Posted on 12/07/2002 11:59:26 AM PST by FreedomCalls
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but the USSS has always been pretty touchy where the Pres or VP is concerned. Back when Slick Willie was Pres, a local radio personality went to stand outside a Clinton appearance in our city with a "Clinton Sucks" sign. That's it, just holding the sign near the entrance to the location of the appearance. As he was taping, you could hear an agent approach him and say, "You're not gonna hold that up here" almost in the tone of a question. The radio guy said, "No, I guess not," and left with his sign.
You want to protest, take photos, do whatever, go ahead, but the fact is that around the Pres and VP, they don't screw around.
Every city, town and village have several catch all laws that allow an officer to arrest anyone just because the cops wants to arrest someone. There are crimes like interfering with an officer in the performance of his duty. He tells you to do something or not do something and you disobey. There are a whole series of crimes dealing with being in the area where a president or vice president is located. They were passed after the Kennedy killing. They are federal law and they are tough. But even if the Vice President was not in the area cops can arrest you if they want to do so. They also have the right to lie to you and take anything you have in your possession for evidence. The supreme court has said they don't have to return it until the case is closed. Guess who gets to say when the case is closed?
The Constitution is what ever 5 supreme court justices say it is. And they say it is constitutional for cops to enforce such laws. The supreme court has even ruled it is legal for cops to lie to you. It is NOT legal for you to lie to them.
Every city, town, and even most villages have a law called loitering. To be guilty of loitering all you have to do is hang around one building or location for more than a couple of minutes.
If you are found loitering on a public street or in a public building, you can be arrested. Loitering is a nice legal way cop can take you down for doing nothing at all. I you don't have press credentials, they will nail you for loitering. If you resist they will charge you with resisting arrest. If you do more than passive resisting you will be charged with assaulting a law offerer. If you resist with anything other than your bare hands, you will be charged with assault with a lethal weapon. It will be your word against 5 cops.
YOU are missing the point. He admitted that he was taking pictures of security, ie Sharpshooters and police lines. Only an idiot would proke the USSS. He knew what he was doing and knew the consequences. Nothing dangerous about recognizing stupidity. Take your digital and try and take a pic of Andrews AFB, or the Wash Navy Yard, and you will have some explaining to do if you are caught.....and those rules have been in place long before 9/11. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cops hide their names and badge numbers nowdays.
When they aren't covering their faces and stomping little kittens to death on goons squad house raids, that is.
But then, you knew that...
Bwhahahahahah... ok.
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