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Texas Rep. Villalba Files Bill That Criminalizes Bloggers, Citizens Filming Cops
Breitbart Texas ^ | 03/13/2015 | by Sarah Rumpf

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 ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: jasonvillalba; texas
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To: Ouderkirk
I think that filming police is a questionable practice

What the hell..?

Your government is tracking all of your movements, your phone conversations, your bank transactions, your voting preferences, your purchasing, your internet behavior, etc.

They've also marked you for life with several unique I.D. numbers which cross reference between too many databases to mention. Let's not even start with how many times a day you're filmed by government cameras of all sorts.

And you think it's questionable to film their officers while they're engaged in public duties?

61 posted on 03/13/2015 5:38:29 PM PDT by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: gaijin

Jason looks like your typical 3rd world Latin American commie hell bent on power.

Screw him and his bill!


62 posted on 03/13/2015 5:44:31 PM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal
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To: mtrott

Of course.

Look at my tagline. I believe we live in an upside down world best described with sarcasm, irony, hypocrisy, and cynicism.

My comments generally reflect this.

Thus: Can’t film cops, but they can search my car.


63 posted on 03/13/2015 5:47:43 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (/s /s /s /s /s, my replies are "liberally" sprinkled with them behind every word and letter.!)
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To: Scrambler Bob

Or they ‘think’ they can search my car.


64 posted on 03/13/2015 5:48:30 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (/s /s /s /s /s, my replies are "liberally" sprinkled with them behind every word and letter.!)
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To: Rusty0604; JRandomFreeper
Where did I say citizens shouldn't film?

I said it's a double-edged sword.

65 posted on 03/13/2015 5:50:31 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: Rusty0604

The guy is blatantly lying that it doesn’t take liberties away from people. For this alone he should be recalled and removed.


66 posted on 03/13/2015 5:50:46 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Ouderkirk

he’s an open borders REP. I had videotaped my own arrest currently being litigated. Had I not filmed you can bet I would not stand a chance of stopping qualified immunity. Many cities, counties etc...are finding that they end up in court over poorly trained officers. the TX FAIL TO ID LAW is the number one citation misunderstood by cops.


67 posted on 03/13/2015 5:56:20 PM PDT by magna carta
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To: gaijin

I called and left a message, I asked if he was out of his mind.


68 posted on 03/13/2015 6:14:11 PM PDT by Ace the Biker (I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could.)
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To: antidisestablishment

“How did someone this stupid get elected in Texas?”

This is the same state that kept re-selecting err electing ron paul.


69 posted on 03/13/2015 6:20:45 PM PDT by 2CAVTrooper (Scouts Out!)
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To: Rusty0604

Cameras are Needed, pretty soon the cops won’t even know you have the camera on. Privacy is dead for everyone, live with it.


70 posted on 03/13/2015 6:29:51 PM PDT by dila813
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To: Rusty0604
He shall be primaried.
71 posted on 03/13/2015 6:38:22 PM PDT by CPT Clay (Follow me on Twitter @Clay N TX)
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To: arderkrag

makes the GOP look bad.

RINO


72 posted on 03/13/2015 6:40:17 PM PDT by CPT Clay (Follow me on Twitter @Clay N TX)
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To: samtheman

Not really. Too many R’s are not for liberty.


73 posted on 03/13/2015 7:01:39 PM PDT by Henry Hnyellar
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To: Windflier

I do find it questionable, for the reason that cameras tend to escalate things.

I’m not saying that is should be illegal. My post does not say that I agree with the Rep, in fact I find the idea of criminalizing filming to be a bad idea.


74 posted on 03/13/2015 7:02:09 PM PDT by Ouderkirk (To the left, everything must evidence that this or that strand of leftist theory is true)
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To: Henry Hnyellar
Yes, you are right. But I still find it embarrassing. If he was a dumbodem, this would make more sense. But a Dumbo R...
75 posted on 03/13/2015 7:06:35 PM PDT by samtheman
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To: Wingy
Well, he’s a Texas STATE representative, so “Bonehead and McCommie” won’t get a shot at this one.

Whew! I overlooked the word "state." I'm relieved that he's not in Congress.

76 posted on 03/13/2015 7:11:47 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: Ouderkirk

A camera does not escalate things. The photographer knows they are recording their own behavior. At most they ask pointed questions. The only escalation I’ve seen is when a cop is angered by a camera and loses his composure,,,,, which is -exactly- what needs to be documented.


77 posted on 03/13/2015 7:16:03 PM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office.)
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To: 2CAVTrooper

Don’t forget Sheila Jackson Lee. Of course she doesn’t claim to be a Republican. I don’t think Ron Paul would think much of this bill.


78 posted on 03/13/2015 7:24:32 PM PDT by Rusty0604
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To: Ouderkirk
I do find it questionable, for the reason that cameras tend to escalate things.

IOW, you find the use of cameras questionable because police officers don't like them.

79 posted on 03/13/2015 7:26:01 PM PDT by Ken H (DILLIGAF)
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To: Fiji Hill

That’s probably what has been said about a lot of people that are now in DC.


80 posted on 03/13/2015 7:27:13 PM PDT by Rusty0604
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