According to a London School of Economics' report, the government's proposed system is so complex it could itself become a target of terrorists. The report also warns that the scheme could be of "potential danger to the public interest" and the legal rights of individuals. It may even contravene the European Convention on Human Rights, the report's authors said.
There's nothing wrong with ID cards per se. But they should be a means to an end not an end in their own right. Without a written constitution and a bill of rights (not one that can be opt out whenever inconveninet), personal liberties will be under threat. ID cards are not and cannot be a way to fight terrorism. The whole idea is ludicruous and flies in the face of common sense. Terrorism are random acts of violence to destabilise and delegitimise a state. A plastic card cannot stop it, intelligence and international cooperation can.
It might be that in the running up to a general election Blair is getting all sorts of warnings on possible terrorist attacks and wants to be seen to put all possible tough anti-terrorist measures in place. And that is the problem, he needs to be seen to do something and the only thing a politician can be seen doing is legislation. Diplomacy is quiet, intelligence (good intelligence, not the one we've been subjected to by N.10) is even quieter. So our Blair is like a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage A lot of sound and fury Signifying nothing :)
21 March 2005
07 March 2005
Hard Times
When she was freed, Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist kidnapped in Iraq, was told to be careful because the US wanted her dead. She took no notice at that time until US soldiers shot at her. Nicola Calipari, the international operations chief of Italy's military intelligence service, was shot in the head as he tried to shield her. According to the Washington Post, the US had been notified that the car taking Ms. Sgrena to the airport was coming to the checkpoint. The driver said that they were travelling at 20-30mph, so why were they shot at? It also seems that the US soldiers waited 15 mins before calling for help. Why? According to Ms. Sgrena, the US don't like the payment of ransom and that was their way to stop it.
Instinctively I would be cautious and refrain from blaming soldiers for a premeditated attack. On the other hand, many other episodes come to mind: the tragedy of the Cermis of the 3rd February 1998, when the pilot of a fighter of the US Marine Corps performed reckless acrobatics and cut the carrying cable of the Cermis cableway, causing the fall of one of the two gondolas and the death of 20 persons. Although the American Court Martial acquitted the pilot and the navigator, the enquiry made by the Italian Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry clearly showed the responsibility of the crew members and their superiors.
Not to mention Ustica when, in 1980, the Alitalia passengers plane was shot down by ... err, we still don't really know. It seems that American or French naval aircraft launched an air-to-air missile at a Libyan fighter aircraft detected in the area. Since then, the 'allies' have done everything possible to cover up.
One should never underestimate incompetence, recklessness and ruthlessness, yet often there's also malice.
Hard times for Italy.
Instinctively I would be cautious and refrain from blaming soldiers for a premeditated attack. On the other hand, many other episodes come to mind: the tragedy of the Cermis of the 3rd February 1998, when the pilot of a fighter of the US Marine Corps performed reckless acrobatics and cut the carrying cable of the Cermis cableway, causing the fall of one of the two gondolas and the death of 20 persons. Although the American Court Martial acquitted the pilot and the navigator, the enquiry made by the Italian Parliamentary Commission of Enquiry clearly showed the responsibility of the crew members and their superiors.
Not to mention Ustica when, in 1980, the Alitalia passengers plane was shot down by ... err, we still don't really know. It seems that American or French naval aircraft launched an air-to-air missile at a Libyan fighter aircraft detected in the area. Since then, the 'allies' have done everything possible to cover up.
One should never underestimate incompetence, recklessness and ruthlessness, yet often there's also malice.
Hard times for Italy.
03 March 2005
POLITICAL HOTTIES LATEST
I was quite amused to see Peter's sending out a press release which on top had in big capital letters "POLITICAL HOTTIES LATEST".
Not to worry, he didn't mean himself, it was the unfortunate result of copying and pasting our exchange of press releases and e-mails.
Peter was trying to be helpful by pointing to me 'the man of my dreams', political hotty, Jeremy Purvis Lib Dem MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick & Lauderdale, as featured on the Guardian.
Although I disagree most vehemently with the Guardian when they say that "the Backbencher's ardour was cooled a little by the discovery that he has written a paper on fiscal federalism." Err, no! That's what makes him attractive! I can't help being fascinated by numbers, federalism and finance :)
This time I couldn't possible disagree with Peter's pick, Jeremy is young, good-looking and into numbers. A trip to Scotland is badly needed :)
Not to worry, he didn't mean himself, it was the unfortunate result of copying and pasting our exchange of press releases and e-mails.
Peter was trying to be helpful by pointing to me 'the man of my dreams', political hotty, Jeremy Purvis Lib Dem MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick & Lauderdale, as featured on the Guardian.
Although I disagree most vehemently with the Guardian when they say that "the Backbencher's ardour was cooled a little by the discovery that he has written a paper on fiscal federalism." Err, no! That's what makes him attractive! I can't help being fascinated by numbers, federalism and finance :)
This time I couldn't possible disagree with Peter's pick, Jeremy is young, good-looking and into numbers. A trip to Scotland is badly needed :)
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