ps you guys couldn't find another picture of Moss without a big banner in the back that read "Black"? i mean i know this administration is a milestone in history, but c'mon Giz.
@Nick: What the hell man, the picture was taken at the Black Hat conference. As in Black Hat hackers. It has nothing to do with race at all, geez. Don't go bashing Giz for using a perfectly legitimate image because you read something into it that wasn't there. And if you check on Google images, that is one of the best looking pictures of the guy.
@--Core--: that's a talk you should have with your parents. just know it's prefectly normal and everybody goes through these changes with their bodies around your age.
This isn't a US document. It's not a forgery of anything, it's not trying to get you into a secure building, there's no harm in showing one of these. It would be the equivalent of showing your college ID to a cop. Although, I would probably take off the DHS header just to be safe...
@rbf2000: Do you really want to test your theory out? Not worth it.
There are better ways to make a point. Stay as far on the side of angels where the law is concerned and take diligent notes of the encounter. If you are unfairly stopped by an official - be it a police officer or a federal agent of some kind - document all identifying data. When the encounter is over, contact your local ACLU.
The best way to fight the system is from within. Use the tools of the establishment. It is long and wearying but it produces lasting results.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Proving a point and taking a stand are things better handled by people who are used to being "jerks", like Michael Moore, Arnold Diaz, etc... They have lawyers on retainer and camera crews.
A guiding principle is always "is it worth it?" You might be in the right legally and morally. If, like the gentleman photographing the ATM, you can even turn it to your advantage, yes, it may be worth it. But dummying up phony identification documents tends to run afoul of the law.
@OMG! Ponies!: i remember a kid in college that made perfect fake ids from his dorm. several of my buddies got one. the crappy thing is he was doing this before and after 9/11, but didn't get caught till after. needless to say they came after him with all of hell's fury and charged hime with over 100 federal counts which i can't remember the name. it also didn't help his case he wasn't exactly white. i don't know what happend to the poor sap, but i was left without a fake and that just chaps my back side.
@OMG! Ponies!: Here in Portland, they have no tri-pod laws in certain parts of the city. Also, taking photos of government buildings or locations within a block's distance of a government building is a no no as well. I'm part of a photography group on Flickr, and they have war stories of taking pictures of certain buildings. Essentially, most buildings have dome-cameras mounted all around them. If security catches you shooting the site, an officer will come out, take down your standard information, and have you delete all of the pictures. The deleting of the pictures I understand, but I wonder what becomes of the information they collected. Do I go on a no fly list, or what?
It sucks, because some of the best buildings in Portland are the city hall and the courthouse.
@OMG! Ponies!: I totally disagree. I think this is the same thing as presenting an official looking ID badge titled "Certified Breast Examiner" or "Sex Coach". Unless you are using the "fake" document to do something illegal, people can make and print whatever they want. Free country!!!
@jestermeister: As stated, you're free to test out your theory but I wouldn't do it.
I haven't memorized every law on the book in every jurisdiction but generally, presenting falsified identification documents to a police officer is a crime.
Not only that, but crimes that involve fraud and deceit (crimes of moral turpitude) are not ones you want on your record. Anytime you have to testify in court, you can be discredited by it.
Every attorney dreams of being able to cross with "This wouldn't be the first time you were caught lying, would it?"
Trying to make a point with this is not worth it. There are better ways to protect your privacy than with something that may very well be a form of fraud.
@OMG! Ponies!: "I haven't memorized every law on the book in every jurisdiction..."
And you say I disappoint you? Perhaps I should just find another commenter for whom I'll be Follower #666 (and hopefully whoever it is CAN also count).
@jestermeister: Also, those cards usually say they are issued by Spencers or something. They don't bear the seal, the dept name, and Washington DC address.
@OMG! Ponies!: Rules, schmules. Act like you belong there and people won't question you. This includes looking like you belong. So all you 'unique individuals' out there, get a haircut and go buy a pair of a chinos and a button up shirt. They'll open more doors than a fake ID or palmed 100.00 bills.
@OMG! Ponies!: If you'd like, I can get you a big mug with your name on it. Hold it out while standing on street corners, makes whoring for Followers a little bit easier.
At least, a big mug sure helped me bring up my Followers count.
