government snooping

[emmie]

I wonder why the government think this is necessary or indeed remotely right.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17580906

[emmie]

no one think this is hypocritical seeing as how they were banging on about privacy laws, and democracy, all the while putting this in place.

[EDDIE51]

It is the usual excuse ''needed to stop serious crime and terrorism'' but once they have the power there will be no way to check why or if it is being used.
At the moment they need the permission of a High court judge to do it and permission can only be granted inexceptional cases. Once they get the power to tap phones etc without having to ask anyone it is certain to be abused.

[emmie]

i can't believe they could possibly get away with it,

[brenda]

I am going to get 2 pigeons in case they do !!!!!

[jake-the-peg]

I think this is the point where someone like Geezer appears and says "Nothing to hide, nothing to fear"

[eyethenkyew]

I would say that the government is acting in the best interests of the nation and anyone who can't see that is perhaps just a tad naive?

[jake-the-peg]

Yes but that argument could be used to justify any sort of oppressive government couldn't it?

I'm pretty sure the military leaders who took control of Egypt "in the interim" over a year ago said that!

[sunny-dave]

Interestingly, the media flak seems to be coming from unexpected areas ...

... I suspect that us godless, commie, pro-euro scum (© Daily Mail ad nauseam) have always assumed that GCHQ can/does see everything we do and have thus acted accordingly. It's the godfearing, conservative, little-britain brigade who seem to be suddenly outraged that someone might be listening ... :+)

[jake-the-peg]

In fact I think you're the one being niaive

Terrorism is currently a relatively controlled threat to most of us

in 2010 318 members of the public were killed in the UK in industrial accidents

How many were killed by terrorism?

How about 2009? 2008?

Ah yes you say but the risk!

Where do you get your idea of risk from? Probably the media - who are often briefed by the Government - who want these powers.

I don't say that they do not need these powers - I say they have not made the case for needing them.

And anybody who just says it's to stop terrorism end of story - Well I think that's a rather niaive position

[eyethenkyew]

No, friend, I speak as someone who used to work with the highest security clearance.

[jake-the-peg]

I also find it rather strange that the people supporting these measures seem to be the same people who don't trust politicians as far as they could spit and think there all a worthless buch of low lifes.

And yet the moment they say the word "terrorism" you'll run for your little holes and say "Oh yes yes here take whatever powers you need - save us from the nasty muslems"

They've got you right where they want you haven't they? right on the end of a little piece of string!

[naomi24]

Jake, //in 2010 318 members of the public were killed in the UK in industrial accidents

How many were killed by terrorism? //

This is the second time I've seen that from you within a very short period - and again I'll say it's just about the most stupid analogy I've ever seen you post.

[sunny-dave]

I think you are all missing the point .... "anyone who assumes that the 'government' aren't doing this already is living in a fantasy world"

Communication, using anything more sophisticated than two baked-bean cans and a piece of string, can and will be intercepted if automated systems (or humans) think it useful/necessary.

[EDDIE51]

I agree with sunny dave but once this is passed if/when they get caught there will be nothing anyone can do or say . At the moment they at least have to keep it secret.

[d9f1c7]

I don't know who this geezer that I keep getting compared with but if he's a "nothing to hide nothing to fear" merchant then he's nothing like me. The state should never have this kind of power. I'd rather have terrorism than this.

[naomi24]

D9, if it's any consolation, I don't think you're like him.

[d9f1c7]

Well thanks Naomi, I was wondering if it was some sort of strange AB initiation ritual.

[woofgang]

Golly some poor folk are going to have to wade through a SEA of boring carp and lousy forwarded jokes aren't they?