British people: your country is starting to scare me.

I've been to Britain three times and I find it a beautiful place in terms of both nature and architecture, with a polite and seemingly warm-hearted citzenry. The UK is also an historical bastion of freedom...the Magna Charta paved the way for modern democracy, and troughout most of the middle ages it seems to have been a more freedom-minded society than most of the others in Europe.

But lately the news coming out of the UK is starting to really terrify me, in terms of "big brother." Hardly a day passes without some item in the news about new government survalience, new draconioan intrusions of the government into schools, government initatives to monitor the Internet, and so on. Of course, this is happening in the US and other countries too, but it seems to me that the worst news in terms of restriction of freedom is constantly coming from the UK.

Why is the UK taking such a sharp turn down the government monitoring/control road at this point in time? What happened?

reply to post by silent thunder


Yep its true, privacy is none existent these days. I live in a very small town with an awful lot of cameras quite recently dotted around. I probably couldn't get 50 yrds down the road without being on at least one of them. Its kinda spooky knowing I'm being watched every time I leave the house. maybe I'll be voting for Lib Dems from now on so we can get rid of a few of em.

This isn't just in Britain, it's everywhere. Canada, the US, and many other so called democracies. I hate that term; Democracy. It's utter crap, as is the fear rammed down these populations throats through the media. They use the media and fear to make people forget their liberties and eventually will take them away while they are too busy cowering at what can only be described as shadows; false enemies and threats.

They impose compulsory 'education' on their populations that only dumb them down and remove their abilities to think and act independently. Creating a society of dependent slackers who will need the government to parent them from cradle to grave. We are taught to fear the consequences of defying authority be it at school, work, or the government.

The only reason I know these things is because like many others, I am still trying to shake off the chains of public education and what it has done to my mind. I'm still trying to forget there is a mainstream media, but still watch it from tie to time because it has been such a staple in my and many others lives from day one.

I am however, convinced that we are on the verge of a new enlightenment age. It's coming on slowly, many are waking up but there are many still who do not wish to know the truth, or are so engrossed in the lie they call their lives that doing so may actually be detrimental to them(IMHO).

My opinion as an "observer" from the US..... The UK does not want to address the core of the problems because of "Political Correctness".

They are turning themselves into a police state instead of openly discussing the domestic troubles with the immigrant population, criminal gangs, and increasing aggressive religious fanatics that want to turn the UK into something resembling the Middle East.

See, You are a Racist or Bigot if you want to truly talk about the problems and a "sicko fanatic" if you want to defend yourselves... so, this is what you get, controlled PC speech, Big Brother Government, and a whole lot of victims.

Sure, the criminals might not kill you as often but you live as submissive victims to their aggression. Same with the religious zealots for now. They are loud, will drown you out, and in time become more powerful as the populous fears to address the issues at hand and settle for a police state.

This is not only my opinion but that of many of my peers. The UK is the "pilot program" for the rest of us. They have actually taught you to be submissive to aggressors, that nothing is worth your life, accept your situation as you can do nothing to change it, and actually defend this model to others as "enlightened" and "civilized". God forbid this ever happen to us.

[edit on 25-3-2009 by infolurker]

hmmm so it's like v for vendetta?

Originally posted by infolurker

God forbid this ever happen to us.

It is happening to you, apparently much faster than you realize.

[edit on 26-3-2009 by Albertarocks]

reply to post by silent thunder


The US is on the road to big brother as well. The scary thing is it isn't just the government who is able to watch your every move, corporations do so and collect data and file almost every citizens personal information away. Now that is scary, especially when these companies are hacked, or when they give up your information to the federal government. In the US most people don't even realize that these companies exist, and you have no say in what they do with most of your information.



[edit on 26-3-2009 by rapinbatsisaltherage]

The recent history of our country has shown us how much in thrall to the US we are, and it's really depressing. First there was Thatcher, who under the guise of privatisation enforced the neoliberal "opening up" of our economy... or, in fact, gutting it. Then Bliar, who continued the process, putting us in further debt through the PFI scams and, of course, dragging us into a war almost none of us wanted.

