We recently watched the film V for Vendetta. Although the film was set in a totalitarian Britain, it seemed to me to be more critical of America. It got me thinking about how the USA seems to be heading more towards a police state, and away from the mythical Land of the Free.
Recent incidents include:
Police arresting Jawyalking Historian 5 Police officers wrestle a historian to the ground for Jaywalking
Taser-happy Police Police taser a student because he refused to show his student ID to university security. He was actually leaving the library when he was attacked. There have been many other incicents of police using tasers on defenceless people.
The Law is too stupid to understand anything computer related Teacher arrested because a classroom computer was infested with spyware and a porn pop-up window appeared on screen.
Do as we say, not as we do A Georgia couple are arrested for installing a camera to catch speeding motorists, and catching a speeding police officer.
The Lawn Police An elderly Utah resident is arrested and beaten up for not watering her lawn.
Land of the Free, as long as you don't have a camera This seems to be a popular subject now. New York is threatening to bring in legislation to restrict photography in the city.
I'm sure the world can sleep easily, knowing that the great superpower is devoting its energies towards victimising it's citizens.
Update:
A few more stories which I've since found:
More stupid taser police Police taser a man who was holding a new-born baby.
Arrested for not showing receipt Man calls the police after store security illegally detain him for not showing a receipt on his way out. The police then arrest man for not showing his driving licence
American Presidents |
Story location: Home / bits-n-bobs / |
| 24/May/2006 |
Presidents of the USA from 1789 to present.
According to a survey, Americans are much less healthy than the British. Even the British at the poor end of the scale are healthier than wealthier-than-average Americans. Woo-hoo. Pass me another jumbo bucket of chicken bits, fries and a gallon of (non-diet) coke.
USA State Capitals |
Story location: Home / bits-n-bobs / |
| 24/Oct/2002 |
Las Vegas Day 3: Last full day of holiday - more sightseeing. |
Story location: Home / Blog / las_vegas / |
| 13/Feb/2002 |
Hotel San Remo - home of the $4.95 Steak and Eggs, as recommended by Rechaad and Candy (They took the photo of me standing at the edge of the canyon yesterday.)
It would have been a long walk to here from Circus Circus, so I took the bus most of the way, and then wandered around taking a few photos in the area. I didn't realise that I was taking so many photos until I noticed that I had actually shot an entire roll before breakfast!
The Hotel was set back a couple of hundred yard from The Strip, but the short walk was worth it. The steak was good, as was the coffee.
The Bellagio.
The pond/lake in front of the hotel is the setting for the famous musical fountain show. A very simple idea, but well executed - the fountains come on and off in time to the music.
New York New York and Paris, Las Vegas. See two famous landmarks within a short walk of each other - cuts out thousands of miles of travelling.
The roller coaster at NYNY can be seen behind the Statue of Liberty - this was the scariest, most painful roller coaster ride I have been on - it is fast, with several sharp turns where you get thrown violently from side to side. Expensive at $10 per ride, but I had to do it just the once!
Las Vegas at night.
New York New York.
Luxur, with the searchlight shining from the top of the pyramid.
The coach collected me from the Hotel at around 6am. It was the early afternoon before we actually got there.
I couldn't go to Las Vegas without visiting the Grand Canyon. The day trip was booked using the Internet, and I only received confirmation the day before my flight out from Manchester - the whole holiday was arranged at the last minute really, I only got my flight booked about two weeks beforehand. Anyway, the view was spectacular. The only downside was the 5 hour coach trip to get there - I didn't realise it was so far away, but it was worth it.
During the Grand Canyon trip, I was talking to an American couple who recommended the Steak and Eggs at the San Remo, back in Las Vegas - more about that tomorrow.
Mostly spent at the northern half of The Strip, walking around and seeing the sights.
I was only in Las Vegas for 4 nights (but this was reduced to 2 full days once the flights in and out and the Grand Canyon trip were taken into account), and I didn't get chance to see any shows, except for a few of the free ones - the circus acts at Circus Circus and an Elvis impersonator/tribute act at the MGM Grand.
I was staying at the Circus Circus - one of the older, cheaper hotels at the north end of The Strip. It was OK - the room was fine and as I was in Las Vegas to see the sights, I didn't want to pay too much for any fancy accomodation. The 'all you can eat' breakfast buffet was good - although it got poor reviews in the guide books, it was advertised as 'New and Improved' and was excellent value for $6.
The view north, along Las Vegas Boulevard. Treasure Island is on the immediate left, and the Stratophere Tower is visible in the distance.
The Stratophere Tower - the view from the top was impressive. Even better than that was the roller coaster ride on the top - called the 'High Roller', it was a fairly gentle ride as roller coasters go, but being so high up, the view was great.
