Law Proposed to Track All Pre-paid Cell Phones

[Kelavarus]

I'm black and I say this picture isn't racism.

Random, sure, but not racism. There, you have a black man's approval now. If only because you're the best author on this site.

 

[getritch]

[citation][nom]TA152H[/nom]Forgetting it's from a show, the interesting part is, the people complaining about the picture, are being racist, since they wouldn't have complained if white people were put there. It's not like there is a pattern.So, in order not to be racist, you always have to show white people when it relates to something bad? Pure hypocrisy.[/citation]

Far from the truth. The racism is inherent in having a single, unfairly represented race present. it doesnt matter if its all blacks, whites or chinese. I personally felt offended because I myself am black and have never watched "the wire."

My grievance is not with the picture itself (since anyone with half a brain can click it and see its source, like I did), but with the manner in which it is portrayed; specifically the fact that there is no explanation for why these african american young men are emblazoning an article with this title.

Jane, i usually like your articles, but this is a grave failure on your part, and i'd like to see you correct this with a small caption explaining the picture.

 

[kingnoobe]

No it's not easy to take the picture out of context. If the first thing you saw was color, and screamed racism chances are you're the racist one.

I'd put money on it if it was 4 white guys nobody would claim racism. And why is it only racism why isn't it also discremantion. Are there no women criminals? I cry foul.

 

[silky salamandr]

Well honestly it was implied just like it was viewed. I love the wire I think it was one of the best shows ever made. But alot of people dont even know what the wire was so thats where the reaction comes from. Im not racially sensetive at all but im kinda irritated, let me tell you why. If you read the article it states that it will be used to "track down and find people". The question is doin what? Then Jane threw up the pic of black people selling drugs. Thats excatly what the 2 senetors were thinking when they are trying to get this law passed they just couldnt be a flagrant like jane was.

So it will be used to track down drug dealers.

And yes Im a 29 year old black man.

I like Jane and I think shes the only one around there that has some sense but made a poor judgment call.

But I think this will end like all the post I write calling out Marcus and Tuan; It will be deleted and I will be banned. There is no accountability at toms especially with Marcus and Tuan.

So read this while you can before I get banned for speaking in a tone that toms doesnt like.

 

[pocketdrummer]

[citation][nom]the_krasno[/nom]If this is about the botched bombings, shouldn't the pic be of terrorists?[/citation]

That's right... so get a picture of a Middle-eastern male next time. Jeez!

 

[JMcEntegart]

[citation][nom]silky salamandr[/nom]Well honestly it was implied just like it was viewed. I love the wire I think it was one of the best shows ever made. But alot of people dont even know what the wire was so thats where the reaction comes from. Im not racially sensetive at all but im kinda irritated, let me tell you why. If you read the article it states that it will be used to "track down and find people". The question is doin what? Then Jane threw up the pic of black people selling drugs. Thats excatly what the 2 senetors were thinking when they are trying to get this law passed they just couldnt be a flagrant like jane was. So it will be used to track down drug dealers. And yes Im a 29 year old black man.I like Jane and I think shes the only one around there that has some sense but made a poor judgment call. But I think this will end like all the post I write calling out Marcus and Tuan; It will be deleted and I will be banned. There is no accountability at toms especially with Marcus and Tuan. So read this while you can before I get banned for speaking in a tone that toms doesnt like.[/citation]

I'm not going to ban you, you have a right to your own opinion. But I have to disagree, I don't think it's wrong to use a picture from a well known TV show (popular enough to make it across the pond to the UK and Ireland in late 2008) in which the characters use prepaid cell phones to run a drug ring and it presents a major problem for the police.

 

[blurr91]

Maybe instead of forcing companies to track all pre-paid phones, the government should do its job of tracking suspicious people.

 

[JMcEntegart]

Have added a note to the article explaining the the characters in the picture actually evade the law using prepaid cell phones. Hopefully that should clear things up. I'm genuinely sorry if I caused anyone any offense. That was definitely not my intention.

