Speech Ain't Free No More

[Nie]

Something that I've been fuming over the last few weeks are the new Sedition Laws that were brought back into Australia a few weeks ago.

For anyone that doesn't know, here is the dictionary.com definition:

Se.di.tion:
1. Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
2. Insurrection; rebellion.

I can't think of words to descirbe how appalling this descision was or how angry it has made me. It's basically taken away teh freedom of speech I was proud to possess for living here in Australia. It's now technically illegal for me to complain about the fact the government should be defering funding from the military and put it back into healthcare and education. Over the last few years sicne the September 11 bombings funding toward healthcare and education has been getting whittled down so a larger cut can go toward our military. Public healthcare is now almost non-existant, and public schools who were under funded as it was, are now even worse off than before. And don't even get me started on GST when it was brought in.

Basically, in my opinion, Howard has done nothing but send the country downhill since he came into office. I used to have a right to voice that opinion, and now I can be sentenced to a prison term for voicing it around the wrong people.

Thankfully there are alot of people moving and pushing to get the Sedition Laws Scraped early next year.

I was wondering what views everyone else has on this sort of thing. Am I over-reacting, or do you also think this is an outrage an a blatant attack on freedom?

[KoNeko]

I've been reading about this and since I'm in a country that apparently enjoys so much freedom of speech (um, I said apparently), it's weird to explain Sedition to people here. But in Australia there never was a blanket freedom of speech; the constitution in Australia only provided for the freedom of political expression which is different from free speech. However, surely there is a constitutional challenge to your freedom of political expression by bringing in these laws. Has anyone said anything about that?

I think sedition laws are, for the ordinary person, a really bad idea. Part of living in a supposedly democratic political system is that the constituents can meet freely to disseminate political information and therefore learn and discuss political issues from each other. Putting a law like this in place really hinders that; and when people come to vote they'll be even more misinformed. Sure, this is a great start for brainwashing the nation.

[Sarah]

hmmm...well, i'm not in australia, but if they took away freedoms like that over here in the states, it would be hell. i cant imagine....what's his main purpose for doing this? this is really really stupid...so even if youre kids are going to a ridiculously low-funded school and werent being treated properly you couldnt complain? and why put all the money towards military? i understand the 9/11 situation, but do they fear an attack or what?

bah...

[Nie]

Two More Free Nations Fall To Biometric Prison[/link]

Aussies must all have biometric "access cards" by 2010, Scots to be forced on database with Citizens' National Entitlement Card

Steve Watson / Infowars | April 27 2006

When is a national ID card not a national ID card? That's correct my Orwellian students, its when your leader says its a "biometric access card".

Australia is set to revert back to being a prison state as all citizens are to be forced to carry the "access card" by 2010.

The card would include a computer chip with biometric information and photograph, and is 'designed to reduce welfare and identity fraud, and protect against terrorists."

In the mid 80s the Hawke Labor Government attempted to introduce a national ID card in Australia which was fiercely opposed by the Liberal Party, including the now Prime Minister, John Howard, on the grounds of infringement of liberty.

Of course now Howard is firmly entrenched within the globalist power structure he has completely changed his stance on ID cards and the accompanying biometric database recording control system.

"You have to put that against the right all of us have to expect of our Government that it takes all reasonable measures to protect us against the behaviour of terrorists," Mr Howard said.

"I think when people talk about civil liberties they sometimes forget that action taken to protect the citizen against physical attack is a blow in favour and not a blow against civil liberties."

According to a Sydney Morning Herald article, the country's attitude to the cards has also changed. An ACNielsen poll for the Herald last August found that two-thirds of Australians were willing to sacrifice privacy and civil liberties for protection against terrorists. Sixty-one per cent were also in favour of a national identity card.

The Australian ID card agenda is the identical twin of the British ID card agenda. The overall movement is global and it is one being implemented right under people's noses, piece by piece in a stealth, stepping stone like fashion.

In addition to changing the rhetoric surrounding the card, the compulsory nature of it is also being coated in Orwellian doublespeak.

"It will not be compulsory to have the card," the Australian newspapers quoted Howard saying today. But, "It will be necessary for everybody who needs a card to apply for one."

