Read this article http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/feb/13/glaxo-smith-kline-cheap-medicine
What a bloke!
Is it real? I mean, really? There must be some dark dirty reason right? Or is he another good person who's slipped throught the net?
I mean, shit, Glaxo aren't exactly your local chemist and he's basically laying down the gauntlet right? Surely the world will applaud and the rest of the pharmaceuticals will have to follow suit?
At this rate we're going to run out of bubble wrap and armour plating to keep all the good guys safe...
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Sunday 15 February 2009
Police State?
Ladies and Gentlemen - as of today it is illegal, under Section 44 The Terrorism Act, to take a photo of a UK copper. The offence carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a fine.
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675
Let's hear that again shall we?
UNDER SECTION 44 (TERRORISM ACT) IT IS NOW ILLEGAL TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A POLICE OFFICER IN THE UK.
Should we not remember that the police are public servants? They are there to keep us safe from harm. What possible reason could there be for making it illegal to take a photo of a policeman.
In day to day policing this law is largely useless and it will obviously be used at each individual officers discretion but how about at a peaceful protest? How will it affect the behaviour of the police then? What will happen when anyone they find pointing a camera at them can be arrested? This includes press as far as I can tell.
As recently as January 2009 we have seen the police herding a group of peaceful protesters down into the Hyde Park underpass to give them a little bit of a beating away from the eyes and lenses of the public and press. From what I can tell from the footage available they then emerged from the tunnel with the group of angry, scared, attacked protesters. When the news spread about what had happened people got angry and the crowds became restless and more confrontational but THIS behaviour is what was caught on film. The police could then turn around and say "Look! Look at all the angry violent protesters!" It's like someone punching you in class when the teachers back is turned and then just as you retaliate the teacher turns round and it's YOU that doesnt get any playtime...
What will it be like when they dont even have to hide in a tunnel? How will they behave when they can arrest and confiscate the equipment of anyone pointing a camera at them?
A friend told me about a press photographer friend of his who was at one of the recent anti Israel invasion protests, (maybe even the same one as mentioned above), he was manhandled by the police, made to state his name on film, (oh yes, of course, THEY can still take photos of YOU), and then thrown back into the crowd. He was there with a fully visible press badge.
Also worth remembering:
- The UK has one of the highest rates of CCTV cameras per member of the population in the world.
- From April communications providers will be required, by law, to keep records of all telephone calls, texts and emails sent.
What the fuck is going on?
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675
Let's hear that again shall we?
UNDER SECTION 44 (TERRORISM ACT) IT IS NOW ILLEGAL TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A POLICE OFFICER IN THE UK.
Should we not remember that the police are public servants? They are there to keep us safe from harm. What possible reason could there be for making it illegal to take a photo of a policeman.
In day to day policing this law is largely useless and it will obviously be used at each individual officers discretion but how about at a peaceful protest? How will it affect the behaviour of the police then? What will happen when anyone they find pointing a camera at them can be arrested? This includes press as far as I can tell.
As recently as January 2009 we have seen the police herding a group of peaceful protesters down into the Hyde Park underpass to give them a little bit of a beating away from the eyes and lenses of the public and press. From what I can tell from the footage available they then emerged from the tunnel with the group of angry, scared, attacked protesters. When the news spread about what had happened people got angry and the crowds became restless and more confrontational but THIS behaviour is what was caught on film. The police could then turn around and say "Look! Look at all the angry violent protesters!" It's like someone punching you in class when the teachers back is turned and then just as you retaliate the teacher turns round and it's YOU that doesnt get any playtime...
What will it be like when they dont even have to hide in a tunnel? How will they behave when they can arrest and confiscate the equipment of anyone pointing a camera at them?
A friend told me about a press photographer friend of his who was at one of the recent anti Israel invasion protests, (maybe even the same one as mentioned above), he was manhandled by the police, made to state his name on film, (oh yes, of course, THEY can still take photos of YOU), and then thrown back into the crowd. He was there with a fully visible press badge.
Also worth remembering:
- The UK has one of the highest rates of CCTV cameras per member of the population in the world.
- From April communications providers will be required, by law, to keep records of all telephone calls, texts and emails sent.
What the fuck is going on?
Sunday 8 February 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
