“Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.

The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers…”

“…Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.

“These rules will apply to a huge range of casual photography and filming, including tourists taking snapshots and people making short videos for YouTube,” said Christopher Dunn, the group’s associate legal director.

Mr. Dunn suggested that the city deliberately kept the language vague, and that as a result police would have broad discretion in enforcing the rules. In a letter sent to the film office this week, Mr. Dunn said the proposed rules would potentially apply to tourists in places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center or ground zero, “where people routinely congregate for more than half an hour and photograph or film.”

The rule could also apply to people waiting in line to enter the Empire State Building or other tourist attractions…”

This is an interesting case that boils down to whom one trusts: the President or the Press. Personally, I trust the President over the press here. It just seems like the press and their adherents are incorrect, either ignorantly seizing on something they perceive as an invasion of privacy, or maliciously trying to spin the situation and zing the president who dares to maintain the proper function of the state over those who would sabotage the proper function of the state. Check out both articles.

Along related lines, the more you give to beggars, the harder beggars will try. This leads to what economists call “rent exhaustion,” which again limits the net gain to beggars. In short, you wish to give to the relatively inelastic factors. This usually rules out beggars, who respond to incentives rather quickly. If you are going to give, pick the poor person who is expecting it least.

All Christmas presents should be like the first one: appearing where and when they are least expected.