@Goondocks: I don't think its faking a US document since this type of ID doesn't exist. You're basically saying "hey, have a look at this thing I have" and if that satisfies the cop, great! If not, screw em...
@jestermeister: The ID may be fictitious but DHS is not. That's still breaking the law.
Think of it this way: If I produce a fake police shield badge and start showing it to people claiming you have authority (even if you don't say you're the police), you'll get arrested.
@grizgza: Essentially, I hope you don't have kids. You wouldn't see them until they were collecting social security. Also, I would have to assume, if you were Muslim, or had a Muslim sounding name, you'd probably would be shot on sight. In short, it's a serious federal offense to impersonate any federal official. **Sigh** the saddest thing is I can barely recall the times before 9/11. I want to remember a time when entering a plane was as simple as walking through a metal detector.
I'm not sure what Gizmodo is trying to prove here, but if I was an editor, I would splatter **DO NOT TRY THIS SHIT** all over the place.
@I love my AfricanAmericanBerry: You're not impersonating a federal official or anyone in law enforcement. It's a falsified pass. It's almost certainly illegal, but it's not the same as impersonating law enforcement.
The fact that you managed to overlook the fact that this throws your whole speculative statement, regarding punishment, out the window.
And the official sounding legal bit at the bottom that ends in "so there" further indicates that it's sort of a joke.
06/06/09
you guys couldn't find another picture of Moss without a big banner in the back that read "Black"? i mean i know this administration is a milestone in history, but c'mon Giz.
06/06/09
I really hope you were joking.
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
A spokesman said they had plenty of money in their accounts last week but today they just don't know where the money has gone.
But not everybody's going begging.
Amnesty International, Greenpeace and the United Negro College Fund announced record earnings this week due mostly to large, anonymous donations.
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
06/06/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
You'll leave in pieces...
*rat tat tat tat tat!*
05/15/09
05/15/09
the link is 404'd... gone... not found.... taken down...
404'd....
hope he didnt get 404'd as well. He's been "disappeared".
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
There are better ways to make a point. Stay as far on the side of angels where the law is concerned and take diligent notes of the encounter. If you are unfairly stopped by an official - be it a police officer or a federal agent of some kind - document all identifying data. When the encounter is over, contact your local ACLU.
The best way to fight the system is from within. Use the tools of the establishment. It is long and wearying but it produces lasting results.
05/15/09
05/15/09
And in NYC, here are the rules to live by straight from NYC.gov.
[www.nyc.gov]
A guiding principle is always "is it worth it?" You might be in the right legally and morally. If, like the gentleman photographing the ATM, you can even turn it to your advantage, yes, it may be worth it. But dummying up phony identification documents tends to run afoul of the law.
Don't do it.
05/15/09
05/15/09
It sucks, because some of the best buildings in Portland are the city hall and the courthouse.
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
I haven't memorized every law on the book in every jurisdiction but generally, presenting falsified identification documents to a police officer is a crime.
Not only that, but crimes that involve fraud and deceit (crimes of moral turpitude) are not ones you want on your record. Anytime you have to testify in court, you can be discredited by it.
Every attorney dreams of being able to cross with "This wouldn't be the first time you were caught lying, would it?"
Trying to make a point with this is not worth it. There are better ways to protect your privacy than with something that may very well be a form of fraud.
05/15/09
I'm not sure about your state law or city ordinance, but here in L.A. government buildings the press is everywhere.
05/15/09
And you say I disappoint you? Perhaps I should just find another commenter for whom I'll be Follower #666 (and hopefully whoever it is CAN also count).
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
At least, a big mug sure helped me bring up my Followers count.
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
Think of it this way: If I produce a fake police shield badge and start showing it to people claiming you have authority (even if you don't say you're the police), you'll get arrested.
05/15/09
05/15/09
05/15/09
I'm not sure what Gizmodo is trying to prove here, but if I was an editor, I would splatter **DO NOT TRY THIS SHIT** all over the place.
05/15/09
05/15/09
The fact that you managed to overlook the fact that this throws your whole speculative statement, regarding punishment, out the window.
And the official sounding legal bit at the bottom that ends in "so there" further indicates that it's sort of a joke.
05/15/09
Totally made up nonsense is totally made up.
The penalties stated are baseless.
03/11/09