Comments on: Private security at London Olympic site illegally harasses photographers shooting from public land http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 13:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Mark McNulty http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1403395 Mark McNulty Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1403395 Thos photographers would have been disappointed if they hadn't have been stopped.  Thos photographers would have been disappointed if they hadn’t have been stopped. 

]]> By: Mantissa128 http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1403194 Mantissa128 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1403194 I'm surprised there aren't taser-lenses for cameras that shock anyone stupid enough to put their hands over it. I’m surprised there aren’t taser-lenses for cameras that shock anyone stupid enough to put their hands over it.

]]> By: kraut http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1403016 kraut Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1403016 Why would filming a security checkpoint be of use to anyone? It's of bugger all use to terrorists, that's for sure, so the constant attempts to stop photography are a sign of paranoia.  I'd love to see them travel back and try that act in China 4 years ago. When did China become an example to follow? Why would filming a security checkpoint be of use to anyone?
It’s of bugger all use to terrorists, that’s for sure, so the constant attempts to stop photography are a sign of paranoia.

 I’d love to see them travel back and try that act in China 4 years ago.
When did China become an example to follow?

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402906 That_Anonymous_Coward Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402906 Please point out where, other than in the fevered imaginations of the security drones, where they were actually filming the checkpoint. The ridiculous actions were those of the guards who are not officers of the law, and have no power on the public property where they decided to flex their muscle. Your focusing on 1 tiny thing to make this all alright, but you have no proof.  Maybe they were taking photos of this giant boondoggle that is going to end up costing everyone tons more money. You see my avatar and decide you know the who, what,  and how I am, your primed for a job in security.  Unable to actually think in terms without making connections that might only exist in your own mind. Maybe I support blowing up Catholics... had you considered that?  Didn't think so. (In my defense they called me names first.) Please point out on the doll where I ever claimed I was objective. Please point out the thousands of times peoples rights have been trampled on by overzealous rent-a-cops drunk on their own power. So I might not be objective, but it is hard to maintain ones objectivity when the rule of law is being trampled.  When corporations have more rights than people.  When a rent-a-cop decides they get to make the call as to what rights people might be allowed to have. While you didn't directly support the guards you went out of your way to cast the photographers and the people videoing the guards lying about the law as the ones in the wrong. Please point out where, other than in the fevered imaginations of the security drones, where they were actually filming the checkpoint.

The ridiculous actions were those of the guards who are not officers of the law, and have no power on the public property where they decided to flex their muscle.

Your focusing on 1 tiny thing to make this all alright, but you have no proof.  Maybe they were taking photos of this giant boondoggle that is going to end up costing everyone tons more money.

You see my avatar and decide you know the who, what,  and how I am, your primed for a job in security.  Unable to actually think in terms without making connections that might only exist in your own mind.

Maybe I support blowing up Catholics… had you considered that? 
Didn’t think so. (In my defense they called me names first.)
Please point out on the doll where I ever claimed I was objective.
Please point out the thousands of times peoples rights have been trampled on by overzealous rent-a-cops drunk on their own power.

So I might not be objective, but it is hard to maintain ones objectivity when the rule of law is being trampled.  When corporations have more rights than people.  When a rent-a-cop decides they get to make the call as to what rights people might be allowed to have.

While you didn’t directly support the guards you went out of your way to cast the photographers and the people videoing the guards lying about the law as the ones in the wrong.

]]> By: Hubert Figuière http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402904 Hubert Figuière Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402904 He forgot to say that in Vancouver 2010™ they banned so many people... also he forgot to tell about the protests and other things. In short he was lying. He forgot to say that in Vancouver 2010™ they banned so many people… also he forgot to tell about the protests and other things. In short he was lying.

]]> By: CaptainPedge http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402898 CaptainPedge Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402898  tresspassing on public property  tresspassing on public property

]]> By: George Tomorrow http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402899 George Tomorrow Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402899 G4S are infamous in the UK events business for being over-zealous ham-fisted half-wits. The amount of hassle they generate makes them a nightmare to work with. G4S are infamous in the UK events business for being over-zealous ham-fisted half-wits.

