When Janet was governor of Arizona she was continually lobbying the Bush Administration to put federal troops on the border or provide federal funds to put Arizona National Guard on the border. Now that she's in a position to do so, not a peep about putting federal troops or NG there.
Phoebe Vet If I was President that spookey Orwellian Department would be gone by the end of January.
If I was President that spookey Orwellian Department would be gone by the end of January.
You've got my vote.
henry6 Unfortunately it is a relatively new bureaucracy which has yet to flex it's teen spirit! It has to grow some more before it will implode as all bureaucracies do! It just takes so long.
A short and true recent story:
Philadelphia International Airport ("PHL"), Monday night, June 01, 2009, about 9:00 PM, Terminal A - West, down in the covered-over drop-off and pick-up lanes just outside from the baggage claim area: A silver Infiniti M45 (as best as I can recall) is double-parked in the second lane out, flashers on, but no one in or around it, and blocking up traffic pretty badly. No Philly cop or airport security personnel around, either. I don't know if the usual recorded 'Special Security Announcement' about not leaving cars unattended or they will be towed, etc., was playing or not - I probably wouldn't have heard it anyway. This state of affairs continued for about 10 minutes - then a young man finally showed up from inside, got in, and drove away.
Within a day or two I sent a pretty caustic e-mail to the Department of Homeland Security about this, complete with details as to time, the car's license no., etc. and the lack of police or security presence. To this day, absolutely no acknowledgment or response of any kind.
At about the same time, I also sent an e-mail to DHS complimenting the performance and courtesy of the pre-flight screeners at both PHL and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for our flights during the previous 2 weeks. That one was acknowledged within a day - together with a follow-up request for specifics as to which gate was involved, so that my comments could be directed to or for the proper personnel.
You decide what it all means, and what is being taken seriously and not, etc.
- Paul North.
Ulrichand the kids are playing computer games
I know, I'm still a freshman in high school, and the shame of it is, I have to be honestly the only student in the building that has any interest in railroading. It's a real shame.
I've considered taking up rail photography expect I have no easy way to get near train tracks. (the area of town of where I live is still a little rural, so there are open ditches no sidewalks and no real shoulders on the roads)
WhiteLeather"One of the things we ask people to do," Napolitano told Fox News, "is when they see something unusual, if they see, for example, somebody continually taking photographs of a piece of critical infrastructure that doesn't seem to make any sense … to report that to local law enforcement so it can be followed up on."
"One of the things we ask people to do," Napolitano told Fox News, "is when they see something unusual, if they see, for example, somebody continually taking photographs of a piece of critical infrastructure that doesn't seem to make any sense … to report that to local law enforcement so it can be followed up on."
On Network Rail (A British Track owner/Maintenance company) They have a page for 'Railway Enthusiasts'
On the page, they say
"You can take photographs at stations provided you do not sell them. However, you are not allowed to take photographs of security related equipment, such as CCTV cameras."
Wow imagine all the "bad" things I could do by taking photos of security cameras.
But on the flip side I like how they give railfans some notice as a possible security tool.
"Your presence at a station can be very helpful to us as extra "eyes and ears" and can have a positive security benefit."
The other poor thing about that statement is that it's vague, My definition of suspicious, and Joe Jenkins may be two totally different things. Ironically it screws the one thing that can prevent a terrorist attack, our vigilance, because we'll miss the guy with the bomb, reporting the guy sketching a building, harmlessly or taking photos of a train.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2009 is this Saturday!!! How many gonna be out somewhere on public or persmissive property with a camera ready to take a picture of a train sometime between 11:45AM and 12:15 PM? No mob scene. No breaking of laws. No violence. Just be there with camera and if a train comes by, aim and shoot...a picture with the camera or cell phone that is! Lets see how many of our comerades, our fellow travelers if you will, will call authorities to report suspecious behavior.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
I think we should call the cops on stupid Government law makers for being full of BS.
Leave the Railfans alone.
I was going to be out this weekend, but an event has come up (rail related) that I'll be at, but not near tracks, unfortunately.
I may call DC police and report Sec. Nappy for doing something legal. After all, those are her instructions.
WhiteLeather I was going to be out this weekend, but an event has come up (rail related) that I'll be at, but not near tracks, unfortunately. I may call DC police and report Sec. Nappy for doing something legal. After all, those are her instructions.
