Fun in New Hampshire - no aerial photography

From AGBeat:

Aerial photography ban proposed for all but government
Neal Kurk R-NH, member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 1986 has recently sponsored HB 619-FN to make aerial photography illegal in their state, which many are considering a look into the future. States are currently struggling with how to deal with advances in drone technology, particularly mini-drones, fueled by fears not only that the federal government is using drones on U.S. soil, but are using them abroad not only to take out terrorists, but suspected terrorists, even if American.

More:

New Hampshire�s proposed aerial photography ban states the following:

A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if such person knowingly creates or assists in creating an image of the exterior of any residential dwelling in this state where such image is created by or with the assistance of a satellite, drone, or any device that is not supported by the ground. This prohibition shall not apply where the image does not reveal forms identifiable as human beings or man-made objects. In this paragraph, �dwelling� means any building, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more individuals.

As one of the 150+ commenters said:

Amateur-hour and embarrassing. The fact that people like this get elected explains why our country is in such dire straits. Local and state governments don't control airspace. That's the domain of the federal government and ONLY the federal government.

Everything about this reeks of ignorance. "Human beings or man-made objects"? So you can only take an aerial picture if there's not a single person, building, boat, road, power line, or trash can in it? How about man-made lakes? Not to mention that this is totally arbitrary. Why are aerial pictures prohibited but not ground pictures? Is it based on some theory that people can hide behind trees or other foliage? What about those in barren areas who are just as visible from the ground as from the air?

Mr. Kurk has had a nice long run in politics. Time for him to step down and go home and spoil his grandchildren. A tip of the hat to Mark Frauenfelder at BoingBoing for the link.