>I got my first CCTV parking ticket a few weeks ago. 9:30 pm not causing an obstruction popped into the fish and chip shop for 5 minutes. 2 weeks later I get a picture and a request/demand for £60.00.
>
>We've had a couple of examples of CCTV misuse where the people watching the CCTV have used it to spy on ladies undressing in tower blocks. The cameras have extremely powerful telephoto lenses.

I can remember that most of us this side of the pond were more than a bit amazed when we saw how wholeheartedly Brits were accepting the cameras.

And, to me, this is a prime example of "the thin edge of the wedge" in full operation:

1. Start with strictly for security purposes - to better be able to catch evil doers by spotting/following them from afar and then swooping in to pick them up.

2. Then is added to it something like 'we have people's (of "interest") pictures on hand, so let's add them to the database so we can follow their movement too'.

3) Then it becomes 'we can catch traffic violations on tape and go right out and ticket the person'.

4) Then it grows to 'Let's change the laws so that we can ticket people directly based on the tape "evidence".

5) Then it becomes 'Let's ticket these rogues ANYTIME for any infraction regardless of the actual impact of the infraction at the time it occurred'.
- I understand that some poor bloke as ticketed when he was caught walking deep into a parking lot to take a (more private) leak.

Who can say what's next. But yu can count on the fact tht if there's any kind of revenue that can be associated with it, it will be implemented.

enjoy your privacy < S >.



>
>
>>I think a guest worker program is necessary. I have no problem with any and all visitors (tourists) and guest workers as long as they provide solid identification and submit to fingerprinting or even a DNA sample to be here. Of course, strangely, I also have no problem with fingerprinting every citizen of the U.S. and even taking a DNA sample of every person in the U.S. :o) (I've been fingerprinted too many times to count in this country and others) I really don't see how that infringes on my rights other than the right (which doesn't exist) of committing a crime and getting away with it. The powers that be cannot watch your every move unlike the many cameras in the UK which do that. Still, I have no problem with cameras in all public areas but I draw the line on cameras in our homes.
>>
>>
>>>I know where you stand on illegal immigration but isn't there a difference between the policy(-ies) there and sealing the borders so hardly anyone can enter? The latter is what Bill was suggesting.
>>>
>>>>Great idea Mike! Thank you. I'll send out the notifications to the 12 million illegal immigrants to all come over to your house! :o)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>> One other thing bothers me with the US, what would you think if, to be allowed into our country as a tourist you had to be fingerprinted at the point of entry. This currently is the case upon entry into the USA.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>It is a violation of basic rights of freedom.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Your thoughts.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>You have the freedom to not enter the US. The US has the responsibility to do whatever it takes to protect its citizens. The US has enough enemies abroad to justify closing the borders for all except critical commerce or medical emergencies IMO.
>>>>>
>>>>>Isolationism is not the answer, as tempting as it seems sometimes. The U.S.'s isolationism between the two World Wars is viewed by historians as a key factor in both the Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany.