I trust government and civil servants much more than I trust big business. Would we all be happy if the country was run by "faceless" employees of Tesco, News International or some shadowy American data handling company? These businesses have far too much power over our lives already.
Anyway, has this forum suddenly become an organ of the National Council for Civil Liberties?
|
"> I trust government and civil servants much more than I trust big business.<"
Perhaps this could be viewed as: Which would a I prefer, a broken arm or a broken leg? Well, neither if possible. In theory, we should be able to vote out a government, but to be replaced by what? At least big business plans for the future and it's fairly obvious what its intentions are, but it's saddening to see so many people accepting the advertising spin for business, the politicians and the media. Having said that, the British have generally received what they voted for. We might not like the result of our voting but at least we had some say, although most people blindly accept the media frenzy. Cameron or Brown, that's a difficult one, perhaps it's time to give the alcoholic liberal a chance? Oh, he's gone; never mind they'll be another one along in a minute ;-)
If we accept the politicos arguments for more surveillance to fight mad people (the bombings in London on 7th July 2005 were committed by mad people, not terrorists) then we must accept a greater intrusion into our lives from the authorities.
New Zealand looks nice, it's got empty winding roads and open spaces. I had the chance to emigrate there in 1987, should definitely have gone. Still, there's always retirement... sometime :(
|
|
|
|
Nick,
Obviously. But this is much more widespread that you might imagine. Its not just the Asil Nadir's of this world.
Your say a plumber. Your profitability as per your tax return falls outside accepted parameters. You go on inquiry and they start pulling records. The companies commenced are very accommodating.
Plus a random sample that do fall within parameters will be pulled also for a look see.
Now you can say well if they are evading tax then good and if not the evidence will clear them but:
Now I am going to chose my words carefully. A lot of very lowly paid workers have a lot of power to pull records that may if interest to someone else. You get the picture?
|
|
Don't worry Thommo, you're not paranoid. They really are out to get you! ;-)
|
|
They'll never get me Nick. I know how the system works.
|
Dont you believe it.
From your internet "useage signature" I know where you live, what what you do, your real name, your hobbies, your thinking, your politics,..................
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
With all your computer trickery in the world you'll never guess my real name.
|
|
|
|
They'll never get me Nick. I know how the system works.
That's what they want you to think!
|
|
Debates about liberty draw comments from the followers of two distinct camps. Those who believe that governments are benign bodies with our best interests at heart, and those of us who paid attention during history lessons at school.
|
Debates about liberty draw comments from the followers of two distinct camps. Those who believe that governments are benign bodies with our best interests at heart, and those of us who paid attention during history lessons at school.
Or between those who know governments have nothing better to do than try to make our lives a misery, except sometimes just before elections, and those who also know that however hard they try it takes them a long time to make much difference. Just remember though never to vote for anyone who boasts of 'strength' and promises radical change to save the nation. History lessons at school, if they still had them when you were at school may be a help here.
|
|
|
"> Debates about liberty draw comments from the followers of two distinct camps. Those who believe that governments are benign bodies with our best interests at heart, and those of us who paid attention during history lessons at school.<"
Most definitely. The majority of the world's problems can be traced back to the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Versailles, which is meaningless to most people who would prefer to think about Big Celebrity Sister goes Skating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't worry Thommo, you're not paranoid.
Reminds me..... There was a special panto edition of Cinderella for paranoid schizophrenics. Many were were injured in the stampede for the exit when someone shouted "behind you"!
On a motoring thread.....they got there by coach.
|
|
|
|
Stop talking in riddles and say what you mean!
If you accusing HMRC of bribing others to hand over confidential records please say so and confirm that you have passed this on to HMRC's internal investigation office. I can assure you that they will be delighted to get the information,you may even get a reward.
Using pointless inuendo with absolutely no information to back it is plainly daft.
|
Personally I am in 2 minds.