The amount of hassle they generate makes them a nightmare to work with.

]]> By: CaptainPedge http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402897 CaptainPedge Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402897 What purpose does the Olympics(tm all rights abused) serve? What purpose does the Olympics(tm all rights abused) serve?

]]> By: Sagodjur http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402890 Sagodjur Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402890 And here I was going to give your comment a thumbs up and laud your absurd parody of an authoritarian shill. There goes Poe's Law for you. And here I was going to give your comment a thumbs up and laud your absurd parody of an authoritarian shill. There goes Poe’s Law for you.

]]> By: CLamb http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402878 CLamb Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402878 I was disappointed the video ended so early.  I would've liked to see the police response after collecting information. I was disappointed the video ended so early.  I would’ve liked to see the police response after collecting information.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402874 Wreckrob8 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402874 We had some bloke from Vancouver over here in London telling us that once the party had started all the gainsayers would get swept up in the atmosphere of the whole thing and we would all have a spiffing time and be proved wrong. I can't wait. We had some bloke from Vancouver over here in London telling us that once the party had started all the gainsayers would get swept up in the atmosphere of the whole thing and we would all have a spiffing time and be proved wrong. I can’t wait.

]]> By: James http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402852 James Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402852 Yes. It's one of earth's great mysteries. Yes. It’s one of earth’s great mysteries.

]]> By: James http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402849 James Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402849 It serves no purpose. But then, walking in the park serves no purpose either. Nor does spotting trains, being a fan of watching aircraft, listening to the police band or any of a million other activities. Point is, there doesn't need to be a purpose behind doing something that's legal, that's sort of how residual freedoms work. Anything that isn't fobidden is permitted. End of. You don't have to justify it. The fact that these chumps don't like people exercising their rights means approximately bugger all. Their feelings don't matter and nor does their opinion because their power to do anything about it ends at the border of the private property they guard. And on the flip side of the argument, what purpose does lying about the law, their own powers, and the legal issues regarding photographing the area serve beyond making them all look like halfwits with no clue as to the job they're meant to be doing? It serves no purpose. But then, walking in the park serves no purpose either. Nor does spotting trains, being a fan of watching aircraft, listening to the police band or any of a million other activities.

Point is, there doesn’t need to be a purpose behind doing something that’s legal, that’s sort of how residual freedoms work. Anything that isn’t fobidden is permitted. End of. You don’t have to justify it.

The fact that these chumps don’t like people exercising their rights means approximately bugger all. Their feelings don’t matter and nor does their opinion because their power to do anything about it ends at the border of the private property they guard.

And on the flip side of the argument, what purpose does lying about the law, their own powers, and the legal issues regarding photographing the area serve beyond making them all look like halfwits with no clue as to the job they’re meant to be doing?

]]> By: vinculture http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402850 vinculture Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402850 Too bad, you've been called on your miserable attempt to stand up to thugs who don't even know the rules they're supposed to be enforcing. Too bad, you’ve been called on your miserable attempt to stand up to thugs who don’t even know the rules they’re supposed to be enforcing.

]]> By: Hubert Figuière http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402826 Hubert Figuière Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402826 That is the power of propaganda. The get promised shinny stuff, without being made aware of the cost. And there is a repression on people that oppose it. So powerful that they can fast-track building a transit line in 4 years (the Canada Line in Vancouver, which I admit if probably the only real positive thing that happened) while they are still discussion extensions of others that were not relevant....  But the price to pay is too big. And I don't really know what got built in London though. That is the power of propaganda. The get promised shinny stuff, without being made aware of the cost. And there is a repression on people that oppose it.

So powerful that they can fast-track building a transit line in 4 years (the Canada Line in Vancouver, which I admit if probably the only real positive thing that happened) while they are still discussion extensions of others that were not relevant….  But the price to pay is too big.

And I don’t really know what got built in London though.

