US Forest Service is using surveillance cameras on public lands

[wroughtn_harv]

MY thoughts on Public land (land owned by state of Federal government) doesn't mean that any J.Q. Public has right to trespass on it and do what ever he likes because he is a tax payer.

I would say that if folks don't like the way public lands are managed, buy there own land and manage it the way they want and stay off the public lands. Surveillance cameras on public land are no different than a personal security camera or cameras set up in other public spots. They are there to catch would be crooks in the act. If you aren't breaking any laws, why worry about them, at least in today's context.

The Doomsayers always see everything the government does as infringement on personal liberties, which they can be if used in a way that they were not meant to be, but that is true of everything- cars, guns, hammers, ball bats, rocks etc.

Amen Gary.

BTW I like to point out that the old liberties lost thing is a bs story anyway. Back in the day if you spun your tires and acted the fool in town your parents knew it instantly. It was that old lady on the corner that was friends with you mom that ratter you out. There's no real difference between the security camera and that old lady. Except for the fact that the camera isn't as likely to embellish the tale as the old lady would.

 

[davrow]

I'll just say that if I trusted my government 'servants' I would have no objections to cameras. But I don't trust them to use them responsibly, or even legally.

 

[TnAndy]

Something worth pointing out in the discussion of "Federal Lands", is the only provision in the US Constitution allowing the Feds to own land is:

1. 10 square miles for a capitol ( District of Columbia )

2. Locations for forts, arsenals, etc, with the permission of the State where the land is located.

There is NO authorization for parks, monuments, BLM, US Forest service lands, etc. Nothing gives the Feds the right to even own any land other than the two above.

 

[RickB]

Something worth pointing out in the discussion of "Federal Lands", is the only provision in the US Constitution allowing the Feds to own land is:

1. 10 square miles for a capitol ( District of Columbia )

2. Locations for forts, arsenals, etc, with the permission of the State where the land is located.

There is NO authorization for parks, monuments, BLM, US Forest service lands, etc. Nothing gives the Feds the right to even own any land other than the two above.

If you write a letter, they will probably auction it all off.

 

[Tollster]

It doesn't bother me, this bothers me, and more so that they get away with it.

Giant Redwood

Meth Lab

Pot farm

Dumping

Poaching

Why should one profit when it belongs to all of us.

Focus on where the real problems lie within the government, then vote this November..

 

[teg]

Best reply ever on TBN (IMHO)

It doesn't bother me, this bothers me, and more so that they get away with it.

Giant Redwood

Meth Lab

Pot farm

Dumping

Poaching

Why should one profit when it belongs to all of us.

Focus on where the real problems lie within the government, then vote this November..

 

[texasjohn]

very wise!

Now, not so much. We got to see what happens when you cut the budget. The number one thing that happens is you empower the idiots and abusers of public places.

 

[buickanddeere]

If the protection and preservation of public lands is aided by video surveillance, so what?

Unless I am doing something stupid, illegal, or immoral I could care less who is watching.

Good idea . We need government cameras in every room of everybody's homes too. This will stop most drastic violence and abuse. It's a small price to pay for the lives and tax money saved.

 

[MossRoad]

The problem is before the law is broken. These government agencies will close down a large newly developed park where federal, state and local funds have been raised and used to make it better for public use, just so they do not have to go fix a path, repair a road or replace a faucet in a bathroom. The managing agency can close off a road or park anytime they want for whatever reason. This gives them the authority to shorten their work schedule whenever they want. They have had all kinds of issues with the BLM agency.

So you won't mind raising taxes or user fees to provide the governtment (us) enough budget money to put rangers in the forest instead of cameras, and open up all those closed places, and repair all those broken paths and trails, and fight the meth labs and pot farms, right?

 

[RickB]

Good idea . We need government cameras in every room of everybody's homes too. This will stop most drastic violence and abuse. It's a small price to pay for the lives and tax money saved.

The master of context manipulation has spoken!

Compare the definitions of 'public' and 'private'.