Comments on: Snapped: Rep. Peter King Introduces Bill To Require That Mobile Phones Make a Sound When Taking Pictures

By: Cassandra

Cassandra — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:51:26 +0000

Although I agree with the commentators who are frustrated with this example of micro-legislation, I'm not completely adverse to some sort of sound identifier for phone camera shots as a result of Tracy Clark-Flory's Salon article about upskirt photographers. Even so, this sort of regulation would be addressed better in other places and at other times.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:24:44 +0000

puzzling,

We’d be forced to mitigate the noise pollution! LOL!!!

By: puzzling

puzzling — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:06:48 +0000

Perhaps Rep. King could sponsor a bill that requires a background “beep” when the government is monitoring your phone calls as part of dragnet surveillance?

Or a “click” noise that comes over your radio when your car is recorded on photo radar?

Or a “read” receipt when the NSA has successfully stored a copy of the email you just sent?

By: chimene

chimene — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:00:57 +0000

and how many others had the immediate reaction — boy, any Dudley-Do-WRONG police would love that! would make it so much easier to locate those pesky cameras, like on the BART platform… or in less heavily-populated situations.

By: Vince Treacy

Vince Treacy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:36:31 +0000

I think there should be a technical legal term for this type of proposal: “Microlegislation.”

Defined as a legislative proposal on a subject so trivial and insignificant as to be atomic in its miniscularity.

Note that microlegislation very, very seldom makes it into law. There are too many obstacles and too much common sense around for that to happen.

It is usually issued with a burst of publicity for the guy who proposes it.

Then he and the bill then fade into obscurity after their 15 seconds of fame.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:31:23 +0000

This is yet another example of our tax dollars being completely wasted.

I wonder who’s going to be making the big bucks off a bill like this