Thursday, April 05, 2007

Nanny state has a voice now

Britain is already one of the most watched nations on earth and now "talking" CCTV cameras are to be installed in 20 areas across the country.

The loudspeakers will allow CCTV operators to bark orders at people committing anti-social behaviour.


Via The Telegraph UK

Competitions are being held at schools in many of the areas for children to become the "voice" of CCTV cameras, Mr Reid said.

"Local communities are rightly fed up with littering and anti-social behaviour - they want to remind people about what is, and is not, respectful behaviour," he said.

"By funding and supporting these local schemes, the Government is encouraging children to send this clear message to grown ups: act anti-socially and you will face the shame of being publicly embarrassed."

According to recent studies, Britain has 4.2million CCTV cameras - one for every 14 people in the country - which amounts to 20 per cent of the global camera total.

All emphasis ours. Cameras watching your every movement in public? Children encouraged to rat on their parents for "anti-social" behavior? And who defines what is "anti-social"? If it sounds like some kind of awful Orwellian nightmare that's because it is.

Hat tip to Pajames Media.

Washington Post editorial slams Pelosi visit to Syria

Excerpt:

The really striking development here is the attempt by a Democratic congressional leader to substitute her own foreign policy for that of a sitting Republican president. Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush's military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi's attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.


Hat tip to Instapundit.

Update:
The always brilliant Cox and Forkum: