On the contrary, the 'rant' as you call it, pertains to photography, because the issue is the same-shall we have a free-for-all society in which I take any picture I want, when I want, of whom I want, and if they don't like it, too bad; or shall we self-police?

We obviously have not self-policed, or entertainers would not be prohibiting any kind of photographic implement during their concerts because they feel it distracts them and prevents the audience from participating in the show because they are too busy photographing it and sending the photos to their friends who aren't there. In addition, many people video tape the concert with their phones, which in almost all cases, is not legal.

So the issue is the same, regardless of subject matter. We haven't self-policed ourselves, and so rules have to written. There are simply way too many people in the country wanting to do their own thing at the expense of those deemed irrelevant.

Even though I fundamentaly agree with what I think you're trying to say here, be careful.

I also believe that people scream about their "rights" when the issue at hand has nothing to do with "rights". Like, it's my right to smoke. No, smoking is NOT a "right". It's a privilege based on your ability to buy smokes. If it was a "right" the smokes would be provided to you.

WHen you say lawmakers would regulate them.....remember you're talking about the people you elected to do what their constituents want. This is very much a double edged sword.
I agree we have to be very careful.

Basically, it all boils down to the individual.
Do you give the whiner what they want or do you protect everyone else's "rights"? The squeeky wheel get the grease.

We should not let the wants of the few dictate to the many.

P.S. This is NOT a liberal thing. This applies to ALL political parties.

The reason for this thread was to suggest that as photographers get more intrusive and obnoxious, stalking people taking shots at the most inappropriate times only to embarrass and humiliate people. Threads like “Looking for trouble with a camera” will move society to regulate it. My concern is that if we don’t regulate ourselves and extend at least some common courtesy to our subjects the lawmakers will step in. When that happens you know how much whining we’ll hear and how many arguments and debates will erupt and no one will remember this conversation. Justify and rationalize all the way to the legislature and we’ll see who wins. Having said all that I will confess that at my age it won’t affect me one iota but it will impact my children and grandchildren and it’s on behalf of them that I am trying to sound a warning. Look around and you’ll see more and more signs being posted banning cameras. One day you’ll be required to get a “permit to carry” a camera oh you’ll still have your rights you’ll just need a permit to exercise them.

What we the people need to do is for 2 full election cycles vote anyone in office out of office. Replace them, if they see that we really do have the ability to vote them out,mt hen they will start to listen to the people.

Congress was never mention to be a full time job for anyone. No one should be Washington for 20 years.

So it does not matter democrat, republican or independent vote out the incumbent for the next 8 years. And then we will take back our country and once again have a government by the people for the people

I am an avid supporter of personal rights and it frustrates me when I think of all the rights and privileges we are losing in this nation. It seems you need a permit (all come with a charge of course) to do most anything. You can’t put up a simple fence in many parts of the country without a building permit all because folks kept putting up unsafe fences so the lawmakers decided to regulate them. Think about it, if we in photography don’t start using some common sense and extending some common courtesy the lawmakers will step in. Courts are beginning to rule against the more aggressive paparazzi even now. Maybe we should start giving some thought to how we approach our craft from a moral perspective instead of jumping on the “It’s my right” bandwagon. The liberals in this country swing a big stick and they are all about the good of the whole and have little respect or interest in individual rights. If we continue on the course we’re on and continue to support rude and invasive attitudes and constantly proclaim “It’s my right” I promise the lawmakers will change or at least modify how “your rights” are defined. You don’t think so? Try going fishing or hunting or even buying a gun without uncle Sam’s permission, those used to be common rights as well. Think about it next time you jump to support some obnoxious creep with a camera.

On the contrary, the 'rant' as you call it, pertains to photography, because the issue is the same-shall we have a free-for-all society in which I take any picture I want, when I want, of whom I want, and if they don't like it, too bad; or shall we self-police?

We obviously have not self-policed, or entertainers would not be prohibiting any kind of photographic implement during their concerts because they feel it distracts them and prevents the audience from participating in the show because they are too busy photographing it and sending the photos to their friends who aren't there. In addition, many people video tape the concert with their phones, which in almost all cases, is not legal.

So the issue is the same, regardless of subject matter. We haven't self-policed ourselves, and so rules have to written. There are simply way too many people in the country wanting to do their own thing at the expense of those deemed irrelevant.

I am an avid supporter of personal rights and it frustrates me when I think of all the rights and privileges we are losing in this nation. It seems you need a permit (all come with a charge of course) to do most anything. You can’t put up a simple fence in many parts of the country without a building permit all because folks kept putting up unsafe fences so the lawmakers decided to regulate them. Think about it, if we in photography don’t start using some common sense and extending some common courtesy the lawmakers will step in. Courts are beginning to rule against the more aggressive paparazzi even now. Maybe we should start giving some thought to how we approach our craft from a moral perspective instead of jumping on the “It’s my right” bandwagon. The liberals in this country swing a big stick and they are all about the good of the whole and have little respect or interest in individual rights. If we continue on the course we’re on and continue to support rude and invasive attitudes and constantly proclaim “It’s my right” I promise the lawmakers will change or at least modify how “your rights” are defined. You don’t think so? Try going fishing or hunting or even buying a gun without uncle Sam’s permission, those used to be common rights as well. Think about it next time you jump to support some obnoxious creep with a camera.

I am an avid supporter of personal rights and it frustrates me when I think of all the rights and privileges we are losing in this nation. It seems you need a permit (all come with a charge of course) to do most anything. You can’t put up a simple fence in many parts of the country without a building permit all because folks kept putting up unsafe fences so the lawmakers decided to regulate them. Think about it, if we in photography don’t start using some common sense and extending some common courtesy the lawmakers will step in. Courts are beginning to rule against the more aggressive paparazzi even now. Maybe we should start giving some thought to how we approach our craft from a moral perspective instead of jumping on the “It’s my right” bandwagon. The liberals in this country swing a big stick and they are all about the good of the whole and have little respect or interest in individual rights. If we continue on the course we’re on and continue to support rude and invasive attitudes and constantly proclaim “It’s my right” I promise the lawmakers will change or at least modify how “your rights” are defined. You don’t think so? Try going fishing or hunting or even buying a gun without uncle Sam’s permission, those used to be common rights as well. Think about it next time you jump to support some obnoxious creep with a camera.