http://www.pixiq.com/article/houston-man-receives-visit-from-fbi-after-photographing-weather

A man who snapped photos of a brewing storm last month received a visit Friday from an FBI Agent, inquiring why he would want to take such photos.

Michael Galindo explained that he was simply volunteering for the National Weather Service.

And FBI Agent David Pileggi seemed to be satisfied with that response.

But Galindo was left wondering whether he now has a permanent FBI file.

“He told me, ‘you’re not a threat and you are doing a public service but just be careful next time,’” Galindo said in a telephone interview with Photography is Not a Crime.

The problem arose because Galindo happened to be taking photos near the Lyondell Refinery outside of Houston on September 13, even though he was never standing on the refinery’s property.

Someone from the refinery spotted him and called police, whom apparently arrived after he had left.

Police then contacted the local FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which bills itself as “nation’s front line on terrorism.”

“I was pretty freaked out when he came but I had no idea what it was about,” said the 26-year-old man. “The worst thing I’ve done is get speeding tickets, but I haven’t gotten one in three years.


Read more at http://www.pixiq.com/article/houston-man-receives-visit-from-fbi-after-photographing-weather#2K0hzHRxAsIbosGg.99

I remember back in the late 80's there were signs posted around the Groton Submarine facility that no pictures could be taken inside the fence or within 100 yards of the fence. No big deal, here.

I have to say, I am happy when I read something like this. Kudos to the refinery worker and then all of those who followed up.

This has been a growing problem for the photo community especially since 9/11, and it is not just when taking photos near "sensitive" installations.

@ FUNdamental-Back in the 70s they used to run tour boats up the river, and quite often sub crews would pose for pictures. How things have changed.

Still fucking America and if you are not trespassing then photographs are permissible. FBI knocking on the door constitutes a police state. Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500 murders by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a year. Now go wet your pants
Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American way.

Galindo told the agent that he volunteers for a NWS program called Skywarn that trains citizens to monitor the weather in the name of “protecting lives and property.”

Read more at http://www.pixiq.com/article/houston-man-receives-visit-from-fbi-after-photographing-weather#KmWE6H2BKSCpExRp.99

He should have told them to get away from his door and fuck off. He wasn't breaking any laws, and he shouldn't have answered any questions without a lawyer. I wonder how they tracked him down.

Ummm. your title states he was arrested when he was questioned. You fail

Whether or not you agree with the government policy,as a photographer, or even a photo hobbyist, you should know by now to steer clear of any of the obvious areas that might get you into trouble.

It sucks, but I just assume go to other locations, rather than go through what could be a serious pain in the ass and possibly worse. Since 9-11, everything has changed for photography, especially for landscape and bird folks who used to shoot in those areas.

If you try to go clandestine to get to, or shoot in these areas, you'll only get into deeper shit, if you're caught. Not worth the hassle to shoot a woodpecker or fall foliage.

Numbers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Whether or not you agree with the government
> policy,as a photographer, or even a photo
> hobbyist, you should know by now to steer clear of
> any of the obvious areas that might get you into
> trouble.
>
> It sucks, but I just assume go to other locations,
> rather than go through what could be a serious
> pain in the ass and possibly worse. Since 9-11,
> everything has changed for photography, especially
> for landscape and bird folks who used to shoot in
> those areas.
>
> If you try to go clandestine to get to, or shoot
> in these areas, you'll only get into deeper shit,
> if you're caught. Not worth the hassle to shoot a
> woodpecker or fall foliage.


What is it they like to tell us all the time, now?

"If you're not doing anything wrong, what have you got to fear?"

I remember when in my early twenties I sent an email to the white house for fucking up and getting someone killed overseas who was pro american.

Next week I was tailgated by the secret service for 5 miles.

Funny part was the dude followign me was the same age as me and a lot smaller and did not look intimidating at all.

Why do they send super skinny white men who look like they might have aids after me?

The New America Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still fucking America and if you are not
> trespassing then photographs are permissible. FBI
> knocking on the door constitutes a police state.
> Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500 murders
> by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a year.
> Now go wet your pants
> Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American way.


From what I saw, it seems to me that the FBI just made a reasonable inquiry, and let the guy go.

Seems to me that a refinery worker reported something suspicious (thank you), the FBI followed up directly, made a reasonable determination (thank you) and the photographer was free to go on his way, and even speak about his experience (thank you).

Looks like everything worked as it should have.

This type of viligance might have prevented 9/11. Maybe, maybe not. But I certainly understand this kind of stuff framed in that light. Don't you? Please tell me you do.

You want them on that wall. You need them on that wall.

You want to see a police state? Go somewhere else. Try doing ANYHTING like that in say, Belfast, or, say, Iran, or say, Indonesia. Your ass would be grass.

