Stealing Freedom

[bogeyman]

All this because these imbeciles don't want their stupidity to be held up to proper scrutiny.

I fear it goes even deeper than that.

They're not worried about scrutiny now that the media is largely controlled by government-friendly interests.

Maniacs like Bush (and the corporate powers behind his throne) now have a free hand to do what they will, largely, without serious public accountability or scrutiny.

Mister Murdoch is firmly on side, I'm sure - so we can expect the 'correct messages' to be delivered to the Sun-reading folks.

[sasguru]

I fear it goes even deeper than that.

They're not worried about scrutiny now that the media is largely controlled by government-friendly interests.

Maniacs like Bush (and the corporate powers behind his throne) now have a free hand to do what they will, largely, without serious public accountability or scrutiny.

Mister Murdoch is firmly on side, I'm sure - so we can expect the 'correct messages' to be delivered to the Sun-reading folks.

Well not really. As Milan has posted on another thread - this from a Murdoch rag:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...987493,00.html

[expat]

Well perhaps not. She was utterly barking by the time she left office, but...

She didn't feel the need to erect a set of big gates blocking off a public thoroughfair just to guard herself and her privillegd minions against the enraged plebiscite.

Excuse me, but since there were no gates at the start of her government, but there were at the end, that means exactly the opposite: that she did feel the need to erect a set of big gates blocking off a public thoroughfare.

[bogeyman]

Well not really. As Milan has posted on another thread - this from a Murdoch rag:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...987493,00.html

But Murdochs style is exactly to play up to the high-brow(?!) Times readers (appearing all reasonable) while at the same time inflaming the natural reactionary instincts of the lower orders.

[Denny]

Regarding police priorities, I would say 'instead of' rather than 'in addition to'.

I wouldn't. I think Lord Falconer was right last night when he said that the examples of police prioritising policitical correctness over law enforcement was exaggerated. The overwhelming allocation of police resourcing is still directed at law enforcement activities, even if their efforts do seem at times to be undermined by environmental and social factors.

Nevertheless the examples given by Hitchens were worth highlighting because they do mark a worrying trend of police diverting their attention away from law enforcement or acting too zealously toward 'thought policing.'

Do you think those big televisions you see in pubs showing the football or endless pop videos are really 'Telescreens' with the authorities spying on the punters to check their drinking habits? Soon will we hear a big booming voiceover when someone drinks more than the government's recommended daily unit allocation or someone lights up accidentally in a non-smoking designated area?

[bogeyman]

Excuse me, but since there were no gates at the start of her government, but there were at the end, that means exactly the opposite: that she did feel the need to erect a set of big gates blocking off a public thoroughfare.

Yes. Fair cop Expat - it was Thatcher that put the gates there in 1989.

[Central-Scrutiniser]

In the history of Britain there have been many periods when liberty was threatened. The immediate threat is a government with a lust for control, with little respect for liberty or for the House of Commons, but enjoying the opportunity of using new technologies for social control. The British are certainly less free than we were in 1997 or 2001. The fightback will be laborious and difficult, but there is a new mood. We do not want to reach 1984 25 years behind schedule in 2009.

Enemy Propaganda and a grevious Thought Crime.

The only fight is the War on Eurasia.

War is Peace.

[Mailman]

I fear it goes even deeper than that.

They're not worried about scrutiny now that the media is largely controlled by government-friendly interests.

What bloody media are you talking about? Id hardly call Englands media "government friendly". BWAHAHAHHAAHA

Maniacs like Bush (and the corporate powers behind his throne) now have a free hand to do what they will, largely, without serious public accountability or scrutiny.

Haha...ok...here you see you are showing how much of a moron you are IF Bush and co really did have a free hand to do what ever they wanted I doubt they would have had as much trouble getting through things like the patriot act and ID cards!

Bah, why let actual facts get in the way of a good hate'n eh boofhead

Mailman

[DaveB]

though a bit of power soon changes things

And therin lies the key. Doesnt matter who you are, or how good your intentions are, after you have had power you wont want to give it up. When was the last time a British politician of any persuasion stood down because they thought someone else would be better at the job? Or because they felt they were wrong and a differant way of doing things would be better or for any other reason other than being voted out or forced out. Resigning becasue you know damn well your going to get the boot anyway is not an excuse.

Come to think of it why restrict it to British politicians.

It doesnt matter who gets into power, once they are in they are in for themselves, not for any greater good. Some people might be lucky enough to benefit from their policies, others will suffer. Which side you happen to be is entirely a matter of chance.

[sasguru]

But Murdochs style is exactly to play up to the high-brow(?!) Times readers (appearing all reasonable) while at the same time inflaming the natural reactionary instincts of the lower orders.

Hmmm. Ok fair point. But the real problem is not really with this government, as short of a coup d'etat, they will be removed in the next election. The Murdoch press seems to have decided on Cameron already. The real problem is whether the Tories will be any better and whether broader society really cares what's going on.