Kolya on 27/5/2007 at 12:34
Yeah, I didn't write that and the Luxemburg saying for nostalgia. There's something to be learned from that when privacy and freedom are being cut to pieces "for our own safety" in Russia, Germany, USA.
Martin Karne on 27/5/2007 at 19:42
I've always wondered what job did got the ex-spies in the former USSR and east Germany.
After all to spy someone at a civilian level you don't need a specific title or skill, anyone can eavesdrop on neighbors and become nosy about things that you do.
My guess is probably a lower job, or anything they could get a hold.
demagogue on 27/5/2007 at 19:47
Or in Putin's case, president. :erg:
*Zaccheus* on 27/5/2007 at 19:55
Quote Posted by shadows
It's a real eye opener isn't it? a entire society under surveillance, put one foot wrong and you could be under suspicion or worse.
Blair seems to think civil liberties are not that important:
(
http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=5081965)
:erg:
Kolya on 27/5/2007 at 23:37
Quote Posted by Martin Karne
I've always wondered what job did got the ex-spies in the former USSR and east Germany.
After all to spy someone at a civilian level you don't need a specific title or skill, anyone can eavesdrop on neighbors and become nosy about things that you do.
My guess is probably a lower job, or anything they could get a hold.
While they were spying most did normal jobs, many spied for personal benefits, often simple things like being able to study, get a good job, etc. After the collapse the upper chain of command was weeded out. Some became pensioners, some started a new career in a different business. For some that was politics.
The tolerance for people who have worked for the Stasi is surprisingly high in the east. It's just so common that people don't really want to know who did what anymore. The tolerance for foreigners on the other hand is quite low in parts of the former DDR. I think it's a consequence of disorientation, loss of social security and having to work much harder to keep up. Some people still can't cope with the changes, and they raise kids too.
Kolya on 28/5/2007 at 13:57
Yes, it looks like someone told our interior minister that police methods aren't bound to evidence or justified suspicion as judiciary decisions are. So everything now is a preventive police measure...
While Germany hasn't seen any substantial terrorist attacks since 09/11, politicians still managed to use this argument for a flurry of (much more real) attacks on civil liberty.
Sound familiar?
*Zaccheus* on 28/5/2007 at 16:50
I don't know what is going on in Europe right now, it's as if certain members of governments have lost touch with reality.
The (
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1267646,00.html) latest idea coming out of england is that the police should be able to stop and question anyone on the street even if there is no suspicion.
Kolya on 28/5/2007 at 17:01
They make up for their powerlessness against corporate politics.