You, ma'am/sir, are free to wet your pants.

way wrong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The New America Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Still fucking America and if you are not
> > trespassing then photographs are permissible.
> FBI
> > knocking on the door constitutes a police
> state.
> > Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500
> murders
> > by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a
> year.
> > Now go wet your pants
> > Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American
> way.
>
>
> From what I saw, it seems to me that the FBI just
> made a reasonable inquiry, and let the guy go.
>
> Seems to me that a refinery worker reported
> something suspicious (thank you), the FBI followed
> up directly, made a reasonable determination
> (thank you) and the photographer was free to go on
> his way, and even speak about his experience
> (thank you).
>
> Looks like everything worked as it should have.
>
> This type of vigilance might have prevented 9/11.
> Maybe, maybe not. But I certainly understand this
> kind of stuff framed in that light. Don't you?
> Please tell me you do.
>
> You want them on that wall. You need them on that
> wall.
>
> You want to see a police state? Go somewhere else.
> Try doing ANYHTING like that in say, Belfast, or,
> say, Iran, or say, Indonesia. Your ass would be
> grass.
>
> You, ma'am/sir, are free to wet your pants

People die. Everything dies. Then maybe we should go ahead and remove vehicles, guns, airplanes and alcohol. Your child walking down the road and some drunk terrorist driving?
Besides any future terrorist would just google it.
I have been to the countries you mentioned plus another 112 more. And that's why I agree with the first poster. If you want to be concerned then stay home and die of radon or mold in the house but America should stay free.
And it was as American citizen who had ties to PC Romney that owned the flight school where the terrorist practiced flight training. Free enterprise. And maybe the FBI should do a background check on future pilots. Also people applying for drivers licenses? Or parents who want children?
"Papers Please"
Where's J. E. Hoover when you need paranoia?
Attachments:

Been there Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> way wrong Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The New America Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Still fucking America and if you are not
> > > trespassing then photographs are permissible.
> > FBI
> > > knocking on the door constitutes a police
> > state.
> > > Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500
> > murders
> > > by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a
> > year.
> > > Now go wet your pants
> > > Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American
> > way.
> >
> >
> > From what I saw, it seems to me that the FBI
> just
> > made a reasonable inquiry, and let the guy go.
> >
> > Seems to me that a refinery worker reported
> > something suspicious (thank you), the FBI
> followed
> > up directly, made a reasonable determination
> > (thank you) and the photographer was free to go
> on
> > his way, and even speak about his experience
> > (thank you).
> >
> > Looks like everything worked as it should have.
> >
> > This type of vigilance might have prevented
> 9/11.
> > Maybe, maybe not. But I certainly understand
> this
> > kind of stuff framed in that light. Don't you?
> > Please tell me you do.
> >
> > You want them on that wall. You need them on
> that
> > wall.
> >
> > You want to see a police state? Go somewhere
> else.
> > Try doing ANYHTING like that in say, Belfast,
> or,
> > say, Iran, or say, Indonesia. Your ass would be
> > grass.
> >
> > You, ma'am/sir, are free to wet your pants
>
> People die. Everything dies. Then maybe we should
> go ahead and remove vehicles, guns, airplanes and
> alcohol. Your child walking down the road and some
> drunk terrorist driving?
> Besides any future terrorist would just google
> it.
> I have been to the countries you mentioned plus
> another 112 more. And that's why I agree with the
> first poster. If you want to be concerned then
> stay home and die of radon or mold in the house
> but America should stay free.
> And it was as American citizen who had ties to PC
> Romney that owned the flight school where the
> terrorist practiced flight training. Free
> enterprise. And maybe the FBI should do a
> background check on future pilots. Also people
> applying for drivers licenses? Or parents who want
> children?
> "Papers Please"
> Where's J. E. Hoover when you need paranoia?


With your analogies (people die, everything dies, drunks driving down the road) what are you suggesting?

Are you saying there should be no oversight by a governmental authority on any of these activities, or any other activities, simply because things can go wrong? Bad things happen to good people, therefore, awww, screw it, just let things run wild?

What was your point about an American citizen having ties to the flight facility? I don't think anyone said only check non-Americans. Hell, check 'em all if there is a reasonable suspicion.

There needs to be a reasonable system of checks and balances, of course, but no, I see nothing unreasonable about what happened with regards to somebody taking pictures of a sensitive facility, being questioned about what they were doing, and being told to "carry on" after a cursory talking to.

What was your point that a terrorist could have googled it? Yes, that is correct, they could have, but up close pictures of entry points, windows, security systems, etc. could have also served a terrorists purposes quite well. So no points for you there.

If you are suggesting we need to live in a lawless society simply because we have everyday activities where things can wrong at the hands of American citizens, you are an idiot, and are free to go off and wet your pants.

