Tag: terrorism

London Olympics security craze – surface to air missiles

Yet another story from Slashdot:

I have to admit, when I first read about this I thought it was a hoax, but unfortunately it’s true. The UK government is considering placing surface-to-air missiles on residential buildings in London for the duration of the London Olympics. From the article: ‘The Ministry of Defence is considering placing surface-to-air missiles on residential flats during the Olympics. An east London estate, where 700 people live, has received leaflets saying a “Higher Velocity Missile system” could be placed on a water tower. A spokesman said the MoD had not yet decided whether to deploy ground based air defence systems during the event.

Once again proving to every TV watching idiot that “we are winning the war on terror“.  Congratulations!

American freedom and democracy

Russia Today reports:

The terrifying legislation that allows for Americans to be arrested, detained indefinitely, tortured and interrogated — without charge or trial — passed through the Senate on Thursday with an overwhelming support from 93 percent of lawmakers.

Only seven members of the US Senate voted against the National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday, despite urging from the ACLU and concerned citizens across the country that the affects of the legislation would be detrimental to the civil rights and liberties of everyone in America. Under the bill, Americans can be held by the US military for terrorism-related charges and detained without trial indefinitely.

Additionally, another amendment within the text of the legislation reapproved waterboarding and other “advanced interrogation techniques” that are currently outlawed.

That’s exactly the same freedom and democracy that the US is violently spreading to the rest of the world… This is a rather predictable milestone in The War on Terror.  Terrorists are still winning.

Winning The War On Terror

Cyprus Mail recently covered the security measures that are being taken in London for the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Here are a few quotes:

SNIPERS in helicopters will patrol the skies over London
[…]
based on HMS Ocean, the largest ship in the Navy, anchored in the Thames
[…]
Fast jets will also be located just outside London
[…]
Rapier air-defence missiles will be located in London
[…]
1,000-strong quick reaction force will also be on stand-by
[…]
About 7,500 armed forces members will work as security guards
[…]
Royal Marines will be based on HMS Ocean
[…]
They will also patrol along the Thames.
[…]
HMS Bulwark and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay will patrol off Weymouth
[…]
Special forces will also be placed on high alert, as well as military explosive disposal teams and units with dogs to search vehicles and buildings.
[…]
The venue security allocation has also been dramatically increased by £271 million to £553 million after the number of security guards was revised up to 23,700, more than double the original estimate of 10,000.

Winning The War On Terror, aren’t we?  I understand the need for security and all, but aren’t that going a bit too far?  Ships, jets, helicopters, snipers, special forces, dogs, patrols, tens of thousands in personnel, over half a billion in funds… When and how will we come to our senses again?

Ten years ago : 9/11

Today is a 10 year anniversary of 9/11.  Even though I haven’t been directly affected by the terrorist act 10 years ago, there were still indirect consequences for me and pretty much every other human being on this planet.  “War on terror”, military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, economy defaulting, beefed up security checks in each and every airport, more fear in people and more power in governments – the list can go on.