I decided for my first blog to do what I do best, which is to annoy the people I know and photo radar seems to be a good way to go. In general I do not particularly like the idea of government monitoring its' citizens or the use of technology to possibly infringe upon our rights. I would prefer a world where we did need speed cameras. I really don't like that the flash can be a PTSD trigger for our courageous veterans. Having that said, I'm not ready to join those screaming for it's removal. The arguments I've heard, which I admit may not be all, are that it's revenue gimmick not really meant to creating safety and that it infringes on our right to privacy.
Privacy, really in that thing surrounded by a bunch of windows, where you crank the music way up, put stupid stickers/vanity plates on, buy expensive useless accessories for in order to look cool for the girl in the car next to you that could care less if your alive. Privacy, we upload uncountable numbers of photos to facebook and flicker, put videos on YouTube and have God only know how many people filming themselves sexually (not that I have ever seen that stuff). Almost every store you walk into is recording you, but I don't hear the outcry over that. Our civil rights don't seem to matter when we want an Affliction T-shirt, The Hills DVD or David Hasselhoffs newest CD, but hey that is corporate brother and not Big brother.
The Internet things I mentioned are our choice, which is what this is really about. I don't want someone to tell me what I can and can't do, I have the right to choose. Even when I'm wrong, which is very often though I will not admit it, you don't have not right to call me on it and tell me what to do. Thankfully I'm wrong and you can call me on it because our civil rights or not absolute or unlimited. Your rights end when they harm or take away from others. My right to speech allows me to write this blog and for you to respond, but it does not allow us to lie or slander. The same rule applies when driving. Your right to speed and get somewhere 90 seconds faster does not override every other drivers right to be safe. Furthermore, we do have a choice in this matter. We can choose to obey the laws intended to keep us safe. These cameras only take our picture when we do something dangerous that could harm others. I find it funny that in the age of technology when we talk about how interconnected we are that we so easily forget how our actions and choices effect others.
Despite stereotypes, this democrat does not favor more laws and regulations. I prefer to use them only when necessary, because out of all the ways to change behavior punishment is the least effective. In this instance though I believe we have definitely shown that we do not make good decisions in this area and something needs to happen. Besides speeding and red light running, we also drive under the influence, talk on cell phones, eat, apply make up along with many other reckless things while driving. Despite the multiple studies pointing out the danger and the thousands of lives and millions of dollars lost a year, we know what we are doing. Do the cameras create safety, I don't know. DPS and other agencies say they have seen a reduction in accidents in these areas, but I understand individuals skepticism due to the sources vested interest. Maybe I am naive, but I choose to believe that someone somewhere in this process really cared about safety when they came up with idea. So if you want my support stop complaining about the cameras and start coming up with alternatives to keep people safe. You do that and I am with you. For those of you who want to Quote Franklin to me or liken this to Bush's' wire tapping, save it. If we showed any responsibility, I included, we would not have photo radar or waste officers time patrolling the road ways.
Finally, what if it is a revenue scheme? We have no problem taxing smokers for their bad habit, which is not illegal. Our need for speed costs and kills just as many, so what is the difference. The difference is this bad thing is done by the majority, while the other is done by a minority. And we are okay picking on them despite that pesky thing we call a Constitution that protects minority rights. I'm not worried though, our fine legislature with its' backbone of steel will not give in to the masses. They may be cut happy, but even they are not stupid enough to cut a source of revenue in these economic times, just to keep themselves in office. Damn that would require them to lead and that is just not in their job description. Now that I think about it we do not need that revenue anyways, it's probably only amounts to a few teachers, classes at ASU, beds for veterans, the elderly, victims of abuse or mentally ill. I may not be able to admit when I'm wrong but I can admit when I'm beaten. So what the hell, where my torch? I'll join the mob and destroy those damn monstrosities.
