Following the London bombings, the Australian government is raising the spectre of the Australia card, thought by most to be safely dead and buried.
‘Howard, then in opposition, opposed the card, but now says times have changed.
“This is an issue that ought to be back on the table…in the wake of something like the terrible tragedy in London,” ‘
What this tells us about Mr Howard is that he is nothing more than a sick opportunist. It is also deeply offensive to Britons that Mr Howard is using a tragedy that occurred here to further his own political objectives. Our own dear Home Secretary who is currently championing the odious NIR and ID Cards scheme in this country at least had the good grace to accept that it would not have stopped the bombers carrying out their nefarious activity. Indeed, any suggestion that it would have made identifying them easier became null and void in the aftermath of such rapid identification using traditional means.
Given that terrorists are not prevented in any way from carrying out their activities by identity cards, it is odd that we are frequently told that the authorities need an arsenal of weapons in the fight against terror and that ID cards should be in that arsenal. Yes, just as we need a range of tools for any given task, but only the ones that are useful to us. Identity Cards are not useful as a means of security or counter terrorism. For Mr Howard to suggest that civil liberties should be traded for increased security…
“He said the sacrifice of some personal liberties was sometimes necessary.”
…echoes comments made by Charles Clarke when interviewed by the BBC last year. Indeed, Clarke is still saying that they will help rather than hinder. Help what, exactly? How, exactly?
I realise that it has been said many times before, but it would seem that some buffoons just don’t learn – or have learning difficulties. So, here it is again:
“The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either.” Benjamin Franklin
All this ID checking won’t stop a thing. While the sheep are lining up to be checked, the wolves will be jumping the fence and getting to the other side.
A fantastic post … as usual, you have cut to the bone of the matter very succinctly. As demonstrated by both by the revival of the Australia card, and the recent mandatory detention scandal, Howard has no respect for the freedom of the individual.
I also found our PM’s lack of compassion in relation to the use of what happened in London an absolute disgrace, and fear for what this will do to denigrate our country to those overseas. His lack of sensitivity to others makes me feel ashamed of how we are being perceived as a nation.