I was busy yesterday doing my best to rid the blog of the link with Lallands Peat Worrier and his virus problem, therefore I was unable to give much attention to the Digital Economy Bill which had it's 3rd reading in the House of Commons yesterday. (LPW has resolved the problem and kindly left a comment on my post, so nobody should have any more troubles).
Other bloggers have been far more attentive regarding the progress of the DE Bill, those such as Charlotte Gore, John Redwood and Eric Joyce. All are rightly angry at the way in which democracy has been by-passed by the UK government and also by those MPs who supported it "under pressure".
My understanding of the 'pressure' is that this Bill has been rushed through without proper scrutiny and debate, yet many voted in favour of it. It was no coincidence that the 3rd reading took place the day Gordon Brown announced the date of the General Election of course.
One of the worrying aspects of this bill for individual internet users appears to be we will be responsible for anything which comes through our internet connection. If something comes through which isn't approved by Ofcom, you can be disconnected and if you want to appeal you have to pay your own fee. The fee has yet to be set.
Also copyright holders will be able to use the government to cut you off from websites they believe are breaching their copyright.
Peter Mandelson has finally achieved his desire for governmental control over our use of the internet. This is only the beginning. It will be like the smoking law, which has developed into a draconian measure and split society by making smokers the lepers of today. The attack is now against the drinker. Alcohol is the taboo of tomorrow.
We all know much of our law is made in Brussels and MPs have no say in it whatsoever, but when they do have a chance to speak out they don't; they take the easy route of voting 'under pressure'.
Shame on them to further destroy the little democracy we have in these islands. The quicker Scotland becomes independent and the Scots tell their 'new' government this type of behaviour will not be acceptable, the better.
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15 comments:
The DEBill was a fiasco.
How much of a fiasco it was is evidenced by one Sally Bercow, she of John Bercow spousedom and well-known leftie, has twat upon the subject today.
She is usually on the party mantra, so for her to waver it must have been bad.
I'm hoping my MP, who wasn't there to vote, will be replaced.
I am appalled. Although I, and it seems only I, actually DO something about it. Everyone else seems to talk about it and toe the legal line.
Sod that.
SR this is a green light to the MSM to come after us and set traps. They hate our guts because we've spoiled their little cosy party with the politicos. This process is already advanced in certain agendas where a change of tone is evidenced and names are being taken.
I've just been having a quick wizz round the internet and have found loads of software that would enable me to hack into other people's Wifi.
It would mean that I would be able to hack into next door's wifi and download through them. This bill doesn't allow for that.
And of course next door will be guilty and will have to prove their innocence in the eyes of the law.
Of course this bill will fail to have an impact because more download sites will encrypt the data, making it more dificult for the authorities to track.
Eric Joyce being (pretending to be?)worried about the bypassing of democracy? Must be an election looming or something.
As well as the widespread concerns for freedom of expression this is bad law, badly drafted, badly structured, badly thought out, and shoved througn Parliament without regard for debate. Even at the height of WW2 Parliament were not treated in this fashion when emergency legislation was needed. Unless we get a government that will remove it there will be an unholy mess.
Marvo, if you read Eric Joyce's posts you'd realise another labour MP is unhappy.
You keep going, the others will join you eventually.
That's it in a nutshell Incoming. First it was smoking...
I heard on the car radio someone talking about that scenario FE and they said once the court cases started and the courts threw them out, then perhaps politicians would realise what they've voted for.
Auch SE, to be fair to Eric, he doesn't always toe the line, in the past year or so certainly. But of course he's a politician.
Demetrius, I can't see the tories removing it can you? Many of them voted for it.
It's about commerce and power. How to maximize profits for corporations; how to limit access to information about stuff the elite would rather keep secret; and limit Joe Public's ability to criticize the power elite.
At this rate bloggers will go back to producing Samisdat on Gestetners.
Ah scunnert, then I'd have technical skills to knock the socks off of these youngsters. :)
The DE Bill wasn't the only thing to be rammed up Britannia's rear...
Tories drop opposition to DNA plans
The DNA of innocent people will be kept for up to six years after the Conservatives dropped their opposition to the plans.
I give up. What's the point voting for any of them?
I read about that yesterday John. Maybe it's worth bringing it to people's attention. If I've time I'll write something.
@Rosie:
If you read my blog "Debbie", the MP I didn't mention is the very same one you just did!
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