They keep turning the screw tighter and tighter.
Photographers face fines for taking pictures in National Forests
The government attempts to turn a right into a paid privilege.
Free speech is under attack as the federal government is attempting to institute a permitting system for photography taken on so-called “public land” controlled by the U.S. Forest Service. Under the directive, professional photographers will be obligated to purchase a “special-use permit” for the privilege of shooting pictures inside tax-funded national forests.
In usual form, the restrictions are being manifested gradually — first targeting photographers who make their living off of shooting pictures. Under the proposed directive, commercial photographers will face fees of $30 to $800 per day to professionally document the beauty of the parks.
“We take your First Amendment rights very seriously,” paradoxically stated U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The directive pertains to commercial photography and filming only.”
What the forest bureaucrat fails to acknowledge is that “commercial photography and filming” is inextricably tied to the First Amendment. The right to free speech does not end when the product holds value to another party. No distinction between casual and professional speech is made in the constitution.
By definition, commercial photography includes any image or movie that can potentially be sold to anyone else. That might include individuals shooting stock nature photography, magazine photographers, documentary filmmakers, or even theatrical productions. It could include professional landscape photographers like Ansel Adams or the tourist who takes a unique shot that gets the attention of a publisher.
Commercial photography is so broad in nature that restrictions on it have the potential to affect anyone with a camera. But the government dubiously assures us that commercial photography is the “only” field being restricted.
Public commenting on the policy has been extended to December 3, 2014. Readers are encouraged to submit a formal comment demanding that no aspects of photography be restricted and turned into a paid privilege.
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet
Taxman!
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me
Taxman!
EU To Aggressively Increase Tax Collection
Posted on September 30, 2014 by Martin Armstrong
The Social Democrats in Europe demand that the office of the new EU Commissioner place the collection of taxes very high on the agenda. All governments are going broke and this is the DEFLATIONARY side the hyperinflationists never acknowledge. Those in government only view their crisis through tax evasion and avoidance and exaggerate everything. The are claiming that tax revenue that has escaped within the Member States has reach €2 trillion euros. They do not look beyond the current crisis. They cannot see that their spending increases perpetually and without reform the system collapsed into dust. This is how revolutions erupt. You cannot keep pushing people to the point of economic extinction. This is not the big capital – this is the average person. When you impact the masses, they do rise up as we saw in Ukraine.
Superficially, the EU government will also be targeting US corporations in part which is retaliation for US treatment of European banks with huge fines. The Socialists want to take all citizens under greater scrutiny to ensure more efficient tax collection in Europe. Of course, there is never any discussion of an economical use of taxpayers’ money at the SPD. Governments only see their own needs at the expense of the people.
Took a look for the Onion but it is only Tuesday.
I think the US Forestry Service has been listening to CBC Radio This is That: Due to budget cuts, Parks Canada explores charging a fee when wildlife is spotted. For a listen http://www.cbc.ca/thisisthat/blog/2013/09/06/due-to-budget-cuts-parks-canada-explores-charging-a-fee-when-wildlife-is-spotted/
Yup, I know two pro photographers and the stories they could tell.
When they run their workshops there is an amazing amount of government paperwork involved, fees to pay, some fees are by the hour.
In some western parks one of the asinine gov requirements is they have to keep track of what type of bug repellant each customer use’s and how much they each apply, each day.
They used to use snowmobiles in Yellowstone to run a winter workshop, but the fees and regulations are far too great so now they use a large snow bus.
They had a repeat customer that was 90 years old the final year they used machines and loved to ride a machine up to the top of some of those snow covered peaks, she stopped going as did many of the other repeat customers, riding their own machine was part of the fun.
The government charges more if a outfitter uses horses, they have to pay the fee in their mountain workshops whether or not horses are used, because they “could” use horses.
And we all know those fees must be passed onto the consumer….
John and Barb figure a few more years of this bullshit and they will stop their business here. John is Libertarian, anti big gov and we have some great conversations, watching the other photographers faces while we rant back and forth is priceless though.
Most are so ignorant of what is happening it’s sad.
Are they going to confiscate your phone at the gate since phones can take photos? I mean where does it stop?????????????John
GET USED TO IT
Many public places will begin to charge user fees. Your local ball field is not exempt. Want to have a pick up game? Then pay a user fee and get a permit.
You say you already paid taxes. Tough shit.
It’s coming everywhere. The government can make a logical argument for it and divert your taxes dollars that were used for Parks and Recs. to paying public pensions.
Fuck the government up their collective asses.
I DO NOT CONSENT TO BE RULED BY THE MURDERERS THIEVES SPYS AND THUGS.
Want to bet that National Geographic, The Today Show, The NYTimes or USA Today will not have photographic journalists paying fees and getting advanced permission (in triplicate)?
At least once per day, if not hour, I read/see/hear something that makes me think, “they hate us for our freedoms.” Then I laugh to keep from crying.
Laughter is the best medicine, so they say. Sure doesn’t feel that way when laughing sadly trying to keep from crying.
I’ve asked many S.C. official why we have National Forests in our state ?This is the sovereign state of S.C…..the only property that should come under U.S. jurisdiction ( with our permission ) is a military installation . I’ve never gotten an answer .