uk on critical alert

[ariston]

Tighty I always try to keep it civil but when numpties come on as good as saying its our own fault we are being attacked I can't bite my lip. Of course its the governments fault our planes and trains are getting blown up- what a crock of shit. As long as people like that are allowed views like that it allows people to get away with stuff. People should know right from wrong and although I believe everyone is entitled to their oppinion they should realise that some people are just wired wrong. As long as people sympathise with the likes of the extremists they will be allowed to hide and ultimately thrive.

[ariston]

 roll on ID cards , biometric scanners , armed police patrolling every airport , train and bus station , cctv watching us 24/7

 its all worth it if they stop the big bad terrorists , why should we have a life?

 why should we have privacy and freedom , when '' they '' could strike at anytime.

 you give up your freedom if you want , but I for one certainly wont be.

If thats what it takes, a minor inconvenience, to make sure I dont get blown up while taking a flight or train journey then so be it. Its not going to take my life away it is trying to protect my life you cretin. More and more people seem to think the government are to blame and not "them" (meaning the terrorists). Any man who is willing to give up his own life in taking yours is very hard to stop, if the intelligence gets it wrong a few times yet stops just one attack they have done their jobs. 20 people have been nicked today- in standard cells or 4 or 5 people thats 4 or 5 planes (around 2000 people) could have been brought down.

Ignorance abundant! Why do you think there are so much troubles in the middle east? It all started with this little thing called the British Empire.... strike that, it all started with the crusades......................

Of course the government is to blame. The US more than the UK but we are the yankies bitch so that makes us just as guilty.

I haven't even started on the oil.....

sorry u didnt say it was dubya or blairs fault you said it was the US government or the US governments bitches (ie blair). Suppose I shouldnt have jumped to conclusions. That one sentence says its our own fault we are a target in your eyes.

[TightEnd]

ariston...I am not apportioning any blame anywhere on this...People hold different views and they can be expressed on here in their entirety as long as they are not flaming others, racist, sexist or illegal

Please everyone keep it civil and cut the derogatory comments about others. Thanks

[Royal Flush]

I have to agree with Russ, although not with his tone ;-)

Why people are worried about being on CCTV when they are out in public, or having ID cards, is beyond me. Makes our lives easier and more importantly makes the security service job's easier. I have nothing to hide, and because of that they are not likely to want to start spying on me!

[ariston]

ariston...I am not apportioning any blame anywhere on this...People hold different views and they can be expressed on here in their entirety as long as they are not flaming others, racist, sexist or illegal

Please everyone keep it civil and cut the derogatory comments about others. Thanks

You should be appointing blame tighty- this thread is clearly the governments fault

[mikkyT]

 roll on ID cards , biometric scanners , armed police patrolling every airport , train and bus station , cctv watching us 24/7

 its all worth it if they stop the big bad terrorists , why should we have a life?

 why should we have privacy and freedom , when '' they '' could strike at anytime.

 you give up your freedom if you want , but I for one certainly wont be.

If thats what it takes, a minor inconvenience, to make sure I dont get blown up while taking a flight or train journey then so be it. Its not going to take my life away it is trying to protect my life you cretin. More and more people seem to think the government are to blame and not "them" (meaning the terrorists). Any man who is willing to give up his own life in taking yours is very hard to stop, if the intelligence gets it wrong a few times yet stops just one attack they have done their jobs. 20 people have been nicked today- in standard cells or 4 or 5 people thats 4 or 5 planes (around 2000 people) could have been brought down.

Ignorance abundant! Why do you think there are so much troubles in the middle east? It all started with this little thing called the British Empire.... strike that, it all started with the crusades......................

Of course the government is to blame. The US more than the UK but we are the yankies bitch so that makes us just as guilty.

I haven't even started on the oil.....

sorry u didnt say it was dubya or blairs fault you said it was the US government or the US governments bitches (ie blair). Suppose I shouldnt have jumped to conclusions. That one sentence says its our own fault we are a target in your eyes.

Right or wrong has nothing to do with blame. It is our fault but I agree it doesnt make it right.

Blaming the US government and the UK government does not infer blair or bush. I think the UK was first called the bitch of the US back in the 80's when Margaret Thatcher was playing lapdog to Ronald Regan. And the political problems during that time where also relics of history and remnants of the cold war, and going back even further... you know where I am going with this.

