*Zaccheus* on 14/11/2006 at 13:25
Geez, if posting twice in a row is such a big deal, of course I can edit my posts in future.
But Paranoia ? Do you think there is no danger at all? Or are just reverting to insults for the sake of it?
:rolleyes:
Chimpy Chompy on 14/11/2006 at 13:33
Not that I'm a big fan of what Labour's been up to lately (legislative reform bill for example raises some worrying questions). But there's a bit too much reliance on Slippery Slope stuff here, I think.
Paz on 14/11/2006 at 13:42
I think a law which has touched a shade over 1,000 arrests in six years and resulted in 158 charges is unlikely to suddenly explode into an orgy of arbitrary midnight abductions in armoured vans. What I strongly suspect is that a great many of our laws are similarly worrying when you look at them starkly, but are used in reality in a rather less concerning manner. Do I like the Terrorism Act of 2000? No, not much. Could it be abused? Yeah, probably. All our laws could be abused if our police and government decide to GO ROGUE - show me a country where this isn't the case.
Essentially, my stance remains the same. I think you have valid worries but overplay them, thereby alienating a number of people who would otherwise probably sympathise or entirely agree with you. This completely undermines any progress you might make in ... whatever it is you're trying to achieve. It's the flipside of those US survivalists who reckon they still need guns in case the democratic government suddenly turns UGLY or Euro-sceptics who isolate and cherry-pick segments of policy to "prove" that Europe is practically about to absorb the UK into a gelatinous mass, or something.
IF the sort of dystopian effect some of the people in this thread fear starts to really take off, there would be a public reaction. OH BUT DON'T WAIT IT'LL BE TOO LATE OH GOD - ok then, what should we be doing? Presumably we can't just wait for an election and vote for a party with a history of even more authoritarian overtones? Blow up the houses of parliament? Demonstrate in the streets? I'm up for some direct action, but it needs to be focused and well directed.
*Zaccheus* on 14/11/2006 at 13:43
Quote Posted by Chimpy Chompy
Not that I'm a big fan of what Labour's been up to lately (legislative reform bill for example raises some worrying questions). But there's a bit too much reliance on Slippery Slope stuff here, I think.
I really don't know what to say to that.
It is, legally, not permitted to own a baseball bat or a canister of petrol or a map of london (unless
you can prove that you have a good reason for owning them, which in effect is a reversal of the burden of proof).
I've linked to the actual law. Please explain where I have misunderstood the legislation. Whether it was due to incompetence or malice, the government passed a law which make everyone a criminal.
Quote Posted by Paz
I think you have valid worries but overplay them, thereby alienating a number of people who would otherwise probably sympathise or entirely agree with you.
Where have I 'overplayed' them?
Matthew on 14/11/2006 at 14:12
Er, quite. 'A person commits an offence if he possesses an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession is for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism'. In what way is the baseball bat mentioned in your example automatically covered here?
Editing to point out again the lollertude of all of this when Northern Ireland has had similar stuff for quite some time.
Chimpy Chompy on 14/11/2006 at 14:38
Quote Posted by *Zaccheus*
It is, legally, not permitted to own a baseball bat or a canister of petrol or a map of london (unless
you can prove that you have a good reason for owning them, which in effect is a reversal of the burden of proof).
I happen to have all three back home. Presumably in 10 years time I'll have to live in fear of BIG BLAIR'S STORMTROOPERS?
Paz on 14/11/2006 at 14:48
Big Gordon's, surely?
Unless .. *gasp* ... Tony is about to declare himself dictator-for-life.
Arrest Update: went to town wearing moderately provocative anti-war/terror t-shirt, bought some M&S chicken, bantered with checkout girl; no arrest as yet. Feelin' pretty secure :cool:
Fingernail on 14/11/2006 at 14:50
Pride comes before a fall, Paz.
Paz on 14/11/2006 at 14:54
Nonsense.
Hang on, there goes the doorbell. brb
PigLick on 14/11/2006 at 15:16
what the hell is "M&S chicken"?
