Counter-friggin-terror
The Federal Government's attitude is really, really getting to me... And not only can I myself doing absolutely nothing about it... But nor can any of the government's opponents. All governments have a hint of arrogance. But this Senate control has brought in a new kind of arrogance... An open, unashamed arrogance. Though perhaps it is not the Senate control itself that bothers me as much as what that control is actually being used for...
The Telstra sale went through... The so-called counter-terrorism laws will go through as well...
The nation is too preoccupied with terrorism. We are told that the threat is large and looming, and that we face something that has never been faced before. And we are told that, in order to combat the threat, police should be able to hold people without charge. Hold people without charge. Hold people without charge. That person will not be informed of what it is they have been arrested for. They will be unable to contact a legal representative. They will be unable to contact their family. Then, if after fourteen days, the police cannot find anything to officially charge the person with, they will say "off you go". Among other things, police will also be able to plant tracking devices on people they suspect are involved with terrorism.
'If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear', some might say. But I don't think this approach holds much water anymore. As much as the government would like to persuade us otherwise, people are prejudiced. A police badge does not suddenly take this away. My belief is that those with a Middle-Eastern appearance or some sort of look that distinguishes them from the majority will be the target of these new powers and will be discriminated against to an even greater extent than they are now.
Police in London shot dead a Brazilian man running for his train. A dark-skinned Brazilian man with a suitcase. That was apparently all the police needed to decide that a bunch of bullets in the brain would be the correct course of action. And it has since been revealed that the Metropolitan Police Commissioner did his best to twist the story. My intention here by using this example is not to target these police officers specifically. Rather, this absolutely atrocious incident stands as proof that crazy things happen in crazy times. And anyone who thinks that these new laws will be used to a minimum and only in cases where the authorities are sure, will be surprised.
Premier Beattie described the laws as "Draconian" (yet proceeded to approve them anyway), and the Prime Miniature described them as "unusual but necessary". What is the next step after these laws? A police state? No, don't roll your eyes. We are already witnessing the formation of a society in which dissent is quashed and in which anyone who openly speaks out in disagreement is labelled as "un-Australian", "anti-American", even a "terrorist". These people will also be the target of the new laws. Yes, peace activists with long hair. Cat Stevens.
Anthing can happen in a society that re-elects blatant liars as a result of their conclusion that, "Oh well! Don't all politicians lie?".
...Hmmmmmm, just going over this entry, I've realised that I shouldn't be surprised if I hear a firm knock on the door tonight...
P.S. I hope all this energy that's been put into dealing with terrorism (which, by the way, is not a new problem) has not resulted in neglect of solutions for the bird flu. From what I've learned, the bird flu is going to impact on more people than any terrorist attack ever will.
The Telstra sale went through... The so-called counter-terrorism laws will go through as well...
The nation is too preoccupied with terrorism. We are told that the threat is large and looming, and that we face something that has never been faced before. And we are told that, in order to combat the threat, police should be able to hold people without charge. Hold people without charge. Hold people without charge. That person will not be informed of what it is they have been arrested for. They will be unable to contact a legal representative. They will be unable to contact their family. Then, if after fourteen days, the police cannot find anything to officially charge the person with, they will say "off you go". Among other things, police will also be able to plant tracking devices on people they suspect are involved with terrorism.
'If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear', some might say. But I don't think this approach holds much water anymore. As much as the government would like to persuade us otherwise, people are prejudiced. A police badge does not suddenly take this away. My belief is that those with a Middle-Eastern appearance or some sort of look that distinguishes them from the majority will be the target of these new powers and will be discriminated against to an even greater extent than they are now.
Police in London shot dead a Brazilian man running for his train. A dark-skinned Brazilian man with a suitcase. That was apparently all the police needed to decide that a bunch of bullets in the brain would be the correct course of action. And it has since been revealed that the Metropolitan Police Commissioner did his best to twist the story. My intention here by using this example is not to target these police officers specifically. Rather, this absolutely atrocious incident stands as proof that crazy things happen in crazy times. And anyone who thinks that these new laws will be used to a minimum and only in cases where the authorities are sure, will be surprised.
Premier Beattie described the laws as "Draconian" (yet proceeded to approve them anyway), and the Prime Miniature described them as "unusual but necessary". What is the next step after these laws? A police state? No, don't roll your eyes. We are already witnessing the formation of a society in which dissent is quashed and in which anyone who openly speaks out in disagreement is labelled as "un-Australian", "anti-American", even a "terrorist". These people will also be the target of the new laws. Yes, peace activists with long hair. Cat Stevens.
Anthing can happen in a society that re-elects blatant liars as a result of their conclusion that, "Oh well! Don't all politicians lie?".
...Hmmmmmm, just going over this entry, I've realised that I shouldn't be surprised if I hear a firm knock on the door tonight...
P.S. I hope all this energy that's been put into dealing with terrorism (which, by the way, is not a new problem) has not resulted in neglect of solutions for the bird flu. From what I've learned, the bird flu is going to impact on more people than any terrorist attack ever will.
posted by Anthony Stoddart @ 6:39 AM
2 Comments:
At Sat Oct 01, 06:08:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
Here Here Anthony!
Why it was only the other day I was stopped by four armed police men and women because of unusual car thefts- we all know I do not intend on failing learners anytime soon....i am a target as much as you are my black skined brother. Thank-you for having the balls to write what is a very forthright and eye-opening article.
ALways a treat.
Senator Keeley and his men
At Mon Oct 03, 10:10:00 AM,
Anonymous said…
I agree it's very disappointing that the senate isn't able to perform its function.
It's disappointing there isn't a more careful and balanced education campaign about terrorism to combat it in Australia. I remember seeing a compelling documentary (probably on ABC) the thrust of which was that Aussie muslims, especially moderate Aussie muslims are the main source of intelligence about radical plans by ultra hardline muslims in Australia. And these sources are precisely the people being alienated by the general 'be alert not alarmed' environment that all too often seems to be interpreted as 'be paranoid about men with beards and women wearing head scarves'. Why does it get interpreted this way in the first place? There must be a lack of confidence building measures in place between mainstream and muslim Australia.
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