Article copy
Emergences at the BBC:Phone calls database considered.That will quickly make one big fat database, nearly impossible to manage but that fine example of government setting audacious efficiency goals is beyond the point.
Ministers are to consider plans for a database of electronic information holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK, it has emerged.
Worry ye not though, for "civil liberty groups and some political figures" are on the ball...
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne called the proposals "an Orwellian step too far".Good, essential points made and taken. Too bad you didn't stop your clapper right there Mr Huhne. Because this...
He said ministers had "taken leave of their senses if they think that this proposal is compatible with a free country and a free people".
"Given the appalling track record of data loss, this state is simply not to be trusted with such private information," said Mr Huhne.... Is frankly a stupid thing to say. Even if this state was it shouldn't be, and that's the whole point Mr Huhne. I would actually argue that this is the only positive aspect of this sad story: the fact that real life Big Brothers are usually not very good at Big Brothering. Hell hath no fury like an efficient functionnaire.
The loony Left1 in the USA blows a lot of hot air over so-called "illegal" wiretapping, but they couldn't recognize a police state if it bit them in the bottom. Let's have a quick comparative study:
In the USA, they might eavesdrop on Ahmed when he happens to call Ali in Abroadistan, and Ali happens to be quite famous among the Intelligence community for his skills at planning mass murder in the name of Allah.
In Europe2, Britain in this case, they plan to record Rupert's call to Mommy in Somewhereshire on Mother's Day and Linda's email to Rupert's younger brother John that reads: "I think he suspects something. Do come in tomorrow, he's going to visit Mother. XOXO Linda". Plus just about everybody else's including, thanks to sheer luck and probability curves, a few potential mass murder plotters if they happen to be stupid enough to use their real names and plot through their own fixed phones3.
For all its ills, at least the Bush Administration goes after the enemies of the People. For every State monkey in Europe however, the enemy is the People.
Comments
Comments thread (3)
3507 - Ben USN (Ret)
Ben USN (Ret) Washington State, USA
Sheesh! I hope there is an outcry over this idiotic Orwellian tactic! Why is it so difficult (or virtually impossible) for leftists to understand that liberty is a good thing?
It''s a shame that so many have forgotten the tremendous sacrifices that wee made to ensure liberty. Unfortunately, mere democracy doesn't work without liberty, and therein lies the rub.
3508 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
Want something to lose sleep over? Check www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd this out. Buried in it is the authority for government agencies to strip people of the right to use the property they own. And to strip farmers of their ability to cultivate crops. And to strip small industry of their ability produce. It is a lot of reading, but give it a sweep. And look into the primary backers of this shit and their self proclaimed goals and ambitions.
2nd Amendment. It ain't just words, babe!
3521 - Melissa In Texas
Melissa In Texas
That is going to be one heck of a database!
They are more likely to catch teens plotting a night of partying than a terrorist!
Hopefully, the Left in this country will not prevail in their push to make the US become an even larger nanny state!