That's the Spirit! At least you understand what this is all about.
Jeg forstar ikke! Lutefisk and grits? Uff da! You have been put on the "Minnesota Border Watch" list by the United Lefse Baker's Cooperative of the Minnesota SSR. Don't even attempt to enter Minnesota in a 'Japmobile' for the next month! If you do get in, and someone asks you: "Vil du ha en liten skvett Akvavit?", run like hell! They are on to you!!!
Hays
I am a "major" shareholder of BNSF Railway (NYSE: BNI). Well, not quite as "major" as Warren Buffett, but the thought counts... I am also a member of BNSF's "Citizens for Rail Security". The abbreviation, CRS, is a bit offensive, to this senior citizen, but... Anyhoo, I asked BNSF how I would go about signing a release to take photographs on "MY" property. "No way!", was the answer. Guess I'll have to take my request higher up the chain.
Unfortunate, methinks, that I can't legally gain access to my company's property. I know, as a retired U. S. Army soldier, I am a "suspected person" on Janet Nepolitano's list, as well as the list of Nancy Pelosi! No! I won't tell you if I own a gun!!! I do own a Nikon D50, and some other photographic/video gear... Oops! Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Some crazy stuff going on!
Bill Hays -- Shelby, MT -- wdh@mcn.net
Go easy, "Phoebe Snow". His moniker infers he is from Indiana, or some-such godforsaken place, where English is the third language. At least, be thankful that he still has a conductor to read the train orders to him.
BNSFwatcher Jeg forstar ikke! Lutefisk and grits? Uff da! You have been put on the "Minnesota Border Watch" list by the United Lefse Baker's Cooperative of the Minnesota SSR. Don't even attempt to enter Minnesota in a 'Japmobile' for the next month! If you do get in, and someone asks you: "Vil du ha en liten skvett Akvavit?", run like hell! They are on to you!!! Hays
But can we take a picture?
BNSFwatcherJeg forstar ikke! Lutefisk and grits? Uff da! You have been put on the "Minnesota Border Watch" list by the United Lefse Baker's Cooperative of the Minnesota SSR. Don't even attempt to enter Minnesota in a 'Japmobile' for the next month! If you do get in, and someone asks you: "Vil du ha en liten skvett Akvavit?", run like hell! They are on to you!!! Hays
This forum was a nice place to visit until the Norwegians moved in.... It could be worse, this forum could be overrun by Swedes.
Mmmm, lefse. Christmas isn't quite the same without a plate of rolled up lefse with butter and cinnamon sugar - got a shipment last December from my niece who is now a senior at St Olaf.
erikem BNSFwatcher Jeg forstar ikke! Lutefisk and grits? Uff da! You have been put on the "Minnesota Border Watch" list by the United Lefse Baker's Cooperative of the Minnesota SSR. Don't even attempt to enter Minnesota in a 'Japmobile' for the next month! If you do get in, and someone asks you: "Vil du ha en liten skvett Akvavit?", run like hell! They are on to you!!! Hays This forum was a nice place to visit until the Norwegians moved in.... It could be worse, this forum could be overrun by Swedes. Mmmm, lefse. Christmas isn't quite the same without a plate of rolled up lefse with butter and cinnamon sugar - got a shipment last December from my niece who is now a senior at St Olaf.
Greetings from Norway!It's so fun to see you guys writing norwegian. I love Akevitt and not just a skvett... but I stay away from the Lutefisk...
I'm planning (together with about ten other norwegians) to come to Milwaukee next year at the NMRA 75th anniversary convention.
Ha en fin dag and let's keep the swedes away... ;-))
Morten :-)*Born to eat lefse*
And what do the last two posts have to do with US Homeland Security, US railroads, and legally taking pictures from public or allowed land of trains without being tattled on by our comrades and fellow travellers?
W-e-l-l, the title of the thread is New Homeland Security Fun...
Have you ever considered the Homeland Security ramifications of say a doublestack train carrying nothing but Luteefisk? (Which would likely violate treaties prohibiting use of chemical and biological weapons.)
My day job is primarily developing Homeland Security related technology, so I rather deal with the lighter side of the subject.
midnightI'm planning (together with about ten other norwegians) to come to Milwaukee next year at the NMRA 75th anniversary convention.
