Sometimes it’s hard to make the case that Democrats are represented by some really dumb people when one of our own cuts to the front of the line.
A congressman from Ohio had cops grab the cameras of constituents during a town hall meeting. Steve Chabot, a Republican, had cell phones and cameras confiscated in order to “prevent an embarrassing Youtube video from making the rounds,” according to Carlos Miller, who runs a blog documenting efforts by the state to stifle the First Amendment rights of photographers.
Sorry, but I wouldn’t give up my camera. While I am a member of the media, I can see concerns the congressman was more than willing to blow off, like the fact that most smartphones nowadays are a bridge to your personal information. Who would be holding onto those phones? It only takes seconds to extract phone numbers, email addresses, passwords to banking sites, etc. and why should we trust some congressional staff punk with them? And you’d think (IF Chabot was smart) you’d want to have as many people videotaping as possible so if Think Progress took something out of context, they’re would be complete footage of an incident.
Idiot.
Sounds like a RINO running for cover.
Furthermore, they cops have absolutely NO RIGHT to confiscate cameras unless it’s for evidence. I would’ve told the cop to go pound sand, it’s an unlawful/illegal order (Second Amendment, for crying out loud!). And I would have resisted as well.
Twits.
When I saw the headline on this story, I thought ‘this has to be a Democrat’, but then I read further and lo and behold, no, it was a dumb Republican. There is nothing that should be more public than a public official giving a speech in public(it was a ‘town hall’ meeting – how much more “public” can you get?) . . . and this guy instructs his staff and security to confiscate cell phones & cameras???? As Igor says, must be a RINO trying to cover his tracks, past and future. If this guy is afraid to have his public speeches videotaped, he needs to vanish, or be vanished.
What a dumb ass! He just made matters worse; a lot worse. I would have resisted, as well, asking where’s your warrant? The police or “security” has no right to confiscate my personal property without cause. F’ them.
That’s one congressman that will not be re elected.
If he were in my district I would do absolutely everything I could to make sure he was not re-elected. Even if the Dumbocrat was to win. Come to think of it, I would run against him and excoriate him every chance I would get.
When law enforcement thinks they are issuing a lawful order, such as confiscating personal property like that camera, I do not attempt to hold court in the street.
“You do what you think you have to do, but I want you to know that I WILL conTEST it!”
Having served as law enforcement at a much younger age, I know the drill.
Do you know why the Sheriff’s wear stars but the Police have round badges?
It is because the round badge does not hurt as bad when a judge and two lawyers stick it up your ass on court day…