]]> By: Hubert Figuière http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402824 Hubert Figuière Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402824 And you forgot the part where the Owelympic sponsor have no financial liability into the event. If the bottom line is red, the taxpayer is on the hook. Not sponsors that we illegitimately ruled above the law by passing a bill to "protect" them. Happened in Canada, is happening in the UK too. Montreal took 30 years to pay for its stadium. Vancouver (and British Columbia) people largely on the hook for the Vancouver 2010™ event. Yet the sponsors who profited from it are not. And you forgot the part where the Owelympic sponsor have no financial liability into the event. If the bottom line is red, the taxpayer is on the hook. Not sponsors that we illegitimately ruled above the law by passing a bill to “protect” them. Happened in Canada, is happening in the UK too.

Montreal took 30 years to pay for its stadium.

Vancouver (and British Columbia) people largely on the hook for the Vancouver 2010™ event. Yet the sponsors who profited from it are not.

]]> By: Hubert Figuière http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402821 Hubert Figuière Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402821 Michael, you are a dictator in the making. Seriously. People fought for their rights, and still have too. This guard would be restrained if they didn't misquote the law to justify their unlawful actions of harassing people. Michael, you are a dictator in the making. Seriously. People fought for their rights, and still have too. This guard would be restrained if they didn’t misquote the law to justify their unlawful actions of harassing people.

]]> By: Hubert Figuière http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402817 Hubert Figuière Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402817 As long as citizen will let Governments put this kind of practice upon them, it will happen. After all, it is the citizen, and not the sponsor that are held financially liable of the Owelympics. As long as citizen will let Governments put this kind of practice upon them, it will happen. After all, it is the citizen, and not the sponsor that are held financially liable of the Owelympics.

]]> By: vinculture http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402801 vinculture Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402801 They were trespassing and disturbing the peace and deliberately engineered this 'confrontation'. I've asked the Guardian several times to correct their malicious and dishonest reporting but they have refused. I wonder why? They were trespassing and disturbing the peace and deliberately engineered this ‘confrontation’. I’ve asked the Guardian several times to correct their malicious and dishonest reporting but they have refused.

I wonder why?

]]> By: michael http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402800 michael Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402800 Here's a better question. What purpose does filming the checkpoint serve? If the security officers that are employed to protect the grounds feel it may be a threat then why do it?  I didn't necessarily say that I "support" the guards. I merely pointed out how ridiculous the actions of the camera persons were.  The fact that you have a Guy Fawkes image representing you does not bode well to your objective opinion of this matter. V for Vendetta was a great film huh..  Here’s a better question. What purpose does filming the checkpoint serve? If the security officers that are employed to protect the grounds feel it may be a threat then why do it? 

I didn’t necessarily say that I “support” the guards. I merely pointed out how ridiculous the actions of the camera persons were. 

The fact that you have a Guy Fawkes image representing you does not bode well to your objective opinion of this matter. V for Vendetta was a great film huh.. 

]]> By: DaHoss http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402797 DaHoss Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402797 Bring friends and stun guns. Bring friends and stun guns.

]]> By: michael http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402794 michael Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402794 That's not my point. I'm merely pointing out the humor in their "cause". That’s not my point. I’m merely pointing out the humor in their “cause”.

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402773 That_Anonymous_Coward Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402773 RTFA. The security drones decided they WERE doing something and offer no proof. They then misquote the law, and attempt to manhandle others property while they are on public property. Here is a wacky idea for you...  Why would filming a security checkpoint be dangerous?  People are going to walk through it and see it first hand.  If your security is so poorly designed that a photograph of the checkpoint renders is useless, its time to get new security staff. A PRIVATE security team should NEVER think they are above the law.  The fact that you support this type of action is amazing. Stupid uppity people exercising their legal rights, how dare they. RTFA.
The security drones decided they WERE doing something and offer no proof.
They then misquote the law, and attempt to manhandle others property while they are on public property.

Here is a wacky idea for you…  Why would filming a security checkpoint be dangerous?  People are going to walk through it and see it first hand.  If your security is so poorly designed that a photograph of the checkpoint renders is useless, its time to get new security staff.

