Oldtime DUer needs help in winning a blog contest

Hello fellow DUers,

I know it's been a while since I've last posted, but I've been busy running a blog that has become quite popular. For those of you who remember me, I was arrested for photographing Miami police against their wishes in Feb. 2007. I posted about it here http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x272761">exactly three years ago today.

I was charged with several misdemeanors, went to trial and was acquitted of everything except resisting arrest without violence because I had a biased judge who allowed improper evidence.

I appealed the conviction pro se (meaning I defended myself) and http://carlosmiller.com/2009/12/20/i-won-my-appeal/">was victorious.

In the mean time, the blog I launched after my arrest, Photography is Not a Crime, where I document ongoing abuses against photographers and other First Amendment abuses, became very popular on a national level.

It is currently in the running for Best Overall Blog in a contest sponsored by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

I am currently in third place out of more than 200 blogs. I need you to vote for my blog to ensure I win this thing.

The only blogs ahead of me are a blog about beer and a blog about football, two of my passions but nothing as significant as First Amendment issues.

To vote, you need to register on the Sun-Sentinel, which takes a couple of minutes. However, once you register, you can vote at least once a day in each category.

This is what I ask of you:

1. Create a free Sun-Sentinel account (requires valid e-mail address). Click https://secure.sun-sentinel.com/services/site/registration/show-createprofile.register">here to do that.

2. Click http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/community/ssblogcontest/voting/best.php">here to vote for Photography is Not a Crime as the Best Overall Blog in South Florida. You can type in "Photography is Not a Crime" into the search box on the screen or just find it in the drag down menu. Then click on "Vote For best overall."

3. Click http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/community/ssblogcontest/voting/index.php">here and scroll down to the categories of "Art/DIY," "Photography" and "Politics" and click the "vote" link under Photography is Not a Crime (this step is not as important as step 2 if you're in a rush, but it helps).

Remember, you can vote in each category at least once a day until 10 a.m. (eastern time) on March 1st.

I would greatly appreciate your help. I've put a lot of hours into this blog, so winning a stupid little contest like this really means a lot to me.

But seriously, folks -- I'll happily vote for yours. From what you describe, it's the one I would definitely vote for anyway.

And kudos to you for bringing this problem to the attention of others!

It's so GREAT to here about your outcome.

You should post the story in this thread because there are a LOT of much newer DUers these days.

:hi:

:applause:

:applause:

And I will once I file my civil suit

:toast: done and K & R and good seeing you again! :hi:

We've already moved it from third place to second place in only 30 minutes!

Feel the power!

Call your mother. :rofl:

Wanderers always return home, after all

Of course I'll vote for you. I've been really impressed with what I've seen of your blog, and I believe you're doing all of us photographers a great service. :thumbsup:

We miss you in the Photo Group.

I donated to DU last night, so my donor privileges should soon be reinstated allowing me to post in the Photo Group once again.

Glad to help.


:thumbsup: :hi: :thumbsup:

Even search my bookmarks hoping I bookmarked your website. Good to see your case went well.

I have a Sun-Sentinel account, and will go vote for you now.

Good luck, and come back to DU now and then.

:)

And all I can think is, the assumption that the PD need a reason to arrest you -- which could then generate a resisting arrest charge -- is no longer the assumption in this country. If a the police are present, the new assumption is that our bodies belong to them until they are finished with them. It's a small shift, it happened quietly and it's an insidious one.

:kick:

Some of us go back a long way!!

And you'll have my vote.

--imm

What was the name of that place again? I was by there the other night in a place called Pirate Cove or something. It might have even been the same place.

Remember, you can vote everyday in this contest.

And you bought me a beer at some place on Las Olas. Don't remember the name.

Uh-huh, I'm going to vote now. :yoiks:

--imm

¿Como estas amigo? :hi:

Can't believe it's three years ago already

I will always remember that photo I took of you during the DC protest. That was such a great turnout.

:kick:

Hey, man! :hi: I'm on it.

will signup and vote you up asap.

:)

I read an article in Digital Pro Photo about model/property releases. Seems Florida has some interesting restrictions on photography.

Photographers are also likely to encounter a variety of restrictions on the state level. Florida, for instance, has a law that prohibits the sale of photographs of any “area, building, or structure the entry of admittance to which is subject to an admission charge or fee, or of any real or personal property located therein.” The same law prohibits the use of any such photographs “in connection with the sale or advertising of any other product, property or service, without the express written or oral consent of the owner or operator of the area, building, structure, or other property so depicted.” While this law does include an exclusion for publication of photos in newspapers, magazines and other media “as part of any bona fide news report or presentation having a current and legitimate public interest,” it’s not difficult to imagine who the single largest benefactor of the law is.


http://www.digitalphotopro.com/business/release-me.html

Anywho, good luck with the BoB award!

Good luck!

I'm in first place right now, which I owe to DU!

But we need to keep voting everyday to maintain this lead because the second and third place bloggers are breathing down my neck.

We need to keep pounding away to get it back in the first spot.

:D

An abhorrent abuse of power that's going to get some much needed attention.:yourock::patriot:

:kick:

:yourock:

And good luck in the contest! :hi:

... and happy to do it!

Best of luck!!! :patriot:

:kick:

:kick:

I'm in the second place and if we all vote, I can move into first place!

Here's how you do it:

1. Create a free Sun-Sentinel account (requires valid e-mail address). Click here to do that.

2. Click here to vote for Photography is Not a Crime as the Best Overall Blog in South Florida. You can type in "Photography is Not a Crime" into the search box on the screen or just find it in the drag down menu. Then click on "Vote For best overall."

3. Click here and scroll down to the categories of "Art/DIY," "Photography" and "Politics" and click the "vote" link under Photography is Not a Crime (this step is not as important as step 2 if you're in a rush, but it helps).

Remember, you can vote in each category at least once a day until 10 a.m. (eastern time) on March 1st.

I would greatly appreciate your help. I've put a lot of hours into this blog, so winning a stupid little contest like this really means a lot to me.