Insecurity and isolationism
I know that many other people have linked to this polite but heartfelt rant about the new US visitor registration programmeâit articulates everything that I’ve been fuming about over the last few days. If you want a slightly less polite but no less heartfelt (and very funny) rant, then head over to d4d.
What with ‘sky marshals’, no loitering near the toilets on long haul flights, and now needing to be fingerprinted or photographed when you enter the countryâwell, hands up who feels like visiting to the US now? I wouldn’t mind if it was actually going to achieve anything, but I think that it’s all pointlessness masquerading as actually doing something. The US Government seems to be a bit out of control.
Someone ought to point out to Bush that plenty of other countries have coped with high levels of terrorism for years (including the UK, of course, while US citizens blithely funded NORAID) without turning the country into an impregnable fortress.
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As an American, I'd like to apologize for that gang of simple-minded, moronic assholes currently running our country.
I really am working hard to try and kick them out of office.----- I agree with your sentiments PZ ... the same "ideas" rule down here in Australia. The only problem is ... our voters tend to be "s-m m a" too.
I find it mind-boggling, bsag, that any government would think that this would work. All they will do is keep tourists out. The "bad guys" will always find a way to do that which they must.
by Julie @ 10/01/2004 6:01 am • Permalink •
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PZ Myers: You notice that I said "US Government", and not "Americans"? I feel really sorry for you guys. Whenever I've been to the States, the vast majority of people I've met have been really warm, friendly and positive, so quite how you managed to end up with such a dunderhead in office, I don't know. Oh, wait, most people didn't vote for him, did they? Good luck with the election!
Julie: Sorry to hear that. I've been to Australia too, and my impression of the Australian people was very positive too. Perhaps there's some inverse relationship between the niceness of a populace, and the idiocy of their Government? I agree with your other comment too -- it's just not going to work, is it.
by bsag @ 10/01/2004 7:02 pm • Permalink •
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I feel it's up to any nation to decide how to best protect itself and its citizens from the kind of attacks that happened in 9/11. But that said, I can see no possible value in the measures they are proposing except to annoy people. I love America, I lived there for three years and was sad to leave, but I doubt I'd go back now.
However, americans by and large do support Bush in his wars and his tactics. People are scared and Bush and his people are doing a good job of frightening people into giving up thie freedoms, while at the same time pushing through his economic and environmental agendas under the cover of terrorism.
That said, with people like Blunkett and Blair and Straw in power over here, we don't have a lot to shout about at the moment. Don't forget we have our own Guantanamo too. It staggers me that I feel more comfortable with the idea of voting for Michael Howard than I do Blair and co - and I once swore I would never vote for any organization that allowed Howard anywhere near it.
I think the world is in a mess right now :(
by dave m @ 10/01/2004 10:02 pm • Permalink •
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Bsag: I took the term "s-m m a" to be generic rather than literal. Generally speaking, I consider Australians to be friendly, outgoing and very approachable. However, this does not mean that they: think much further than their own back-yard; don't consider first and foremost what is in it for them; that they are not confused and frightened by misinformation; and, are not socially and politically conservative ... mmm ... think I got all the double negatives there correct.
Dave: We have a couple of our nationals held without anything in Guantanamo, too. Yet the majority of people do not question the legal and moral right of the governments concerned to do this. I get the impression, too, that the majority of people here would approve if Saddam were taken out and summarily shot. No fair trial. No proof. No Geneva Conventions. Therefore, no waste of money. Hell, everyone KNOWS the guy is guilty.
by Julie @ 11/01/2004 11:02 am • Permalink •
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HI Julie, I think in Britain largely feel as you suggest. Most wouldn't leave a minute's sleep about a summary execution for Saddam and most here don't give a hoot about the British prisoners. Of course, the British prisoners are all Asian & Muslim, and most British people probably don't even see them as 'really' British. It would perhaps be a different matter if they were white and Christian.
Something to remember about America at the moment is that anyone - citizen or non citizen - can be 'disappeared' by the US government and no one is likely to do anything about it. I'd think twice about going to America again because the rule of law has been suspended for non-citizens.
by dave m @ 11/01/2004 12:01 pm • Permalink •
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Dave: There are two Australian citizens held in Guantanomo Bay by the USA. One is a Muslim of Pakistani origin whose wife and four kids live in Melbourne; the other a 30 something whose parents live in Adelaide. Don't know if he is Christian or Calathumpian. I guess it follows that if you "believe in" summary execution for Saddam then who gives a toss for the prisoners. As for the "disappearing" of US citizens ... gosh ... what happened to the rule of law and the constitution and other things they hold dear? Or am I living in the past?
by Julie @ 12/01/2004 1:01 pm • Permalink •
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Julie and dave m: Sigh. The world is in a bit of a mess, isn't it? This discussion reminded me of the fact that it's actually quite difficult to determine what the majority of people think. I'm a mainly liberal, left-wing kind of person, so naturally, most of my friends are similar. It can be a bit of a shock when you're exposed to people outside your own interests/outlook, but you still don't know how representative they are of the general view.
by bsag @ 12/01/2004 9:01 pm • Permalink •
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