Many States of Mind » Politics
Dubai, where even the carbon footprint is immense
Can they possibly outdo themselves any further? Hmmm, give them time since I’m sure they’ll come up with something. Let’s see, their past, present and future construction projects include the Burj Al Arab, a hotel which at one point was the second tallest structure, or first since heck, who can even keep track?; the Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski dome which is just as you imagined, an indoor ski resort in the desert; Palm Islands, yup, artificial islands and coming right up? Brace yourselves now…that’s right! Air-conditioned beaches. Now hey! Who am I to be complaining about or criticizing an economically crippled nation just because they, against better judgment, are hedging their bets on the luring of rich tourists? The last time I checked you’d definitely have to be rich to vacation there and why else would you have such luxurious undertakings as they have? Mind you I say ‘economically crippled’ since it’s no secret that Dubai is hanging by a thread these days. If you’re still wondering what’s got me all riled up then hold tight since there really is a method to my madness. Any of you who’ve read my previous rants would know of where I stand when it comes to the Copenhagen talks and the United States’ pledge of tens of billions of dollars to developing nations in the name of ‘global warming’…errrr, I’m sorry. They’re calling it climate change now. The correlation I wish to make here is that as incredulous as it may sound, some Arab nations if not all will most likely be amongst the so-called developing nations seeking handouts. I had to look up any references since I vaguely recalled reading about the notion. Of course it would not matter to the UN’s ipcc (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) or other involved clowns whether or not there was the slightest bit of truth to today’s climate change arguments since in the end, saving the earth is the least of their sought out goals. Have myself already gone down that road of World Governance and such but I’ll be sure to revisit the subject again very soon. What gets me as what should be getting at you is the irony. Dubai, a nation baring one of the greatest carbon footprints should ultimately be receiving reparations in the name of that which they supposedly contributed to: Climate Change.
Never wanting to miss out in this world’s never ending pissing contest which has gone on for so long Dubai unveiled its newest and tallest $1.5 billion building this past weekend, the Burj Dubai. Considering the excesses that have come from this country in the past this monstrous tribute to overkill and squandering should come as a surprise to no one. Let’s face it, in the dictionary next to the word ‘waste’ should be a small depiction of this country’s map.
As it turns out there’s a concern for “Reinforcement measures around Dubai’s coastline to be taken to avoid any damage from rising sea levels caused by climate change.”
It also would not take a rocket scientist to foresee the effects that a world turning away from fossil fuels would have on nations which have sustained themselves on their sales of oil.
Filed under: Climate Change, Copenhagen Treaty, Global Warming
Photography in NYC & Terrorism – Part II
Public vs. Private
Some years ago I had been approached by security while trying to photograph the Christmas tree outside the Bloomberg Tower on 58th Street. The guard’s argument was that no professional photography was allowed at that location. I clumsily argued that I wasn’t a pro yet the fellow made references to my professional looking equipment and asked me if I thought him stupid. Well, I did but of course diplomatic me [cough, cough] didn’t argue and instead asked him what was an acceptable location for my snapping of photos. He pointed to the street as well as the sidewalk across the street. Apparently in his mind, simply being on the sidewalk outside the building with my gear was enough to warrant suspicion.
Let’s forget about the harebrained notion that I was going to obtain top secret information through the overhead windows with my wide angle lens. Hmmm, have I mentioned they were tinted glass? All I can say is that I’ve no idea what all the concern was about and since then I never gave it another thought. I merely chalked it up to a fanatical concern for building security. As if my snapping photos with a point and shoot camera would’ve made a huge difference.
You see, there appears to be a big difference between photographing within public property and photographing within and around private property, and well, in NYC there’s a heck of a lot of private property out there. Certain museums will outright ban photography whereas others will allow you to snap shots during particular hours. Stand outside any one of a number of Manhattan skyscrapers with your camera pointing straight up the side and you’re likely to be shooed away even though according to some sources sidewalks are public property. Plus it’s anybody’s guess why one office building will take the subject more seriously than another.
Let’s face it. When it comes to private property, a theater, restaurant, mall, sports facility, arena or even your place of work have and should have within their authority the right to deny anyone the ability to carry out photography. Of course deciding how such actions would affect their place of business is totally up to them to judge. Their concerns about protecting copyright issues, the privacy of others, their private corporate information or whatever else are surely justified in my opinion.
Yet despite all that’s been mentioned one can’t ignore the world which exists post 911. At what point does Paranoia become more a heightened state of fear instead of a heightened state of awareness? I’m referring not merely to those folks who in response to this city’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign might report me for taking photos of something which your average citizen may never consider capturing. I am also referring to when I myself feel reluctant to visit certain locations with my gear simply due to the anticipation of what such actions might result in. Have already been down that road quite a number of times myself in the months following September 11, 2001.
Even today, years beyond that fateful day folks are still very shook up and on edge. It may not be quickly evident on our faces but send a low flying 747 over Lower Manhattan and watch how panicked the folks become. Watch as they run for their lives. Watch me as I sit before my television later in the day dumbfounded beyond compare as I watch and hear about the photo-op which had been pre-planned without the slightest intention of public announcement. Watch me as I sit there both furious yet in tears since my own wounds are still fresh. Such was the case on April 27, 2009.
