone.
Local FReepers in his district? Challenge accepted?
its not called public for no reason....
If you mean what some posters often say, that "we don't know what made the cops angry before the video started", then that is no point at all.
When cops get busted for homicide or beating a man into the hospital or even to death without having to, or framing someone, then it really doesn't matter what annoyed them and led to their criminal act.
they should not worry about being recorded in public places —
Turning it around: If you have nothing to hide, I can search your car
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I am REALLY mad, and beat the crap out of somebody, I don’t get to say, “It’s okay; I was REALLY mad.”
Record them all..
Especially since Texas had a couple of cases where the police did genital probes right on the highway.
Very funny, and really stupid. I cannot stop somebody from looking at me or taking my pic at the bus stop. That does NOT mean he or she can come search my home.
He is asking for it.
Wrong in so many ways.
If the police can film you, you can film them. If it is in an area that is open to the public, there is NO expectation of privacy so anyone can be filmed and recorded. Private property owners and other areas that are not public access, then the owner gets to decide what is recorded.
Nope. Public employees (police) need to be held to the same standard and that needs to be more freedom, not less.
/johnny
I didn’t say that I opposed it, I said it was a questionable practice.
I also pointed out that it cuts both ways....
I don’t have an answer, other than I think it’s a bad idea to codify it as illegal to film the police. That would give them a license to go completely out of control with zero oversight and this alleged Republican ought to know better.
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