Comments on: Privacy International slams US and UK http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/ A daily round table on the tech industry with experts and callers from all over the globe. Join us as we pick apart the news and get to the meat of what\'s happening out there. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:30:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: MGU http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-510111 MGU Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:05:42 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-510111 An interesting article, Alec! Thankyou. Here are a few observations of my own. When nations are under threat or perceived threat, it is easy for governments to justify and persuade people that extaordinary measures are necessary. Extreme governments and leaders like this sort of situation because it makes it easier for them to apply measures that under ordinary circumstances would not be possible. The only differences between a Franco Spain, a Stalin Russia, a Castro Cuba or George W. America are in the manifestations of surveillance and repression. Americans are fortunate to be protected (to some extent) by an old (if outdated) constitution, but that has not stopped determined people and political parties from attempting to circumvent it while all the time paying it homage. Have you never asked yourself why America is permanantly "at war" – "war against communism", "facism", "nazziism", "crime", "drugs", "terror" or whatever? It is to give politicians the edge against those who are "soft" on whatever the latest bogeyman happens to be, and to increase the possibily of passing repressive measures, vilifying the "liberal" press and so on. The war against communism was good as long as it lasted. Russia was "a riddle wrapped up in an enigma", a powerful, shadowy presence in the world about which little else was known. Hence huge monies could be spent "defending America and its allies" and repressing dissent. The "War on terror" is great! No-one knows exactly who is being fought or where the enemy happens to be. There certainly is an enemy tho'. That can be seen in the embassy bombings, 9/11, the London bombings, the Madrid bombings and so on. Hence paranoia is fomented, extraordinary measures are imposed and tolerated, and dissent stiffled so far as possible. You and The Globe & Mail article claim that Canada has bowed to American pressure in reducing protection for Canadians. I don't think you are right. In my view, Harper and his "Conservatives" are very similar to Bush and his Republicans. They would enact similar measures to those of Bush and Co. if they could get away with it and will do so if they get a majority. Harpur's fixed date election act is simply a device to make it easier for him to remain in power should he face a hostile Commons or electorate. Last, I admit to paranoia about businesses collecting information about my buying habits, attitudes and such like. I know the rationale for such activity, but it seems to me to be an unwaranted and dangerous invasion of privacy. I shouldn't mind if it helps to bring me products or services I might like, but somehow the notion that it is being done without my consent alarms me. What are these fellows really up to, I ask myself. They are at least a frightening as my government. Dad An interesting article, Alec! Thankyou. Here are a few observations of my own. When nations are under threat or perceived threat, it is easy for governments to justify and persuade people that extaordinary measures are necessary. Extreme governments and leaders like this sort of situation because it makes it easier for them to apply measures that under ordinary circumstances would not be possible. The only differences between a Franco Spain, a Stalin Russia, a Castro Cuba or George W. America are in the manifestations of surveillance and repression. Americans are fortunate to be protected (to some extent) by an old (if outdated) constitution, but that has not stopped determined people and political parties from attempting to circumvent it while all the time paying it homage. Have you never asked yourself why America is permanantly “at war” – “war against communism”, “facism”, “nazziism”, “crime”, “drugs”, “terror” or whatever? It is to give politicians the edge against those who are “soft” on whatever the latest bogeyman happens to be, and to increase the possibily of passing repressive measures, vilifying the “liberal” press and so on. The war against communism was good as long as it lasted. Russia was “a riddle wrapped up in an enigma”, a powerful, shadowy presence in the world about which little else was known. Hence huge monies could be spent “defending America and its allies” and repressing dissent. The “War on terror” is great! No-one knows exactly who is being fought or where the enemy happens to be. There certainly is an enemy tho’. That can be seen in the embassy bombings, 9/11, the London bombings, the Madrid bombings and so on. Hence paranoia is fomented, extraordinary measures are imposed and tolerated, and dissent stiffled so far as possible.

You and The Globe & Mail article claim that Canada has bowed to American pressure in reducing protection for Canadians. I don’t think you are right. In my view, Harper and his “Conservatives” are very similar to Bush and his Republicans. They would enact similar measures to those of Bush and Co. if they could get away with it and will do so if they get a majority. Harpur’s fixed date election act is simply a device to make it easier for him to remain in power should he face a hostile Commons or electorate.

Last, I admit to paranoia about businesses collecting information about my buying habits, attitudes and such like. I know the rationale for such activity, but it seems to me to be an unwaranted and dangerous invasion of privacy. I shouldn’t mind if it helps to bring me products or services I might like, but somehow the notion that it is being done without my consent alarms me. What are these fellows really up to, I ask myself. They are at least a frightening as my government.

Dad

]]> By: Alec http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-509038 Alec Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:08:08 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-509038 eee.... sounds just like neighbours spying on neighbours for the Stasi in East Germany! eee…. sounds just like neighbours spying on neighbours for the Stasi in East Germany!

]]> By: Aydin Mirzaee http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-508990 Aydin Mirzaee Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:27:22 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2008/01/01/privacy-international-slams-us-and-uk/#comment-508990 you know, I wonder if the best surveillance of all would be through the use of social networks... if these agencies had unlimited and uncontrolled access to everyone's online profiles (their activities, their friends, google search history, etc...), wouldn't that be the best surveillance of all? I argue that would be more useful than thousands of cameras all over the place... Aydin. you know, I wonder if the best surveillance of all would be through the use of social networks… if these agencies had unlimited and uncontrolled access to everyone’s online profiles (their activities, their friends, google search history, etc…), wouldn’t that be the best surveillance of all? I argue that would be more useful than thousands of cameras all over the place…

Aydin.

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