So, our less than popular Government has somehow managed to devise another plan to buckle people's trust. The audacity, after the blunders of BskyB, with the News of the World's phone/email hacking scandal, and ongoing Leveson Enquiry, to try to implement this. By no means is a proposal for legitimate, warrantless rights to the details of web browsers, voice and typed chat conversations, emails, phone calls or text messages, gelling very well with the general population. And rightly so, since the average top secret endeavour of the average human being is probably Hentai at worst. The Government, however, seemingly condemns us all to some form of terrorism. Subsequently, it wants to create a society reminiscent of Orwell's 1984, where security services can simply waltz in on your saucy, intimate, private conversations or habits, and there's not a damn thing you can do to stop them.
When I was first shown an article about this, it was 01/04 - April Fool's day. I dismissed it respectively. But as the days have gone on, it seems this is genuine. I can relate to and agree with the criticism, not just from ordinary citizens (it's plain rude for anyone, especially those innocent, let's be realistic there), but also the publicised risks. Risks of this implement as something which can be replicated or usurped for negative applications - such as a mass hacking spree, for one. After all, if the likes of the Playstation Network can be infiltrated by one adolescent, through firewalls and virtual-armies, what chance would this new system have? That aside, it voids 'democracy'. Russia, Korea, and China spring to mind.
As I said, and don't get me wrong, I understand the objections. Personally, however, I'm not losing sleep for a few reasons. The Labour Party attempted something similar a few years ago, it bombed because of lack of support and civil rights arguments. This attempt is rallying similar objections against a Government which is already unpopular with the majority. They cannot afford to lose anymore face as it is, particularly with the local elections around the corner. Another matter is, the plans are yet to be enforced, (officially... Call me a cynic if you want, but it's common knowledge that phone operators are required by law to steal some of your modesty for security purposes... Just throwing that out there). Regardless of all this, even if it were to be enforced, there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. I can bitch about it so much that, in theory, there's a chance that Big Brother will become so sick and tired of recording my rants, they would no longer care. Sadly, this would probably fail. Realistically though, I repeat, I'd be powerless to change it. So, what do we do? Simple - if you've nothing to hide, why are you worried? If you're stuck in the country, you're stuck under the laws. There are a lot of these enforced already which you more than likely are, or would be, unhappy about if you knew. And if not, ignorance is bliss, in those cases and with this matter of surveillance. In short - I'll just get on with it. I have nothing to hide, and anything questionable, I'm quite prepared to answer for. As for if my details etc are stolen... Well, then I'm fucked, but again, I can't afford to lose sleep over it.
As far as intimate conversational material goes, typed or spoken write a letter, maybe, or save it face to face. Or, if your phone line doesn't plague you with extortionate charges, use it. My feelings toward this lie in the knowledge that if my information or topics have indeed been stored, then for the amount of times I use my mobile or landline, I've probably been overheard discussing a variety of topics. I'm still here, at home, not in a prison, and without criminal record. And if my Internet browsing history, for example, is likely to be dragged out and thrust into the faces of the likes of my employers to expose me as a cretin in future: congratulations, you wasted your time, and the new Raoul Moat just shot another of your officers through your negligence.
As for anyone else's personal grievances, action plans or lack of... Do what you have to do, I'm only speaking for myself.
Though, when I think about it, if these plans are indeed legitimised, 'Alias of the Bona Fide' will become an obsolete title... As will my blog's description... I suppose I'll have to rename as "You're Wasting Your Time.", with "...but thanks for dropping by!" in the description, or words to that effect.
