<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160306/07562633815/abuse-power-laws-should-be-designed-as-if-people-we-distrust-most-are-power.shtml>
"There have been a few stories lately that have all combined to make a
few key points crystallize in my mind, concerning various legal powers
and the way that some people view them. It starts with an excellent
article from Trevor Timm in which the title lays out the issue: Imagine
Obama's national security policies in Trump's hands. After all, this is
the guy who hasn't been shy in promising to settle scores if he's elected."
The same applies in Australia, of course: every government is gung-ho
about national security legislation, because of course they're the "good
guys" and would surely never misuse their power. And if they pursue
whistleblowers, that's because clearly they are a threat to national
security. They can't tell the public because it's classified, but if
the public knew the secrets that they know, they'd surely understand
that they're only doing what they have to in order to keep everyone
safe. And if that means some people from other countries (like East
Timor!) got the short end of the stick, well that's unfortunate but
they're not citizens - or voters.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
