Intimidation, Abuse, And Other Methods Of A Peaceful, Democratic Government

[flinthart]

So, Glenn Greenwald's partner has been detained for nine hours at Heathrow for questioning about 'Terrorism'. Nine hours is the maximum permitted time under British 'anti-terror' laws that a suspect can be held (at a border point, such as an airport) without actually being arrested and charged. See this article for more details: http://www.

Comments

[jack_ryder]

I must admit I'm sceptical. I can't imagine Greenwald backing down, and if the "found" contents were "leaked" than surely that would just embarrass the UK government even more (and create diplomatic issues with Brazil - though in the current climate that does seem like a risk the UK government would take.)

I assume it's just going to be continuing harassment for Greenwald and Miranda whenever they cross borders of US allies (similar to what Jacob Applebaum goes through.)

Still, it's an interesting point. I do think Greenwald is savvy enough to make sure either he or his partner travel without sensitive material (Greenwald's been subject to many, many attacks on his character before this) and would have the technical means to demonstrate the planting of suspicious material.

Sadly, though, you can probably not get too cynical at this stage - I think my moral outrage meter is now completely broken from redlining too much.

[flinthart]

Well, it hasn't happened yet. That's not to say they're not simply holding it in reserve.

[smileyfish]

I am more and more concerned about the world I live in. Was it always like this and I just wasn't paying attention, or has it really become that much worse in the last 10 years? The government, media and big business have done such a good job of disempowering and distracting us all. Worst of all, I don't know what the hell I am supposed to do about it.

[flinthart]

It's always been this way. It's just that the new tech has given governments more means of misbehaving, even as it has given us more and better means of identifying those misbehaviours.

I don't know what to do about it either. Voting certainly isn't the fucking answer, is it?