The rights Americans enjoy are under threat from many sources. The left wants to use political correctness to silence Americans. Islamists want to ban any criticism of Islam. Democrats work to crush anyone who dares to disagree with the Party of Treason.
But there is another threat against our rights.
It is the bureaucracy.
As far as threats to liberty, the bureaucracy is one of the worst. It is relentless. It is unaccountable and it is always growing.
Recently, the bureaucrats at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) came up with a bright idea. They decided that if anyone wants to take a photograph in America’s national parks, the photographer would have to pay a $1,500 fee.
It’s a good thing these clowns were not around eight decades ago or Ansel Adam’s great iconic photographs would not exist today.
Anyone with a camera would be subject to the fee. That would be the professional photographer who comes to the park with $15,000 worth of camera gear hanging around their neck. It would include the video journalist, reporting for a local TV station. That would include the amateur photographer seeking his own iconic shot of Old Faithful, and it would even include the tourist entering a national park with a cellphone that can take photos or video.
Word of this insanity quickly spread through social media. The USFS tried to pivot and deflect. In a Sept. 25, press release, the USFS offered this bit of comedic gold. “The US Forest Service remains committed to the First Amendment,” said USFS Chief Tom Tidwell. “To be clear, provisions in the draft directive do not apply to news gathering or activities.”
While USFS bureaucrats claim these directives will not apply to news gathering or other activities, they seem to forget that the activity of photography is protected by the First Amendment.
Instead of abandoning this insane plan, the Forest Service will instead “extend and delay” the period for comments on these proposed regulations. The USFS also said, “Generally, professional and amateur photographers will not need a permit.”
“Generally,” is a word that bureaucrats love and the American public should fear.
The U.S. Forest Service is not the only government agency that does not understand photography is protected by the First Amendment.
In Nashville, Tenn., the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation is now telling any photographer who wants to take photos in Nashville’s parks, they must obtain a permit that costs $125.
Fox News in Nashville reported on the story of a photographer who was told to stop taking photographs at the iconic Nashville Parthenon, which is located in Centennial Park.
According to the Nashville Parks and Recreation website, if you want to photograph in Nashville Parks, you have to apply for your fee at least five days before you want to take pictures. You must obtain insurance and file a separate application the Metro Public Works Department.
In 2009, Nashville was the scene of some of the largest Tea Party rallies to protest government. Nashville needs to have another Tea Party rally to protest this assault on freedom.
Photography is not a crime. The First Amendment protects photography.
And the greatest threat to liberty may be the growing, out of control government bureaucracy.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.