The water is getting hotter. Whether the frogs will overturn the cauldron is anybody's guess, although David Icke, bless him, is starting to get some traction and there are increasing numbers who question what we're being told. The internet, while we still have it, is a tremendously liberating thing.

As for "political correctness" - the real danger is not from the minorities, it's from our government, who use them as an excuse to tighten control. Yes, there are a vocal minority who kick up a fuss, but who is it who gives them power?

I do despair of my country - but the problem we face is the same as the one US citizens face - the advance of the NWO. And it's the same people driving it.

I've said in other posts I wish we could be more like France. That's a country that's had a revolution and the government there STILL isn't [roperly afraid of its people - because they think they represent them. But the people aren't afraid to take direct action, which is always great to see.

I get the feeling that we might have to become a bit more like France before it's too late - if it isn't already.

Originally posted by rich23
The recent history of our country has shown us how much in thrall to the US we are, and it's really depressing. First there was Thatcher, who under the guise of privatisation enforced the neoliberal "opening up" of our economy... or, in fact, gutting it. Then Bliar, who continued the process, putting us in further debt through the PFI scams and, of course, dragging us into a war almost none of us wanted.

Spot on, in my view. This is exactly how I see it too. Thatcher and Reagan's 'special relationship' really opened the door and allowed for a lot crap to follow through quite quickly.

I find it incredibly worrying that so few people see or acknowledge back door privatisation in the country. So often, when people are pointing out how this 'socialist' scheme or that 'socialist' scheme is ruining the country or doesn't work and so on, the real - often hidden - issue is that there's a massive element of PFI involvement. At least with 'front door' privatisation, there's some transparency. With PFI, there's little transparency and the only people that appear to benefit are the private companies themselves (and the MPs that tend to drift into those industries post-office).

I've said in other posts I wish we could be more like France. That's a country that's had a revolution and the government there STILL isn't [roperly afraid of its people - because they think they represent them. But the people aren't afraid to take direct action, which is always great to see.

Yes, I agree there too. It's funny how much flak France has garnered over the years regarding strikes and so on, but it's the fact that the British, like other countries, don't tend to demonstrate like the French that's going to be the ends of us all.

They're trying to push us into riots, I'm sure of it. And with the coming G20 protests and the Put People First protest this weekend in London, they could well get it, if an organised attack (by the police onthe protesters) was carried out. And i wouldn't put it past them.

We'll wait and see.

reply to post by Acidtastic

I've been hearing a lot about the possibility of riots in London but it seems to come mostly from the BBC who have coined the phrase 'summer of rage'.

Maybe best to stay home.
What's the word for those people who are paid to stir things up?

Anyway I suspect they will show up.

Originally posted by marsha law
reply to post by Acidtastic

 

What's the word for those people who are paid to stir things up?

The police?

Anyway I suspect they will show up.

Yes, I've heard they'd be attending.

Has anyone noticed that traffic wardens here in the UK are now called Civil Enforcement Officers? I heard this is because in the event of mass unrest they will be granted the same powers as regular peelers, because the regular peelers will be too busy tear gassing/beating rioters to deal with lower level crimes.

reply to post by Merriman Weir

agitators

thats it, agitators

Originally posted by marsha law
reply to post by Merriman Weir

 

agitators

thats it, agitators

Nah, I prefer my answer. I think it fits the reality of quite a lot of demonstrations in the past.

It scares most of us here too.

Democracy is not working very well at the moment - everyone is longing for the next general election - or a vote of no confidence in the current government. They constantly refuse to listen to the population and avoid referendums and anything else which would allow a challenge to the current government directions.

I have not spoken with one person who thinks that the current government is doing the right things for the country.

