Goose-stepping is closer than you think.

[Cobrabill]

Published: Thursday, September 03, 2009
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano this week suggested citizens should call law enforcement when they see someone taking a picture of "critical infrastructure." Photographing rail lines from public property remains perfectly legal, but Napolitano suggests citizens should call police anyway.

"One of the things we ask people to do," Napolitano told Fox News, "is when they see something unusual, if they see, for example, somebody continually taking photographs of a piece of critical infrastructure that doesn't seem to make any sense … to report that to local law enforcement so it can be followed up on."
__________________________________________________ _______________

A government official telling us we need to call the cops on people engaged in LEGAL activies.

Now,for those of you who say that comparing the current administration to to Hitler's Germany is a "far fetch",i have two words for you:

SIEG HEIL!!!

[computerworks]

I won't even begin to try and figure out how you connect dots.

But, FYI, that advisory was created shortly after 9/11 at the start of Homeland Security.

[Cobrabill]

Are you sh!ttin"me?

That snapperhead is telling ME to call the cops on rail fans taking pictures of trains from a public street/location which is TOTALLY,100% legal.

[computerworks]

I don't know about trains... but this appears to be existing boilerplate in most state security plans..

Q. What exactly is "suspicious" activity?

A. No one knows what goes on in your neighborhood better than you. You may see things or hear things that seem out of the ordinary and may indicate suspicious or illegal conduct. Law enforcement officials often rely on the instincts and perceptions of citizens to detect activity that is out of the ordinary.

Q. What kind of activity should I look for?

A. You should immediately report people who photograph, videotape, sketch, ask detailed questions or seek blueprints for:

* Airports
* Water supplies
* Dams
* Bridges
* Major highway intersections,
* Tunnels
* Power plants and substations
* Transmission towers
* Pipelines
* Tank farms
* Military installations
* Law enforcement agencies
* Defense contract sites
* Hospitals
* Health research facilities
* Internet
* Phone
* Cable
* Communications facilities and towers
* Capitol, court, and government buildings
* Historic structures and national landmarks

Q. Is it necessary for me to give my name and phone number to the authorities?

A. It is extremely beneficial to the case if we are able to contact you for follow-up information and details. You will also need to provide contact information, if you would like a response to your message.

Q. Will my identity be protected?

A. While your contact information may be shared among the appropriate law enforcement agencies as a contact, we will make every effort to keep your identity confidential.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by computerworks

I don't know about trains

No kidding.But look at the second sentence in the opening paragraph.

[computerworks]

...even a policy in Arizona.

http://cid.dps.state.az.us/index_files/page0001.htm

http://www.azdohs.gov/8Signs.asp

[Cobrabill]

None of those mention rail fans engaged in their LEGAL hobby.

Please post another non-sequitur.

You really can't stand it when i'm right-can you?

Anyone who says the cops should be called on people engaged in LEGAL ativities is a NAZI and should be taken out and summarily SHOT.

[computerworks]

...sure.

[Dan40]

And I don't imagine the tunnels and pipelines mentioned above include taking pictures of the illegals streaming through tunnels and through holes in the fence or trails [pipelines] where no fence exists.

[cobra de capell]

I'm thinking that CobraBill's point is that - let's get real, throw in "if someone with a rag on their head" is taking pictures of infrastructure, give the police a call.

Regardless, noting each time that Americans are asked to report other Americans is useful information - opinions about that task shouldn't be chastised for not being able to connect dots. We all need to be watchful with Obama as POTUS, questioning everything.

[Excaliber]

I was stationed at Ft. Devens Mass. for a time during my service. It was standard protocol to report anyone hanging around the base area taking pictures, drawing pictures, etc. ANYONE caught doing that was in big trouble, military or civilian.

[elmariachi]

They need to put up some cameras and screens like this to solve the problem:

[VRM]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

I'm thinking that CobraBill's point is that - let's get real, throw in "if someone with a rag on their head" is taking pictures of infrastructure, give the police a call.

Regardless, noting each time that Americans are asked to report other Americans is useful information - opinions about that task shouldn't be chastised for not being able to connect dots. We all need to be watchful with Obama as POTUS, questioning everything.

You do realise that the guys who hijacked the planes on 9/11 were not wearing anything on their heads.

And don't forget - the President gets to decide who gets wiretapped, and if he thinks you are dangerous enough he does not even need to go through a court to do it. I wonder if you guys are on the list?

Steve

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I was stationed at Ft. Devens Mass. for a time during my service. It was standard protocol to report anyone hanging around the base area taking pictures, drawing pictures, etc. ANYONE caught doing that was in big trouble, military or civilian.

As it should be.But a rail fan taking pictures of trains(Trainwatching),something that has happened,and ENCOURAGED by Railroads since the 1800's?

BNSF is one of the few Class 1's that doesn't have their head up their a$$(es).They WANT rail fans out there taking pics & things, as the "Foamers"know better than the crews when something is"not right/out-of-wack".They even have a number for them to call.

Bottom line-That Snapperhead what you to call the cops on someone enjoying their hobby.And half to two-thirds the time,there are kids with them.

[Excaliber]

I don't think those rail road pictures takers with kids have much to worry about, in the UNLIKELY scenario where a citizen does make a report and the UNLIKELY scenario an officer actually responds to a "guy with kids taking pictures of a train".

I made a big charge on my credit card the other day. Card company called me to confirm the "unusual" activity. Frankly, I was glad to hear from them! Nothing wrong with tight security when you've got nothing to hide.

[Cobrabill]

Read the second line of the opening paragraph.Amtrash has already started harrassing law-abiding citizens

[tcrist]

Bill,
What we should do is call the police about every little thing we see. It won't take long before even they ask us to stop.

[Cobrabill]

Sounds good,but i would hate to have someone really need the cops and have them on the other side of their"beat" dealing with somone who likes trains and just wants pictures of them..There's another angle i have even touched-resource allocation.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Nothing wrong with tight security when you've got nothing to hide.

Then why were a few of the loons on the left so exercised over Bush's NSA looking at a few offshore emails?

Scott S

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Sounds good,but i would hate to have someone really need the cops and have them on the other side of their"beat" dealing with somone who likes trains and just wants pictures of them..There's another angle i have even touched-resource allocation.

I agree Bill. No need to screw over the police because of some a$$hole in the whitehouse wants you to tattle on John Q.

Terry