Privacy and the State

[amateur51]

I said a 'tiny rump' of the populace yearns for the 'good old days' of Communism or Nazism/Fascism which is not quite the same thing, french frank!

There are still Stalinists in Russia and Neo-Nazis in Germany. I would describe both Stalinism and Nazism as 'tyrannical', wouldn't you?

Not forgetting The Spanish Inquisition.

Noo-body forgets The Spanish Inquisition

[ahinton]

Back o' the queue Inspector - some of us still fancy get Dubbya and the Middle East Quartet's bagman up in front of the Hague first.

Must make sure that it's the right Hague, though...

[ahinton]

Well, the law's the law.

If the US has spied on German telephone calls, let them be charged and tried under German Law

If the US has spied on Spanish telephone calls, let them be charged and tried under Spanish Law.

That's an interesting thought, without doubt, but how could this happen in the way that you describe? US is not subject to German or Spanish law, so any charges would have to be agreed and laid internationally - but yes, something of the kind would be a good idea indeed and it would have to focus in part on why US did these things (if inded they have) and what they aimed to get from them and for whose benefit and in whose interests.

[ahinton]

Not forgetting The Spanish Inquisition.

Noo-body forgets The Spanish Inquisition

Perhaps the latest accusations of snooping on Spaniards might come to be regarded as the Second Spanish Inquisition, though I'm less certain if similar actions against the interests of the Austrian populace would get dubbed the Second Viennese Snoop...

[scottycelt]

Not forgetting The Spanish Inquisition.

Noo-body forgets The Spanish Inquisition

Well, I don't know anyone in my neighbourhood who remembers, do you?

[amateur51]

Must make sure that it's the right Hague, though...

It might be fun to start off with the wrong 'un - lengthen the process & increases the anxiety of the accused dontcha know.

OT the Rebekah and Andy (et al) show starts today - scheduled to last four months so they should get to the bottom of it, shouldn't they?

[amateur51]

Well, I don't know anyone in my neighbourhood who remembers, do you?

Remind me just how the Church explains away this persecution.

[ahinton]

Remind me just how the Church explains away this persecution.

Oh, PLEASE don't!...

[scottycelt]

It might be fun to start off with the wrong 'un - lengthen the process & increases the anxiety of the accused dontcha know.

OT the Rebekah and Andy (et al) show starts today - scheduled to last four months so they should get to the bottom of it, shouldn't they?

Oh how thrilling the 'show' sounds, amsey ... I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[scottycelt]

Remind me just how the Church explains away this persecution.

Oh do go back to bed, amsey ... don't worry, we'll make sure the Bogeyman doesn't get you!

[amateur51]

Oh how thrilling the 'show' sounds, amsey ... I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Have no fear scotty, I'll be keeping you posted.

[Richard Barrett]

Obviously there are those in Russia who preferred life under corrupt Stalinism to life under the corrupt capitalism they have now. Considerable numbers of people were better off then, ordinary people who were and are more concerned with having a job and feeding their families than the colour of the political system they were living in, who, back in the Soviet period, acquiesced in foregoing some freedoms such as (to take a random example!) the right not to be under constant state scrutiny, in the interest of security from an ill-defined enemy whose evil intent was underlined to them on a daily basis by their government and news media. Not so different from some contributors to this very thread in fact!

[An_Inspector_Calls]

Yeah, life under Stalin was a ball. Just one or two minor complaints:

http://www.ibtimes.com/how-many-people-did-joseph-stalin-kill-1111789

[Richard Barrett]

life under Stalin was a ball

Like Mr Pee you see the words "Soviet Union" and your ability to read and understand seems to vanish into thin air. This is really very tiresome.

[ahinton]

Yeah, life under Stalin was a ball. Just one or two minor complaints:
http://www.ibtimes.com/how-many-peop...n-kill-1111789

What do you mean by your use of the word "yeah" here? Did anyone here suggest that life under Stalin was anything of the kind? What's that got to do with Privacy and the State today anyway?