America is free, and remains free. American freedom was jeopardized in the days immediately after 9/11, and while we give up certain conveniences to this day because of that (lines to get on planes, etc) it is certainly better than the alternative if we decide to discontinue a reasonable level of vigilance.

I too have been in other countries, and like I said, you trying doing some of this in some these countries. Not only might you spend a few days in jail (or longer) but you would get repeat time for speaking out about it.

The difference between free nation and a police state is in the free nation the police come looking for the culprit after the crime has been committed.
In the police state, the police look for culprits before the crime is committed.
What ever the eye can see and committed to film(digital for the non matures)is not a crime in a free nation.

The New America Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still fucking America and if you are not
> trespassing then photographs are permissible. FBI
> knocking on the door constitutes a police state.
> Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500 murders
> by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a year.
> Now go wet your pants
> Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American way.


What if he was middle eastern and actually taking pictures of the refinery? Is that still okay with you, or would that be racial profiling?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2012 09:09AM by Ralph Pootawn.

Who really win in these patrols are the terrorists that want to take our freedom.

If we let the republicans have their ways we would all have RFID's implanted in us so the government could track us every where.

Ralph Pootawn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The New America Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Still fucking America and if you are not
> > trespassing then photographs are permissible.
> FBI
> > knocking on the door constitutes a police
> state.
> > Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500
> murders
> > by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a
> year.
> > Now go wet your pants
> > Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American
> way.
>
>
> What if he was middle eastern and actually taking
> pictures of the refinery? Is that still okay with
> you, or would that be racial profiling?

Terroist will not blow up a refinery. Why would they?
We do a pretty good job of it ourselves. Read the news once in a while.

Let's do a background check on all the posters to this thread.

We fired the FBI agent for not shooting the weather observer for looking up in the sky. Probably checking out one of the drones.
You people really think your free?

Big Brother Knows Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's do a background check on all the posters to
> this thread.
>
> We fired the FBI agent for not shooting the
> weather observer for looking up in the sky.
> Probably checking out one of the drones.
> You people really think your free?

It's sad when the government is telling it's citizens what you can and can not take pictures off.

Tin Soldiers and Nixon Coming Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The difference between free nation and a police
> state is in the free nation the police come
> looking for the culprit after the crime has been
> committed.
> In the police state, the police look for culprits
> before the crime is committed.
> What ever the eye can see and committed to
> film(digital for the non matures)is not a crime in
> a free nation.

And, it was not a crime in this instance. The man was questioned about his activities, and everything checked out.

Activities, which to a reasonable person in this post 9-11 environment, could be considered suspicious.

Police investigate all manner of suspicious activity before a crime is committed. Smart police work, that's all.

"What ever the eye can see and committed to film(digital for the non matures)is not a crime in a free nation."...first of all, horrible grammar, and second, absolutely not true. There are many things you can't legally take pictures of that the eye can see.

Just another day Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ralph Pootawn Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The New America Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Still fucking America and if you are not
> > > trespassing then photographs are permissible.
> > FBI
> > > knocking on the door constitutes a police
> > state.
> > > Fucking paranoia in a country where 9,500
> > murders
> > > by firearms and 35,000 automobile deaths a
> > year.
> > > Now go wet your pants
> > > Truth, Liberty and the the Paranoid American
> > way.
> >
> >
> > What if he was middle eastern and actually
> taking
> > pictures of the refinery? Is that still okay
> with
> > you, or would that be racial profiling?
>
> Terroist will not blow up a refinery. Why would
> they?
> We do a pretty good job of it ourselves. Read the
> news once in a while.


They might. Who thought they would fly planes into buildings?

How can you categorically say they wouldn't blow up a refinery? What else do you know they wouldn't do?

Why don't you provide that list to the FBI? I'm sure they could use your help.

>
>
> They might. Who thought they would fly planes into
> buildings?
> Quite a few have been flown into buildings over the years.
> How can you categorically say they wouldn't blow
> up a refinery? What else do you know they wouldn't
> do?
> Eatat Tippy's Taco
> Why don't you provide that list to the FBI? I'm
> sure they could use your help.

