IN THEIR TIRELESS, nay heroic, efforts to protect us from terrorists, some Missouri legislators want to keep us safe from terrorists sneaking around taking pictures of farm animals and puppy dogs. Feel safer?
This week, a House committee took up House Bill 666, sponsored by Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City. The bill would make it a felony to stand by the side of the road, on public property, and take unauthorized pictures of barns, pastures, even public land where cattle graze.
Mr. Guest, himself a hog farmer, thinks terrorists might use photos of agricultural operations to plan an attack of agricultural terrorism.
Uh-huh. Is anyone else imagining an attempt to round up cows for a stampede and they just stand there eating grass?
The only reason I believe this is because the article you link is dated March 31. I mean, really: House Bill 666! This would be a great April Fool’s prank.
Another important issue as to its veracity is that it is, after all, Misery.
Killing hogs? That’s not kosher.
I do photograph olds barns and dilapidated farm structures. I find them interesting. The images capture something we’ve lost in society.
Why would hog farmers want to discourage people from taking pictures? Could it be that they don’t want to provide images to activists opposed to their agricultural practices (PETA-types, anti-mega farm activists, etc.)
In this case, he’s just an idiot. Don’t overanalyze Missouri Lege members.
They should just make a law that says you can copyright your farm. Then only you have exclusive rights to take pictures of it.
Kind of like they did with that stupid sculpture in Millenium Park.