I mention all this since this was not the world I remember prior to 911. The world back then wasn’t filled with propaganda trying to protect us from terrorism or as some might say, trying to keep our hearts filled with fear. It’s such sorts of campaigns which are dangerous ones.
Someone once said that ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions’.
Well, there certainly seems to be a lot of paving going on these days.
The next part in this series will be about Tripods – Part III.
Again, thank you for reading this far.
Filed under: Photography, Terrorism
Photography in NYC & Terrorism? – Part I
Photography in NYC & Terrorism? – Part I
A recent posting in Telegraph.co.uk struck a chord in this author’s mind. Actually it’s a complaint in the form of a letter from 365 of Britain’s most distinguished photographers asking for the modification of that country’s anti-terrorist legislation. Apparently they’re finding themselves harassed by authorities on the other side of the pond.The above mentioned notion of photography being likened to terrorism has been on the mind of yours truly and many other NYC photographers for some time. Yet perhaps not on the same level or is it? You see, walking around with a camera in hand isn’t the problem. The trouble lies with the use of tripods in public and private spots, and the lines drawn between the two are quite thin. But I’ll get back to that soon. I would like to approach this from various angles through this multi-part posting on the subject.
– Photography en mass –
As one might expect this city attracts quite the mass of tourists each day. Heck, the NYC Office of Tourism states that 47 million foreign and domestic visitors came to the ‘big apple’ in 2008 with tens of billions of tourist dollars being spent here. Consider the proliferation of cameras of all sorts in this world and you’ve got virtually every inch of this city being photographed at some point of every day. Quite the amazing concept if you ask me. So the thinking of some amateur and professional photographers (including yours truly) that they would be harassed for their use of a camera might seem a bit unjustifiable. Or is it? On one side of the argument would be the huge loss in revenue from such action. Let’s also consider the ridiculousness of an idea from which no good would come. Although following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 overzealous safety precautions were at their highest levels. For awhile thereafter you’d find signs on some of our bridges stating how photography of any kind was not allowed. Actually to this day, photography of, near and within Federal buildings is not allowed either. Try pulling your camera out in Lower Manhattan’s Federal Plaza and you’re liable to be approached by security of some sort or another. Perhaps I’m now convinced that those darkly clad security officers gently cuddling automatic weapons in the streets and subways of NYC aren’t the only reason why some refer to this city as ‘Fortress New York’.
Imagine my surprise when touring through Niagara Falls earlier this year I found out that not only was I allowed to use my tripod wherever I wished, within reason, but I was welcomed to do so. Imagine the surprise of the third officer I asked. Well, surprised until I told him I was from NYC. We’ve reached a point in time when there’s a fine line between protecting our civil liberties and protecting us from terrorism. A time where living in a heightened state of paranoia is the norm. When it’s not the police stopping us (since in all my years of photographing the streets I’ve yet to be approached by a police officer) but rather every day citizens simply trying to follow the rules of their jobs, be they parks rangers, building security or others.
New York City through having experienced the greatest terrorist attack on domestic soil since Pearl Harbor and having the largest and most efficient police force in all of America is now the most secure city there is. Unfortunately that security comes at a price. All I ask is that a bit more rational thinking be employed when trying to protect us all.
As an end to this entry but not an end to this entire subject I’d like to mention the following which was reported in the Guardian.co.uk
Guardian.co.uk
Scotland Yard warns police officers over photography concerns
by Paul Lewis, Tuesday 15 December 2009
Coming up next will be Part II – Public vs. Private
Thank you for reading this far.
Filed under: Photography, Terrorism
Woman with the World’s Biggest Pair of Boobs!
The biggest pair I’ve seen in the entire world!
Filed under: Funny Stuff - Political & Not!
Recession, Depression, Recovery
Speaks for itself…doesn’t it?

Filed under: Funny Stuff - Political & Not!, Uncategorized
Allen West – Congressional Candidate – Florida Dist. 22
Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (US Army, Retired) was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia and is third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. His parents instilled in him a very basic principle, love of God and Country. In 2004, when it was time to retire from more than twenty years of service in the US Army, he brought his wife and two young daughters to Broward County, Florida, where he taught high school for one year. He then returned to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007.
Allen West received his Bachelors degree from University of Tennessee and Masters degree from Kansas State University, both in political science. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations.
“Education is the great equalizer,” he says. “With a good education, any child in America can live his dream.”
Read more at the official Allen West for Congress Website: http://allenwestforcongress.com
and more regarding Mr. West:
Filed under: Candidates, Patriotism
Terror Trial Rally Photos in Foley Square – December 5, 2009
Below are photos from the December 5 Rally in Protest of the proposed Terror Trials in NYC.
Mind you the weather was horrible with chilly temperatures, strong enough winds and plenty of rain…yet the crowd was as one in spirit.
All participants proud to be standing up for our God Given Rights to Freedom of Speech. Standing up for what is right, Standing up for the fallen, Standing up for those who simply couldn’t be there. A truly proud moment in American and New York City History to be repeated again and again in the coming days, weeks and months.
A shot looking east upon my arrival at the Rally.
Below image shows a sign held by a fellow Patriot. It speaks for us all! Doesn’t it?
So much rain, So many umbrellas, So much Spirit!
Our guest of honor, the genius of Attorney General Eric Holder as he stumbles over his own words in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Filed under: Political Correctness, Terrorism