UK turning into a Banana Republic?

[zzm9980]

The UK detained Glenn Greenwald's partner (boyfriend) while he was transiting through LHR from Berlin back to Rio. Glenn Greenwald is the Guardian journalist who has been helping Snowden with his leaks. Apparently anything electronic (Laptop, phone, USB drives, Video game consoles) were seized and not returned to Glenn's partner. He was help under a Terrorism law which allows someone to be detained for up to 9 hours with no access to a lawyer, no right to remain silent, etc.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/a ... d-heathrow

Anyone who isn't completely disgusted by this deserves the despotic shitty V for Vendetta like future we're heading towards.

[bgd]

Not a banana republic, just a puppet of the US.

[Hannieroo]

I'm ashamed.

[PNGMK]

It's appalling. The Australian govt is no better - the AG claims neither Snowden or Assange are whistle blowers. I guess the AG would have been happy stuffing ovens for the Nazis rather than be called a whistle blower.


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/a ... en-manning

[Mi Amigo]

I think it's utterly outrageous and just goes to show how vindictive these folks (government agencies in UK, US, etc.) can be when they know they don't have to account for their actions.

The anti-Snowden retribution reminds me of an event that happened 24 years ago today:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Caroline#1989_Anglo-Dutch_raid

... and the follow-up draconian legislation that was inserted into a bill after it had been debated in the House of Commons (seen by some as trying to retroactively justify the earlier illegal action):

http://www.partyviberadio.com/forums/radio/pirate-radio/658-pirate-radio-law-uk.html

TLDR summary - the UK government granted themselves and their agents authority to board and/or seize any ship (registered under any flag) in international waters if it was suspected of having broadcast equipment installed. Complete immunity was also granted for any actions taken.

Conclusion - 'the powers that be' want to stay in control of the flow of information and entertainment, and don't like it when people act outside of their ambit.

[Wd40]

I follow only economic news and all I know is after many many years the EU zone and UK is particular are coming out of recession. Thats something to celebrate.

[ScoobyDoes]

Your subject matter is all wrong, wrong I tell ya!

The UK is definitely NOT turning into a banana republic.











It has been one for years.

[Hannieroo]

We used to be a country that fought for freedom of speech. Disgusting.

[Chantikki]

At least the journalists in the uk are prepared to print this, unlike the gutless press in Australia.

[PNGMK]

We used to be a country that fought for freedom of speech. Disgusting.

You (and us) may yet end up doing that all over again.

[zzm9980]

My god, this just gets more laughable:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/a ... ridger-nsa

[AndrewV]

My god, this just gets more laughable:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/a ... ridger-nsa

in the face of all this, singapore's human rights records are not looking that bad afterall

[Mi Amigo]

You are kidding, right? Please tell me you were kidding.

For example, do you seriously think that any newspaper here would have had the guts to print the stories that the Guardian and Washington Post have?

[chaaraard]

COol. I guess this is why my family is emigrating to Asia-Australasia in droves

[scarbowl]

Or....perhaps they are both doing the right thing!