First. I think the poster was being factious.
Second, Who knows whats going to happen. Yellowstone may erupt and spew ash over the entire planet. North Anna Nuclear Power Plant might pull a China Syndrome. American Airlines seat crashes into cockpit and plane drops in for dinner at your house. Go to the movies and somebody gets pissed off about the popcorn. Truck driver is texting and changing country station while you and the family are going to the mall.Israel might bomb wrong bunker and Iran thinks we did it. Your kid finds a gun you hid, Gas line leak. Lightning.Disgruntled employee. Who knows.
I would hope the FBI already knows what are prime targets.
Oh yea, what concerns this poster is the fact that their some real stupid posters here that can't read between the lines.
Gotta go get some tinfoil for my head and check for drones
Attachments:

wowza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tin Soldiers and Nixon Coming Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The difference between free nation and a police
> > state is in the free nation the police come
> > looking for the culprit after the crime has
> been
> > committed.
> > In the police state, the police look for
> culprits
> > before the crime is committed.
> > What ever the eye can see and committed to
> > film(digital for the non matures)is not a crime
> in
> > a free nation.
>
> And, it was not a crime in this instance. The man
> was questioned about his activities, and
> everything checked out.
>
> Activities, which to a reasonable person in this
> post 9-11 environment, could be considered
> suspicious.
>
> Police investigate all manner of suspicious
> activity before a crime is committed. Smart police
> work, that's all.
>
> "What ever the eye can see and committed to
> film(digital for the non matures)is not a crime in
> a free nation."...first of all, horrible grammar,
> and second, absolutely not true. There are many
> things you can't legally take pictures of that the
> eye can see.


We must inform the internet that this is not permitted
Attachments:

¥



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2018 11:16PM by Wayfarer.

Wayfarer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
We are not at war or are we?


Lemme take a quick look....

Um.........yeah. We are.

Ummm no,
Declaration of war was not signed. But what the fuck.
Romney will sign one.

Wayfarer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's a sad day when you are questioned for taking
> photographs and even worse when people buy into
> the fact you should be questioned. Third world
> mentality. We are not at war or are we?
> Homeland Security created a partial police state.
> I love America but the citizens are becoming
> comfortably numb. Freedom is more important than a
> way of life.

Homeland Security? An excuse to pry into anyones private life without cause. Where have you been, where are you going, who are you seeing, what have you been reading, how much money do you have and so on.

What dont like it? Well maybe we need to take a closer look at you comrade, maybe you are hiding something. Papers please.

One,two,three what are we fighti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ummm no,
> Declaration of war was not signed. But what the
> fuck.
> Romney will sign one.


For almost four years I've been reading on this very site the words "it's Bush's fault because he started two unfunded wars"

Are you calling all the Obama-ites liers?

The good ole US of A just ain't cool no more.
The rednecks have the long hair and grow the pot.
Yuppies hang at the coffee houses and drive the Beamers.
Rock n Roll is played at Walmarts and used in commercials.
The government is more paranoid than me.
What's next.
A member of an occult in the White House?
Times they are a changin.

Big Brother is Watching Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.pixiq.com/article/houston-man-receives-
> visit-from-fbi-after-photographing-weather
>
> A man who snapped photos of a brewing storm last
> month received a visit Friday from an FBI Agent,
> inquiring why he would want to take such photos.



Meanwhile, on Google Earth and Bing Maps....

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Big Brother is Watching Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> http://www.pixiq.com/article/houston-man-receives-
>
> > visit-from-fbi-after-photographing-weather
> >
> > A man who snapped photos of a brewing storm
> last
> > month received a visit Friday from an FBI
> Agent,
> > inquiring why he would want to take such
> photos.
>
>
>
> Meanwhile, on Google Earth and Bing Maps....

Strategic intel is not what what they are trying to stop at this point. Sure, terror cells have plenty of access to aerial photos, maps, infrastructure diagrams, technical photos of refineries from the internet, etc.

Fresh photos of local ground conditions, planned access points, security personell, lighting conditions, that's tactical intel that will be used by professional operators (terrorists). Strategy can be done from afar, but having current photos of the exact fence you are going to cut through is invaluable, especially if the photo is taken under the same light conditions (aka time of day) as your planned operation. any detail is important.

I don't blame them for at least checking the guy out. successful terrorists aren't going to be amateurs.

Special ops, intel, tactical, professional operators,etc.
Dude was taking pitures of clouds. The refinery he was near has a piss poor track record and I wouldn't go near it cause it will blow on it's own.
Now get in your black helicopter and fly away.
Wrong type of gas

To much TV Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Special ops, intel, tactical, professional
> operators,etc.
> Dude was taking pitures of clouds. The refinery he
> was near has a piss poor track record and I
> wouldn't go near it cause it will blow on it's
> own.
> Now get in your black helicopter and fly away.
> Wrong type of gas


Not "to" much TV, but "two" much TV.

Learn the difference.

Love me too times.

MojO Risin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To much TV Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Special ops, intel, tactical, professional
> > operators,etc.
> > Dude was taking pitures of clouds. The refinery
> he
> > was near has a piss poor track record and I
> > wouldn't go near it cause it will blow on it's
> > own.
> > Now get in your black helicopter and fly away.
> > Wrong type of gas
>
>
> Not "to" much TV, but "two" much TV.
>
> Learn the difference.
>
> Love me too times.

I forgot me O. Soooooooooo sooooooorry