What is very scary, is that normal democratic means of protesting against current actions, or having issues challenged through the parliamentary process - just is not working. The privacy and freedom issues are hot topics.
One has to appreciate that in the uk there is still the mindset " we fought a war to stop this sort of control", so the ID card issue, restrictions on freedoms etc are not easily accepted. Hence why "fear of terrorism" is being used to try and bully some things through - especially with the youger generations. The older generations will tend to stubbornly refuse being controlled - simply "just not play"

It feels like parliament has been "bought", I am not saying it has, but it is what it feels like. I have heard MPs voice their own opinion and then vote the other way "because they have to"; e.g. regarding the closure of lots of post offices. One MP even helped protest against the closures, then voted for the closures ! need i say more....

One thing about the British (that is often not understood) - the general population is very patient and will take a lot, and seek to sort things out in proper and constructive ways.... but there comes a point - with no warning - where something goes past the point of being tolerated - you then really really do not want to be in their way...

Also note that the police and military here are largely of the same mindset as the rest of the population and fully part of the community.
They, and the general population will not tolerate or be coerced by violence etc - so violent action and revolution would not be permitted to succeed.
At the same time, our forces would not turn on the population just to control it, because they are very much part of that same community.

It is the politicians, the “power mad people”, and the money lenders who fear for their future who are the ones trying to control.

I just hope that democracy will prevail, and parliamentary changes take place before the population is pushed beyond what it will tolerate before “snapping”

Originally posted by sjb5000
The older generations will tend to stubbornly refuse being controlled - simply "just not play"

I've argued over this point for the last 10-15 years. Unlike the younger generations who've have no grown-up accustomed to being 'plugged-in' to networks and databases, who sign-up for this, that and the other of their own accord and are used to giving personal details to all and sundry, the older generation will always be concerned about strangers knowing their business.

However, the very nature of older generations and the most predictable thing about that particular demographic is that it's quite literally dying off. Government is bothered about this particular social strata of protesters messing-up any plans, not when they can play a waiting game they are destined to win. Give it another decade, maybe two tops and the bulk of people who really give a # or perhaps more importantly, know anything different, will be either dead or not in a position to do anything about it.

It feels like parliament has been "bought", I am not saying it has, but it is what it feels like.

I know what you're saying but I don't think it's a case of parliament even having to be bought. Politicians need somewhere to go post-office. It's very rare that any of them retire fully when leaving politics. So where do they go? Directorships and consultation jobs in industries they dealt with whilst in office - that's where.

reply to post by silent thunder

Hardly a day passes without some item in the news about new government survalience, new draconioan intrusions of the government into schools, government initatives to monitor the Internet, and so on.

I dont know what you mean all is well in England – I lived there for a while

Mobile Prison

Yep all is well

If your on a list to be targeted ou will have no privacy what so ever, and i mean no privacy. I have been monitored since 1992, and they have never let me have any private moments in my life. Mind control by the government is rife, whether you want to believe it or not, as i found out at school in 1992.

Pure scum run this society and all it takes, is for one nutcase to make up something about you, and you will have no freedom till the day you die.

I assume what i went through is what people where put through in terms of the stasi in east germany, where they where given absolutely no privacy what so ever.

There is no rule over the scum who get these weapons, and who puts you on a list should be in prison for life, for doing such things. But uk today is like living in a country of people with nothing but total apathy.

[edit on 3/26/2009 by andy1033]

reply to post by stooge247


Traffic wardens can never be granted the same powers as Police Officers.

However, there has been an increase in Community Police Officers, (plastic coppers), and there have always been Special Constables.
These people have received regular police training.

The British police have been used as agent provoceteurs in the past and have also regularly been used as a weapon of the state.

The Miners Strike. 1984.
www.youtube.com...

It has long been established that the police used undercover officers to provoke violence between the miners and the police to alienate the miners from the general public and to further Thatchers evil agenda.


The Battle Of The Beanfield. 1985.
www.youtube.com...

The police were used to brutally attack innocent travellers as part of the concerted drive to eliminate a lifestyle that was deemed unsavoury and threatening.


This country is indeed in changing times and great events seem to be afoot.
The actions we take today could have repercussions for generations and could indeed also influence events globally.


Edit to fix typo's.

[edit on 26/3/09 by Freeborn]