Comments on: Seattle man arrested after photographing open ATM

By: organize

organize — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:39:22 +0000

Just outragious. It is time to take our country back. 9/11 has been used as an excuse for authorities to take their gloves off and intrude on our liberties. ALL government, cops, sheriffs, authorities of any kind are empowered with that authority by we the people. And we can limit or take that authority back as we see fit. We need to do more than merely post comments on a website. We need to organize political action groups, field candidates for office and sheriff, lead referendum efforts to force changes in local and state laws, and to remove/recall candidates and sheriffs who forget who is really in charge. They represent us, and are empowered only to serve and protect us. When they exceed that authority, it is up to us to mobilize and take it back, and to punish them. In this case, everyone should write to REI and threaten to take their business elsewhere until REI makes a statement that their security guards were in error and that corrective measures are being taken. Meanwhile, Seattle police and King County sheriff and deputies have a long list of behavior that easily exceeds the threshold of illegality, but it’s allowed to continue because citizens do not mobilize and change the law, so that rogue cops/deputies are held accountable to the people they serve. Too often, people just look the other way. Now is the time to stand up and teach authorities how to act and to show some respect for the people who pay their salaries.

By: Mister DNA

Mister DNA — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:34:37 +0000

You make an interesting point, Duane. Most bank robbers don’t overtly photograph their targets, just as most terrorists don’t overtly snap photos of their targets.

Therefore, it naturally follows that police and security guards should be especially suspicious of those who appear to be NOT taking photos.

By: Duane Kerzic

Duane Kerzic — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:03:05 +0000

I once went to an old bank (building 100 years old) for the USA anyway, that was still a bank. I asked if I could take some photos of the inside since I was on private property. They got the manager for me. Sure no problem take all the photos you want. Then I was told. The Vault is in the basement down those steps. The door is really cool. Be sure to get some photos of the Vault while you’re here.

Just because some jughead security guards get bent out of shape because someone takes photos doesn’t mean they know anything about anything.

By: ClintJCL

ClintJCL — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:55:44 +0000

That’s pretty damn funny. I once chased after someone who took my photo yelling “give me back my soul” as a joke. This was in college…

By: Mister DNA

Mister DNA — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:55:05 +0000

Tell me, if I photographed you, would you assume I’m coming to take your kidneys in the night? That’s about the same logic.

No, I’d logically assume you’re trying to steal my soul.

By: ClintJCL

ClintJCL — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:38:30 +0000

Apples and oranges. ATM != bank. You’re trying to equivocate an apple with an orange.

Tell me, if I photographed you, would you assume I’m coming to take your kidneys in the night? That’s about the same logic.

By: Mario

Mario — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:36:43 +0000

So tell me, would you go to a bank, and try filming the employees when they try to enter the vault (assuming you can see the vault from the service window), and then get mad when the security questions your odd behavior?

By: ClintJCL

ClintJCL — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:31:36 +0000

Seems like failed logic to me. You don’t need a picture of something to hack it; you can google for ATM plans.

By: Mario

Mario — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:29:14 +0000

Whether he’s doing it because of boredom or for an art project, taking pictures the way he did of an open ATM will be construed as suspicious. Police and security will have reason to believe that the man will attempt to come back later and try to hack into the ATM. That is my logic, I don’t know what yours is.