Here’s a video from the University of Pittsburgh, which became, in every way a reasonable person can suppose, a police state / martial law zone during the recent G20 gathering.

I’ve been staying out of the folly of video posts about the Pittsburgh G20, but this video is worth a watch.  This is by no means the worst thing that happened or was recorded, but the videographer in this case is really outstanding.

I teach a class on recording police, including encounters in which the journalist is or is not involved.  This journalist did everything correctly.  I wonder if he / she was looking exclusively through the viewfinder?  That is my surmise.

Great job.  I’m sure the cops will not be held accountable for this assault.

Freedom to Tinker has the story today about bills introduced in a number of states that seek to prohibit the use of encryption by home internet users.

The underlying message here is simple:  You must expose yourself to surveillance.  You may not take any steps to defend yourself against state or corporate incursion into your privacy.

This reminds me of the order in Seattle back in 1999 that made gas masks illegal.  The thought process seems the same:  Your communication data and your muccous membranes must be exposed to the state so that they can be utilized to control you.

In the past few days, my video of declining to show ID to a police officer who “pulled me over” as I was inline skating in Port Dickinson, NY, has become my #1 post.  I’m happy that people are learning about the limitations that agents of certain governments, in this case New York State, must operate under.

There are a number of places with commentary, if you want to join the discussion:

• The comments section of the post itself is the best discussion, and the one I’d prefer to house the archive.
• My Vimeo page for the video has quite a few comments as well.
• Also, there is a hilariously childish discussion on a third-rate yuku site called “The Rant.” I don’t know whether to laugh at these people or feel bad for them – if nothing else, the site seems to serve as a place to vent.  I didn’t expect my post to cause these kind of tantrums, but perhaps it’s therapeutic for the participants.

UPDATE:

Now a forum has started here at a website I’ve never heard of called bcvoice.com.  It’s somewhat similar to the yuku site, but with a modicum of maturity.  One thing I love is that people – quite a lot of people at this point – will sit and waste their time at their keyboard wondering aloud why this <insert fairly random disparaging adjective> “kid” would waste his time asserting his basic rights in his own community.

Not much I can add to this one.  Just watch.