 

[leafblower29]

Like they aren't already tracking?

 

[crinky]

hahaha she had to add info about the pic to not look racist hahahaha

 

[LLJones]

They chip away at every little piece of privacy we have left. It won't be much longer before you will need to show your papers just to walk down the street. I'm trying to think of where I have seen such a society before. Drawing a bit of a blank, seem to recall a guy with a funny mustache and something about a hammer and sickle.

 

[anamaniac]

So, what, I'll just register my prepaid for a Mr. Anon Ymous, who lives at #69 No Where St.?
[citation][nom]JMcEntegart[/nom]Have added a note to the article explaining the the characters in the picture actually evade the law using prepaid cell phones. Hopefully that should clear things up. I'm genuinely sorry if I caused anyone any offense. That was definitely not my intention.[/citation]
Unintentional racism is the best kind!

 

[tornitron]

It figures Charles Schumer would be involved in this. He is one of the closest things we have in this country to a Nazi. Chuck is a truly disturbed individual.

Though I'm sure that picture was added in jest, it walks a really fine line. Definitely not appropriate if this site wants to maintain any form of credibility.

 

[rdawise]

[citation][nom]kingnoobe[/nom]No it's not easy to take the picture out of context. If the first thing you saw was color, and screamed racism chances are you're the racist one. I'd put money on it if it was 4 white guys nobody would claim racism. And why is it only racism why isn't it also discremantion. Are there no women criminals? I cry foul.[/citation]

Didn't you just contradict yourself by betting that if they are white, that nobody would claim racism? To quote you:
[citation]If the first thing you saw was color, and screamed racism chances are you're the racist one.[/citation]

Like I stated, I was taken back at first, but realized (after reading a few comments as I dont watch the show) that it's from "the Wire". The issue wasn't color explicitly so much as what did that picture have to do with the article. If you pictured 4 women, you would get the same kind of response (though it would be sexism).

If you're going to point out a flaw, at least try not to do it yourself.

Anyway, kudos to the author for adding the update. As I stated, Jane is a great author and I know (assume) she wouldn't do something like that. Though, the apology wasn't needed since all it called for was clarification.

 

[drutort]

i dont get it, this isnt going to stop anything, maybe the stupid ya it might catch some... but seriously every person has a cell phone it can easily be borrowed or stolen... and your back to square one 😛 even if you tried to monitor everyone it will be too late im sure, you might know the after but not the during or at the moment type of thing. And at the end all the abiding citizens get the end of the shaft... more fees more storage more employees etc...

 

[Zingam]

[citation][nom]amabhy[/nom]wtf is up with that picture?that is racism![/citation]

Not showing black people is racism!

 

[Zingam]

[citation][nom]thejester420[/nom]I hate this whole, "If I'm a law abiding citizen I have nothing to hide" mentality... If your a law abiding citizen then you shouldn't be monitored...period. everyday we inch closer and closer to George Orwell's 1984.... "Those who give up liberty for security deserve neither liberty nor security" Ben Franklin[/citation]


George Orwell, George Orwell stop that bullshit. George Orwell's society was invented one.
Communism was like that and for real and it exist in China still.
Nazi Germany was a real country.

😀

George Orwell... hahaha.... Stop reading SciFi and read some real history!

 

[Guest]

Like "1984". Hopefully the technology will permit us to evade the censors and live our private lives in private. I live in an ex-communist state and I know/ remember what it means to have all the phones in the country taped and informants about what you dare to think everywhere.

 

[JMcEntegart]

[citation][nom]rdawise[/nom] Though, the apology wasn't needed since all it called for was clarification.[/citation]

I apologised just the same as I do when I accidentally bump into a stranger on the street. : )

 

[princeofdreams]

This law would be about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike, so what happens with all the second hand phones? would they pass a law forcing people to get ID every time you sold your phone on to someone else?

And people stop trying to make this post about racism, it is derailing what is in effect a serious topic and yet more of your civil liberties being eroded by over zealous control freaks