“Freedom Ain’t Free” — © Brian Rose

Despite the sea change at the top with Obama being elected in November, there remains at all levels of government an unhealthy–and often unconstitutional–disregard for civil liberties and the people’s right to know. Exhibit “a” being the recent fly-over incident in New York when one of the two Air Force One 747s accompanied by fighter jets buzzed lower Manhattan for a photo-op.

The problem wasn’t the fly-over itself–though wasteful and unnecessary in the extreme–but the decision of the federal government to withhold information about the maneuver from the public. No one, apparently, in a responsible position federally or locally considered that a large plane flying at low altitude over Ground Zero just might rattle a few nerves. Or set off widespread panic. For government promo photographs.

Meanwhile, this morning, the lede in an article in the Times:

A growing number of big-city police departments and other law enforcement agencies across the country are embracing a new system to report suspicious activities that officials say could uncover terrorism plots but that civil liberties groups contend might violate individual rights.

Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

The article goes on to describe how photographers–even art students and their professors–have been harrased by the police for having the audacity to photograph things like power lines and other components of public infrastructure. The article includes the box above, which lists a few of what the LAPD considers potentially suspicious activities.

Two of the activities relate to photography: Engaging in suspected pre-operational surveillance and taking pictures or video footage with no apparent esthetic value. Using odd camera angles, photographing security equipment, security personnel, traffic lights or building entrances.

The Williamsburg Bridge (potentially suspicious activity)
© Brian Rose

As a photographer engaged in a seemingly random search for visual significance in the built environment I can think of no better description for what I do than “pre-operational surveillance… with no apparent esthetic value.” Guilty as charged.