Just a quick question about photography.

[Ferret]

The point is, is that I knew he was wrong.

As does every rational person on here!

 

[yorkie]

Its the fact that having a camera is not grounds for suspecting someone of being a terrorist that should be the issue and nothing else.

Photography has no links to terrorism!

It is disappointing that one poster has adopted a Basil Fawlty-style attitude toward customers and attempting to condone this ludicrous slanderous behaviour against the OP. And it is also very disappointing that race was ever brought into it. Terrorism has nothing to do with race, it's just that no attention is given to ETA, the IRA etc. these days, this means that some people falsely believe that only people connected with Al-Qaeda can be terrorists and Al-Qaeda are the only terrorist organisation. This is clearly false.

 

[Ferret]

It is disappointing that one poster has adopted a Basil Fawlty-style attitude toward customers and attempting to condone this ludicrous slanderous behaviour against the OP.

I find it disappointing that there have been three posters in this thread who seem to be defending the indefensible. I'm all for giving people who make a genuine mistake the benefit of the doubt, but when railway employees continue to make complete fools of themselves with this anti-photography nonsense it really is beyond the pale. The papers are littered with stories of photographer harassment, we've seen widespread coverage of Andy Trotter's instruction to Police on TV and in the same newspapers, and LUL employees are regularly briefed on what is and isn't allowed but yet still they persist. I'm afraid I have come to the conclusion that some people get a uniform and think that it gives them a whole load more authority than they actually have, and they delight in telling people what they can and can't do as their only means of attaining gratification in life. It's completely ridiculous, and if these employees wish to lay themselves open to such ridicule, I'm more than happy to heap it upon them for it is what they deserve. What will it actually take to ram the message home? Maybe the odd disciplinary here and there?

 

[yorkie]

I agree. And it's only getting worse! It seems that circulars, notices, and memos do not deter these people. It seems to be worse on the railways than anywhere else, but it is a general problem.

I don't see how "terrorism" can be an excuse, given that we were surely more affected by terrorism in the days of the IRA being active, but the harassment of photographers only started relatively recently.

 

[Old Timer]

It is a sad but indisputable fact that many people who are now employed in the Industry would never have been here under BR.

The old "Railway Ethos" has gone, driven out by those newbies who would never have got in the door previously, but who have now managed to gain a foothold and are appointing those in their own shadow.

I have no doubt that those old Railwaymen who have now either been culled or have baled out would have handled these sorts of situations much differently.

Unfortunately the Industry now seems to have spawned a breed who are as ignorant as they are vocal.

 

[Waddon]

Let's be realistic now, how many young white males have you heard of being terrorists in this country?

David Copeland, the guy who placed bombs in Brixton, Soho and Brick Lane, for one.

 

[GB]

Its the fact that having a camera is not grounds for suspecting someone of being a terrorist...

No one has said other wise.

Photography has no links to terrorism!

Really? Photography can be linked to reconnaissance, which as far as I am aware can be undertaken by both the good guys and the bad guys.

It is disappointing that one poster has adopted a Basil Fawlty-style attitude toward customers and attempting to condone this ludicrous slanderous behaviour against the OP

Where exactly is the "slanderous behaviour"?

And it is also very disappointing that race was ever brought into it. Terrorism has nothing to do with race, it's just that no attention is given to ETA, the IRA etc. these days, this means that some people falsely believe that only people connected with Al-Qaeda can be terrorists and Al-Qaeda are the only terrorist organisation. This is clearly false.

Tell that to the OP who was the one that effectivly brought up the race card.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It is a sad but indisputable fact that many people who are now employed in the Industry would never have been here under BR.

The old "Railway Ethos" has gone, driven out by those newbies who would never have got in the door previously, but who have now managed to gain a foothold and are appointing those in their own shadow.

I have no doubt that those old Railwaymen who have now either been culled or have baled out would have handled these sorts of situations much differently.

Now my knowledge of history on LUL and national rail is pretty limited, but we are talking about a LUL employee here so Im not sure where your views on BR come into the matter.

Unfortunately the Industry now seems to have spawned a breed who are as ignorant as they are vocal.

Excuse me? What you like to expand on that.

 

[Old Timer]

Now my knowledge of history on LUL and national rail is pretty limited, but we are talking about a LUL employee here so Im not sure where your views on BR come into the matter..

If you talk to the older LUL people they will tell you about "security staff" whose attitude and approach are less than ideal, and who would not have been employed by LUL in the old days.