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Texas to Provide Online 'Bordercams'

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the where-do-I-live-now dept.

Dr_Barnowl writes "The BBC reports that Texas intends to erect a network of online webcams at its border to Mexico. The intention is apparently to use viewers as a kind of distributed processing network, with a free phone number to report border-jumpers." From the article: "'A stronger border is what Americans want and it's what our security demands and that is what Texas is going to deliver,' Mr Perry said. The cameras will cost $5m (£2.7m) to install and will be trained on sections of the 1,000-mile (1,600km) border known to be favoured by illegal immigrants " Hey, it's working for Britain, right?

7 of 730 comments (clear)

  1. There is a key difference by drp · · Score: 5, Insightful

    These cameras will be publicly viewable by anyone on the internet, not just The Authorities.

    I have absolutely no problem at all with 100% public surveillance, as long as all of the video feeds are available to any person at any time, and not just Big Brother.

  2. Slight Difference by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hey, it's working for Britain, right?

    There's a subtle, but important, difference. Britain's cams look in while Texas's cams look out. If Texas tried to spy on its citizens the same way that Britain does (not that I'm saying that Brits necessarily mind the camera), the Texans would blow them away with 20 gauge shotguns.

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    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
  3. Feature request for v1.1 by JonTurner · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now, if only we could add a web interface to a sentry gun...

    It's a Video Game. It's National Security. It's two, TWO, two games in one!

  4. Re:also, for further reference... by gowen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm always absolutely baffled by people who use words like "Privacy" to discuss people watching things that are done in public. You have no privacy in public. When you're in public, passers-by, cameras, the police, CIA satellites, nosy neighbours and anyone with a telescope can all see you.

    That's why "Public" is the opposite of "Private".

    If you want privacy for your actions, do them in private. It's not rocket science.

    (The clue is in the words: "Privacy" is to "Private" as ..... is to "Public").

    --
    Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
  5. Hoo boy... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny
    Not only do illegal immigrants have to jump fences, ford rivers, and risk life and limb.. now they have to camwhore as well.

    I can see the AIM bots now.. "Hola! Click here to see me and my girlfriends have wild parties, hide from border patrols, and dodge farmers' bullets! Tee-hee! ;-)"

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  6. Re:"What Americans want" by lbrandy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Says who? I suspect an honest poll of real-life ordinary Americans would reveal that they want affordable social security, the end of the war in Iraq, sensible energy policies and a range of other things first...

    Feel free to browse here to see what Americans think the biggest problems are. War in Iraq, gas prices, immigration are all high on every poll...

  7. Re:GIve up Texas by misleb · · Score: 5, Funny

    Boy, that kinda talk will get your ass kicked down here in Houston.

    I know. That is one of the reasons to give up Texas.

    -matthew

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    "THERE IS NO JUSTICE, THERE IS ONLY ME." -Death