WhiteLeather From Trains.com News Wire: "Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano this week suggested citizens should call law enforcement when they see someone taking a picture of "critical infrastructure." Photographing rail lines from public property remains perfectly legal, but Napolitano suggests citizens should call police anyway. "One of the things we ask people to do," Napolitano told Fox News, "is when they see something unusual, if they see, for example, somebody continually taking photographs of a piece of critical infrastructure that doesn't seem to make any sense … to report that to local law enforcement so it can be followed up on." I've been "investigated" as "suspicious" for simply sitting along a public road and it, like TSA at airports, is yet another slam against our basic 4th Amendment rights. Ms. Napolitano's suggestion will just tie up police and sheriffs for no real reason. She tells people that if you see someone doing something that's "perfectly legal", report it anyway. Wha...?????
From Trains.com News Wire:
"Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano this week suggested citizens should call law enforcement when they see someone taking a picture of "critical infrastructure." Photographing rail lines from public property remains perfectly legal, but Napolitano suggests citizens should call police anyway. "One of the things we ask people to do," Napolitano told Fox News, "is when they see something unusual, if they see, for example, somebody continually taking photographs of a piece of critical infrastructure that doesn't seem to make any sense … to report that to local law enforcement so it can be followed up on."
I've been "investigated" as "suspicious" for simply sitting along a public road and it, like TSA at airports, is yet another slam against our basic 4th Amendment rights. Ms. Napolitano's suggestion will just tie up police and sheriffs for no real reason. She tells people that if you see someone doing something that's "perfectly legal", report it anyway.
Wha...?????
Railfans are not the only group that is affected by this silly proclamation; now that the government has turned most of the sheeple into snitches, everybody with a camera is now a suspect.
The following is an excerpt from one of the Milwaukee tv station's meteorologist's blog http://www.todaystmj4.com/bloggers/briangotter/61115887.html; in it he recalls his adventures with his camera (highlights mine).
I can't help but wonder what would have been the result if this person was not "famous".
Kinda scary that this post is happening more and more. I posted about 2 months ago about being asked to not take pictures of a rail facility in Texas. My wife was reading my posts over my shoulder and for my birthday recently I received a pair of binaculars with a camera built in!!! Havn't had a problem since!
Bill
People are weird. One by one the government is implementing blatantly unconstitutional rules and laws and people are comforted by it because it makes them feel safe. But, of course, the safety is an illusion. Try repealing some of those abusive laws and rules and listen to people scream.
During my 22 years of police work I used to see the same mind set among some abused wives. They actually felt that the abusive husband was proving he loved them when he beat or emotionally mistreated them. It was very frustrating and impossible to understand.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Morten; DO NOT!, I repeat: DO NOT try to smuggle any Norwegian lutefisk into this country. The United Lye Workers Union of America, AFL/CIO, will have you arrested on touchdown! You might get away with just paying a fine on the lye content of the lutefisk, but I doubt it. Vi bestiller akevitt og lefse in Milwaukee. The beer is horrible there!
Guess this puts off my plans to visit the U.S. and I did plan to bring my camera (obviously a big mistake), so I guess it's off to Cuba to photograph some old sugar cane trains.
I was hoping to hear of people's successes and failures taking pictures today. I don't have any myself but I missed two good shots this morning. I was the lone train fan in a vehicle driven by a non fan.
One was a SOO Line unit on the point of an eastbound out of Alyth. It was the all red paint job with the white lettering. I can't say I've seen one before, or at least not in a long time. You see the white and red one's off and on. I have never been sure of the sequence of the paint jobs.
I hope others did get photo's this morning.
AgentKid
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
BNSFwatcher Morten; DO NOT!, I repeat: DO NOT try to smuggle any Norwegian lutefisk into this country. The United Lye Workers Union of America, AFL/CIO, will have you arrested on touchdown! You might get away with just paying a fine on the lye content of the lutefisk, but I doubt it. Vi bestiller akevitt og lefse in Milwaukee. The beer is horrible there! Hays
Good luck trying to stop that from happening in Minnesota. They sneak that stuff across the border to Iowa all the time, and no one regulates it. Lutefisk is a national disgrace.
I got photos this evening. forgot today was "take a picture day" to boot.
Still wasn't hassled.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann I got photos this evening. forgot today was "take a picture day" to boot. Still wasn't hassled.
+1. Except for the 'forgot' part.
Dan
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