1. I like my liberty and any intrusion by the government is unwelcome in evryday life. And we all know that the ppolice and governement use laws in ways in which we are promised they never would be. For example Anti Terrorism laws to detain a protesting Labour Party member in the LP conference or a single proetstor in London.. but not against Abu Hansa for 6 years (jailed under some laws dating to 1860s!) or (those with placards advoating death to unbelievers.
2. BUT Centralised Government cannot run complex centralised IT systems (CSA etc)... so they make it inoperable.
But 3. following on from 2.. they'll persecute the innocent by mistook..
Far better to spend the time and money on Traffic Police so they can stop the wrong doers...
madf
|
|
|
hxj,
You know exactly what I'm saying and your trying disinformation again. I am not accusing HMRC of bribing anyone as you well know.
There is plenty of evidence that certain organizations target low paid functionaries who have access to valuable assets be they physical or informational either by inserting moles in to the organization or bribing employees.
The latest example that recently hit the papers involved the Post Office.
|
There is plenty of evidence that certain organizations target low paid functionaries who have access to valuable assets be they physical or informational either by inserting moles in to the organization or bribing employees.
You're talking in riddles mate. What 'certain organisations' - do you mean gov. departments? Spit it out man.
|
Sorry dude I've gone as far as I want to go on a public forum.
If we ever meet in person, which given your history of posts on this site I would like, I will give you chapter and verse but no I absolutely do not mean governmental organizations.
|
|
Well I saw saw a guy in Tescos the other day who looked like an MI6 spy, Vanquish outside, girl friend in a fur coat, he was handing used notes to a girl behind the dairy counter, I think he was trying to find out how much milk we buy, big brother if you ask me, none of Tony Blair's business, I pays me taxes!
|
One for the conspiracy theorists:
Some Eurocrat named that satellite for a reason !
Galileo was a victim of.... the Inquisition !
Nobody expects...
Our main weapon is surprise...
Our two main weapons are surprise...and satellites !!
Our three main weapons errr.. and computers !!!
|
From the OP "the Japanese government have already passed a law that from 2007 onwards you won't be able to buy a new mobile phone in Japan without a satellite navigation system."
Can anyone provide a link to stand this up? I've goolged without success. It seems such an odd law to pass.
|
No different to "after 2003 you won't be able to buy a new car without ABS" though is it?
|
|
Was specific legislation brought in 2003, or was it just that all cars began to be supplied this way because the market went that way?
|
Pass. Sounded like a good counter-argument though.
|
|
Search for "replace E911 japan" or "DokoNavi"
|
I?m not proud of it, but I admit to exceeding speed limits every time I go out in my car. I have done for the whole of my 42 years motoring. I do it because I like driving fast, and with the knowledge that by exercising a modicum of prudence the chance of me getting caught is slim. So far, I?ve only been caught once. Our local paper helps me by regularly publishing a list of the location of all the fixed speed cameras in the county. It?s been a bit like a game of cat and mouse, with me doing what I think I can reasonably get away with. But laws aren?t meant to be treated like that. The law is the law. Unfortunately, the only thing that will make me endeavour to stick rigidly to the limits is the introduction of technology that guarantees that I will get caught every single time I transgress. It looks like it might be on the way. If I do get caught I won?t whinge about it. It will be a case of ?It?s a fair cop? or ?You?ve got me bang to rights?. After all, I?ve had 42 years of regularly breaking the law, with only one paltry SP30 penalty. It?s about time I was made to behave!
As for Galileo being capable of recording my journeys, I have nothing to fear from this. My conscience is clear on this score.
--
L\'escargot.
|
L'escargot,
We are probably about the same age judging from the length of time you have been driving(unless you started under age!). My philosophy is the same as yours, don't break the eleventh commandment. In all honesty, can you really see the incompetent morons we have in charge now getting this sort of system up, running and competantly administered before we hang up our driving gloves? (hopefully at a very old age!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
