Why we shouldn’t ever allow UK government to control social networks

Right, time to put my cards on the table. I’m happy to say that I’m a conservative voter and that I support the government (even with those liberal hangers-on). Having said that, what a fool David Cameron is if he thinks that we should tolerate the UK intelligence services and the police having the ability to disable social networks during times of social unrest. Apart from the technical difficulties that he’d face, taking such steps would alienate the law-abiding majority and prevent social networks from being used for good.

If DC decides to shutdown FaceBook or Twitter, people will simply switch to Google Plus or PingChat. He can’t block access to every method of communication via the Internet and he’s deluded if he even thinks he can. The whole reason Blackberries are banned in parts of the Middle East is because the messages are routed through RIMs servers in Canada and are outside the control of the despotic regimes that try to control them. The Twitter hashtags #riotcleanup and the @shopalooter account demonstrate that social networks can be used for good as well as bad.

If DC wants to regain the public’s confidence he needs to ensure that the deterrent effect of long custodial sentences hangs over people who indulge in mob violence and he needs to ensure that the criminal justice system in the UK delivers custodial sentences when appropriate that are both punitive and rehabilitative in nature. Short sentences offer neither punishment, rehabilitation or protection for the public.

BMA response to the government’s new health care proposals

Thanks to my Dad for sending me this.  Laughing

 

The British Medical Association has weighed in on Prime Minister David Cameron’s new health care proposals.

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had a sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all labouring under a misconception.

Opthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.

Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body!” while the Paediatricians said, “Oh, Grow up!”

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.

The Surgeons were fed up with the cuts and decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The ENT specialists wouldn’t hear of it.

The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, “This puts a whole new face on the matter.”

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.

The Anaesthetists thought the whole idea was a gas, whilst the Cardiologists didn’t  have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the arseholes in London.