tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553278593406733377.post1303132044092603105..comments2024-03-20T00:37:30.189-04:00Comments on Photo Business News & Forum: Trampling on First Amendment - AGAINJohn Harringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16941161605443479300noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553278593406733377.post-46668303242174383472010-08-31T08:27:02.284-04:002010-08-31T08:27:02.284-04:00Last week (week of August 22nd) I was at the Linco...Last week (week of August 22nd) I was at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC at 6:30 AM photographing the monument. As usual for me, I was snapping away, varying my lenses, hand holding and bracing myself against the columns when an officer came up to me and asked if I was working an assignment. He asked me the expected questions - who I was (wanted ID), why I was taking so many photos, where I was staying, etc. - but, while he was serious, he was never rude or belligerent. The event only lasted a minute or two, but I can't help but think - the terrorists have won. Before 9/11, no one would be questioning me unless I was doing something illegal. And the government is damned regardless of the situation. With the underwear bomber and the Times Square (NYC) bomber - we are lucky they failed - the government is criticized for its bungling the situations (it was a street vendor who spotted the suspicious vehicle in Times Square). And when the police do question someone (like me) we suggest they are nazis. To be clear, I didn't like being questioned - it was an uncomfortable situation - but what is the middle ground?Rich Greenhttp://www.richgreenphotography.comnoreply@blogger.com