Don't put words in my mouth when I know fine well what I am talking about. Consequences of our actions are quite visible through the passage of time. Whilst it is quick and easy to claim no part in our nations history and political dealings and lump the blame squarely at the foot of religion, am I sorry to say that this is both wrong and ignorant.

[mikkyT]

I have to agree with Russ, although not with his tone ;-)

Why people are worried about being on CCTV when they are out in public, or having ID cards, is beyond me. Makes our lives easier and more importantly makes the security service job's easier. I have nothing to hide, and because of that they are not likely to want to start spying on me!

Because this country has a history of making laws for one particular thing and then after a period of time they are used for a purpose they where never intended (nor even considered at the time of passing though parliment). Laws and devices intending to protect our security will no doubt be used for other purposes in 2, 3, 5, x years time...

[bolt pp]

not many ideas put forward by those disagreeing with government policy on how better to do things.

Everyone disagrees with certain parts of government which is relatively easy to do, but faced with the current threat of global terrorism what would you guys, if in a position of power, do, or like to see done differently?

And theres no underlying pop at any one person in this question I'm genuinely interested to know how you'd go about detecting, preventing, punishing, acts of modern day terrorism against the western world that differs from the current governments approach.

[Newmanseye]

I believe back in the 80's that Regan was the bitch to Old Maggie, If my memory serves me correctly that is, I was forced to watch weekend world, and I'm sure that old Ronnie was maggies lapdog.

if I'm wrong start the flaming and build a wicker man!

[thediceman]

Wasn't there a study which last week claimed that the largest factor in most conflicts had more to do with nationalism as opposed to it religious ideals???.

I'm not sure which is scariest, the guardian readers believing we are in a big brother state or the daily mail readers who are prepared to give the government carte blache to do anything it deems appropriate to battle the "evil of terrorism". Well actually I do know, I'm more scared of the daily mail readers  . Obviously in this time of terrorism there is going to be height-ed controls and whilst this is fully acceptable lets not be naive to think that a government does not abuse such an opportunity to introduce controlling measures on it's citzens, you only need to see some of the bizarre laws the USA have introduced post 9/11 to understand that. You can also look back at the USA public records which show that in either the 50's or 60's they planned to bomb a Cuban ship as to ensure a tense political environment and one of fear for it's people. Fact is a governments greatest control tool is fear and as such they use it to their advantage. It is for this reason why we can't allow any government carte blache and must demand a degree of accountability. Got to say I love the "nothing to hide" argument, bring on compulsory DNA registration at birth and why not tagging for all  . And don't get me started on the joke of ID cards. Looks to me like it's the public that will help create George Orwell's vision to become reality.

Whilst I'm a strong believer in civil liberties I recognise in these times that cetain scarfices need to be made create a getter degree of public safety so can not critise all the measures the government introduce and accept there may be mistakes in achieving their goals. At least in this country I can express my concerns as and when I fell appropriate.

[Colchester Kev]

bring on compulsory DNA registration at birth .

I truly believe that is a fantastic Idea, also it should apply to every person entering the country as either a legal immigrant or asylum seeker.

[Colchester Kev]

LOL i dont think so ...   

Seriously though imagine a database of evryones dna.... it would certainly speed up the crimes solved rate, and act as a detterent to future criminals.

ID cards are surely just around the corner, and i welcome them.

I would genuinely like to listen to anyone who is opposed to ID cards and hear their reasons why.

[RED-DOG]

LOL i dont think so ...   

Seriously though imagine a database of evryones dna.... it would certainly speed up the crimes solved rate, and act as a detterent to future criminals.

ID cards are surely just around the corner, and i welcome them.

I would genuinely like to listen to anyone who is opposed to ID cards and hear their reasons why.

Because I would lose it

[RED-DOG]

Then I would get arrested, and probably deported.

[The Rivercard]

I am glad to live in a country that allows opinions such as those expressed here. For all our criticism of governments it important to remember that we live in a country that allows freedom of speech and that we are allowed to try and improve our way of life without fear of imprisonment or retaliation. I know we are not a perfect nation but I believe the majority of us want to live in peace. For this reason amongst many others I support any action that defends the innocent and prevents terrorism....Getting on a plane without hand luggage is not that great a burden.