And I once again thank the Good Lord I live in South Carolina where we have no use for foolishness like this. Am I saying South Carolina is devoid of "celebrities?" Yes I am!
Posted on 10/01/2005 10:58:43 AM PDT by youthgonewild
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law on Friday tripling damages celebrities can win from paparazzi if they are assaulted during a shoot and denying the photographers profits from any pictures taken during an altercation.
The new law comes as Los Angeles authorities try to crack down on aggressive photographers following a series of altercations involving actresses Reese Witherspoon, Lindsay Lohan and Scarlett Johansson, among others.
As an actor, Schwarzenegger had testified against two photographers convicted in a 1998 incident involving him and his wife. He also once lobbied for a buffer zone protecting celebrities.
"We always said that the only way we would be able to curb dangerous behavior by these paparazzi was by going after their motivation, and that is being able to make enormous, outrageous profits," said the bill's author, California Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, a Democrat representing suburban Los Angeles.
"Ultimately, when it got to the governor's desk I think he probably remembered his own situation, when he testified in court," she said.
A spokesman for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, which opposed the bill, said the group was disappointed.
"We wish the governor would have vetoed it, but it's not like we're surprised," CNPA general counsel Tom Newton said. "He and his family were victims of the behavior that it was attempting to end."
Newton said any journalists sued under the new law would likely challenge it as unconstitutional because it treats them more harshly than other Californians.
(Excerpt) Read more at http://news.yahoo.com...
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
"Newton said any journalists sued under the new law would likely challenge it as unconstitutional because it treats them more harshly than other Californians"
No, it treats their ACTIONS harshly.
It's not because they're 'journalists', it's because of what they do as journalists.
"Newton said any journalists sued under the new law would likely challenge it as unconstitutional because it treats them more harshly than other Californians."
They could always define it as a hate crime.
There is NO need for an anti-parrazzi law.
All they have to do is remove the unconsitutional laws that make it illegal for a person to protect him/herself.
If somebody harrasses me or mine with a camera - they EAT the camera. Quick and just retribution.
No sane and honorable person can refute that. No need for cops, scumbag lawyers nor their MASTERS in black robes.
Trolling for votes from the Hollywood community.
When it comes time for a political statement, mostly against Bush, the Hollywad elites beg for a camera.
"They could always define it as a hate crime."
Maybe the Philly Five (anti-perversion protesters) should take up photography?
/ not necessarily sarcasm.
Half the time its the hollywood moron, flipping off the paparazzi or egging them on. What a worthless bill by this RINO governor
I think this was necessary. It's one thing to have your picture taken but quite another to be "bumped" in traffic by a phtog or cut off causing accidents just cause the photog thinks a celeb is "fair game". It's begining to get dangerous.
Photogs have begun driving SUVs and actually bumping or cutting off celebs in traffic.
The paps deserve any treatment they get. I live in Hollywood and I've seen these folks in action. They are like rabid dogs. They get in people's faces, physically corner and trap them, yell hideous things at them to try and get a reaction... I wouldn't shed a tear if they were hunted down and shot, personally.
Remember when they were content with just getting a pic and not THE pic of the decade? It's a shame it has come to this but I see the need for it.
And I once again thank the Good Lord I live in South Carolina where we have no use for foolishness like this. Am I saying South Carolina is devoid of "celebrities?" Yes I am!
Yeah, but look at the price you have to pay. you have to live in South Carolina. (Just kidding)
I agree. I was watching something on the local news yesterday about a purse snatcher in LA that beat up a woman who had come after him (after he snatched her purse). The news went on to warn: "Never fight back--never go after a perpetrator" (or some such comment). Nonsense, imo. Until the people start fighting back against the thugs, things will continue to deteriorate.
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