A PRIVATE security team should NEVER think they are above the law.  The fact that you support this type of action is amazing.

Stupid uppity people exercising their legal rights, how dare they.

]]> By: Ashen Victor http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402691 Ashen Victor Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402691  So, your point is... "They should not be doing something that is legal because in China that was illegal and they are bratty enough to flex their rights" Makes absolutely no sense, sir.  So, your point is…

“They should not be doing something that is legal because in China that was illegal and they are bratty enough to flex their rights”

Makes absolutely no sense, sir.

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402667 mccrum Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402667  There'$ got to be $ome rea$on why any city, $tate, or country would $ubject them$elve$ to the organizing committee'$ whim$ to bow down before all $pon$or$. Why citizens themselves of said cities go along with it, I'll never know, they get stuck with the taxes for stadiums and the link while the real money goes pretty far away.  You know, like Greece.  There’$ got to be $ome rea$on why any city, $tate, or country would $ubject them$elve$ to the organizing committee’$ whim$ to bow down before all $pon$or$.

Why citizens themselves of said cities go along with it, I’ll never know, they get stuck with the taxes for stadiums and the link while the real money goes pretty far away.  You know, like Greece.

]]> By: michael http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402668 michael Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402668 What a bunch of brats. Just because it's lawful to do something doesn't mean that you should. Why would filming a security checkpoint be of use to anyone? These guards were very restrained in their actions if you ask me. I'd love to see them travel back and try that act in China 4 years ago. The same bratty "journalists" who press the limit on what their individual rights allow them to do would surely lambast others for not providing enough protection to them and their peers.  What a bunch of brats. Just because it’s lawful to do something doesn’t mean that you should. Why would filming a security checkpoint be of use to anyone? These guards were very restrained in their actions if you ask me. I’d love to see them travel back and try that act in China 4 years ago. The same bratty “journalists” who press the limit on what their individual rights allow them to do would surely lambast others for not providing enough protection to them and their peers. 

]]> By: James http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402665 James Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402665 The power of a training course and a hihg-viz jacket. THE POWER! The power of a training course and a hihg-viz jacket. THE POWER!

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402647 That_Anonymous_Coward Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402647 If they keep this up the Olympics will have no one going to watch it.  They will be unwilling to get into like 5 hours before the event so they can make sure to have enough time to get through the gauntlet of checks making sure that no one takes a photo or records a video they haven't paid the IOC for. At what point do the people finally say enough?  They are contributing money to an event that most of them will be barred from, and giving up their rights and getting what in return?  Hell for half the cost of an Olympic bid, they could run commercials around the globe showing people they aren't a bad place to visit. If they keep this up the Olympics will have no one going to watch it.  They will be unwilling to get into like 5 hours before the event so they can make sure to have enough time to get through the gauntlet of checks making sure that no one takes a photo or records a video they haven’t paid the IOC for.

At what point do the people finally say enough?  They are contributing money to an event that most of them will be barred from, and giving up their rights and getting what in return?  Hell for half the cost of an Olympic bid, they could run commercials around the globe showing people they aren’t a bad place to visit.

]]> By: Bryan Costin http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402643 Bryan Costin Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402643 Why any city would willingly subject itself to the modern Olympic games is a mystery to me.  Why any city would willingly subject itself to the modern Olympic games is a mystery to me. 

]]> By: Cynical http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/private-security-at-london-oly.html#comment-1402603 Cynical Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=156193#comment-1402603 "Scotland Yard had previously assured the National Union of Journalists that the private security at the Olympics had been trained on the legality of taking images from public land."  ...Trained to the same high standards as the met's own officers, evidently. I'll just leave this here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2311166742_7e71c2f9e5.jpg “Scotland Yard had previously assured the National Union of Journalists that the private security at the Olympics had been trained on the legality of taking images from public land.” 

…Trained to the same high standards as the met’s own officers, evidently. I’ll just leave this here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2311166742_7e71c2f9e5.jpg

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