Like The British ID card, which is "optional" for anyone who doesn't carry a passport, the Aussie card is optional for anyone who doesn't get ill or pay lower taxes, with the card initially providing access to Medicare, welfare and tax benefits.

Any number of upgrades could see the card used in all aspects of life in the two countries. The ID systems in Britain and Australia equate to lifelong surveillance and an end to life as a private citizen.

Meanwhile in Scotland plans are being considered by the Scottish Executive to issue ID cards storing details of every aspect of Citizens lives.

Hundreds of thousands of Scots have already been issued with the Citizens' National Entitlement Card - a microchipped card that carries the holder's name and photo. The cards are used to access free bus or coach travel, but there are plans to link them to a central database.

This would give the Executive access to such details as people's travel movements, gym visits and reading habits. There are fears that the system could be expanded to include other information such as NHS records and benefits payments.

Scotland, a nation that fought for centuries for freedom and independence. Scotland, birthplace of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, two huge and heroic icons of Freedom, may now have every one of its citizens registered, monitored and controlled like prisoners.

Last week we covered in depth how the ID card is a trojan Horse for the wider reaching database state. Just as in England and Wales, Scottish citizens already have every aspect of their lives recorded onto several different databases. The components have already been introduced by stealth, now all that remains is to link them together into one massive central database hub.

Once again we can see how the ID card and the accompanying database can record, track and control our lives, but how can it prevent terrorism? No explanation has been given as to what it will do to achieve this.

In fact, the British government has even admitted that the card will not prevent terrorism. Nor will it keep us safe from fraud and identity theft. These things do not add up, the system is sold on security but it is really all about controlling the masses.

The funding for the ID agenda will be provided by selling our biometric and personal information to big business market research and promotions companies. Furthermore, we will not have access to our information, but the intelligence services and governments that are hell bent on waging illegal wars in our names will.

About 100 nations now have identity cards of some kind. The agenda to record and trace everyone is truly global and more nations are falling into the system. We don't need cards to be "entitled" to the freedoms we have earned as citizens.

I intend to leave my own country as soon as I am told I must register on the database and carry a card, but how long before there is no where free left to go? How long will it be before every US citizen is registered on an ID database? How long will it be before we truly are a prison planet?
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[hermoine]

Well as regards the first article, it reminds me a whole lot about a particular play we did during Maltese drama this year. It's an incredible satire attacking all possible governmental institutions in the 1980's, with the message hidden under a play(it's a play in a play) done at the end of the 1700's, a couple of years before the French took over here in Malta.

Actually the play attacks the people most of all, for being so blind and stupid(a fact which alas, even after 20 years, is still very clearly apparent). Nevertheless, it's good to see that the play wasn't banned or criticized.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like here if saying something against the government was taboo, mostly considering that half the island follows one party, while the other half follows the other(with a couple of individuals which I'm glad I'm in the midst of that thinks this is all a load of tosh and they're truly blinded in doing everything their political party says). So basically whoever's in government, you'll always find half the island grumbling for one reason or other.

I mean when we went to to visit the European Ombudsman(who's a truly cool guy) in Strasbourg, he told us that we Maltese when compared by ratios with other European countries are the ones who complain the most regarding institutions and such. So yeah...it would be VERY difficult to shut our mouths like that.

Freedom of speech is like one of the most fundamental rights we have. I was watching a documentary on an Italian channel last time which was regarding the situation in China. Honestly, with no offence to anyone but they are indeed brainwashed. How can you EVER be happy with €150 per month?! The ridiculous part was when these workers actually sang, as per daily routine, the song "If you're happy and you know it". What the-


And as for the card, it's reminding me of one of those law thingies I used to receive for the Jennifer Government thing. It was something to do with having walky talkies or something, to lower crime levels, and let's just say, it never really worked out well because, personally I think it deprived you of your right to privacy in a way. I mean one of the fundamental aspects of the EU is Schengen, allowing you to cross from one country to another without a passport even. You just need your ID card and you can travel, so long as your country of destination is in the Schengen group.