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 ...
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?
Jason looks like your typical 3rd world Latin American commie hell bent on power.
Screw him and his bill!
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.
Or they ‘think’ they can search my car.
I said it's a double-edged sword.
The guy is blatantly lying that it doesn’t take liberties away from people. For this alone he should be recalled and removed.
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.
I called and left a message, I asked if he was out of his mind.
“How did someone this stupid get elected in Texas?”
This is the same state that kept re-selecting err electing ron paul.
Cameras are Needed, pretty soon the cops won’t even know you have the camera on. Privacy is dead for everyone, live with it.
makes the GOP look bad.
RINO
Not really. Too many R’s are not for liberty.
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.
Whew! I overlooked the word "state." I'm relieved that he's not in Congress.
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.
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.
IOW, you find the use of cameras questionable because police officers don't like them.
That’s probably what has been said about a lot of people that are now in DC.
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