8.09.2006
If The Jackboot Fits…
In Plattsburgh, NY you have the college and the city. The college is referred to as Plattsburgh State. The city can be referred to as Plattsburgh Police State.
Word on the street: don’t take photographs.
For example, check out this story by someone who has been the focus of some inappropriate attention.
The cops like to bully photographers. It’s part of a trend across the country. Are the cops suffering from 9/11 paranoia or are they haunted by the specter of Rodney King? Or are they just bored and like to flex their legal muscle for personal entertainment? Or maybe the significant other had a headache again, no sex for a week, so it’s time to take out some frustration on Joe Citizen.
Anyway, if you like to take pictures, don’t do it when the Peeburgh cops are around. They will try to browbeat you. “What are you doing?” “You not allowed to take that shot.” “I want to see what you’ve been shooting; show me on your camera’s screen.”
Of course, there’s this document called the Constitution. The cops will trample both you and it if you go along with their bullying.
I wonder if the cops are using the same kind of intimidation against members of the mainstream media. I wonder how many images are suppressed, images that the public has a right to see.
I would advise shutterbug tourists to stay the hell away from Plattsburgh, NY – unless you like to be treated like a terrorist for just taking a snapshot. I would advise all photographers, amateur and professional, to avoid this crypto-Nazified pissantville until the city police decide to treat law-abiding citizens as human beings with rights.
And if the police bully you in an unconstitutional way, make sure to let others know. Announce it loud and clear. When the word gets out, that will keep more tourists away. Let’s hit them where it hurts – right in the wallet. After all, the true God of America is The Almighty $.
# posted by Stan Spire @ 3:42 AM 
