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EU, the police state
First, the “Big Brother” directive being forced through the EU which mandates data retention of all communication.
Second, the elimination of anonymous access, via cybercafes and pre-paid phone cards.
Interesting to note that all references to “terrorism” were removed from the compromise ammendments that will be voted on Wednesday. This wave of anti-privacy legislation has nothing to do with terrorism (that was just the stick) and everything to do with autocrats in business and in government that feel they have lost control of new technology and will do anything to regain it.
Next, we’ll see the creation of new types of “crime”. See the French proposal to outlaw free software, proposals to criminalise patent infringement, etc.
Then, the creation of EU juduicial and police structures to enforce these crimes. See EPO tribunals, EU arrest warrant, extradition for crimes like “piracy”, etc.
Lastly, and most worryingly for EU citizens, is the way criminal law and new definitions of crime are being created by the unelected Council and Commission burocracy – these groups have basically coerced the European Parliament into accepting “compromises” or being left out of the legislative process completely.
In other words… we cannot vote these laws away. There is no mechanism for appeal. There is no supreme court. There is no constitution.
We are fucked.
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At first I thought the EU might actually make for a potent counter point to the increasingly belligerent U.S., both economically and politically. Over time, though, as I watch the red tape grow and the mad struggle to retain power by the old guard through draconian regulations and attempts to squelch free speech (or even thought), I have lost my enthusiasm and now stand convinced that the old world will not be content until it has burned itself to the ground and taken everyone with it (same for the rich asshats running the U.S.). Here’s hoping Canada doesn’t veer to the right after their “no confidence” vote (as ridiculous as that seems compared to what goes unpunished in the States). I personally can’t wait until oil runs out, the next pandemic strikes, the trans Atlantic conveyor shuts down (effectively turning England into the new Siberia), potable water becomes the foundation for the next resource wars, the rain forests of South America are burned down and worldwide oxygen levels plunge by up to 20%, etc., etc. I wonder how far you’ll have to sleep from the House of Commons when that goes down.