People of Texas, do you know that THIS is..? It's a PHOTO. It was taken with a CAMERA.
I DO *NOT* LIKE CAMERAS..!!
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 ...
I think that filming police is a questionable practice, but necessary in some cases. There are far too many cases of police over-reaching and then charging the individual to cover themselves for that over-reach. In other cases the filming of the police is a trap for them as the individual escalates the incident and then selectively releases that which suits them.
But the idea that you make it a felony to film the police, especially coming from a Republican is obnoxious and the voters in this guys district need to think about another person to serve as their representative.
/johnny
People of Texas, do you know that THIS is..? It's a PHOTO. It was taken with a CAMERA.
I DO *NOT* LIKE CAMERAS..!!
There is nothing questionable about filming a cop. In all of American history, anywhere you could stand legally, you could operate a camera.
This new security state crap is sickening. We do not order society and liberties around what is best for government and the cops.
Vllaba? Empowering the police state? Good Lord. Where or was he educated?
Sheer idiocy. It’s nonsense like this that makes the GOP look bad.
This bill makes it a misdemeanor. Are you OK with that?
With Bonehead running the House and McCommie running the Senate, this could pass.
Oh a law and order type. /s
Well then there’s that pesky document called the Constitution. Irritating.
Nope. It should never be a criminal offense to photograph cops or politicians in public.
EXCELLENT question.
VERY well said.
What’s his email address, I want to tell him “ póg mo thóin”.
OMG, I need to call my state rep and oppose this bill. I believe the vast majority of police discharge their duties lawfully, and, if they do so, they should not worry about being recorded in public places. But I have seen too many cases of abuse of police power to be able to support this bill.
State Rep
If the police are performing a public duty, they cannot expect privacy. As long as the person doing the filming does not interfere with the officer’s ability to perform his duties, there should be no question towards it.
Well, he’s a Texas STATE representative, so “Bonehead and McCommie” won’t get a shot at this one.
Ping.
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