Here Comes 1984: Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes

by Elsewhere 19 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Elsewhere

  All I can say is WOW.

  2000 households have ALREADY got these cameras in their houses.

  http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/britain-to-put-cctv-cameras-inside-private-homes/

  Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes

  By Charlie Sorrel, August 3, 2009

  As an ex-Brit, I’m well aware of the authorities’ love of surveillance and snooping, but even I, a pessimistic cynic, am amazed by the governments latest plan: to install Orwell’s telescreens in 20,000 homes.

  £400 million ($668 million) will be spend on installing and monitoring CCTV cameras in the homes of private citizens. Why? To make sure the kids are doing their homework, going to bed early and eating their vegetables. The scheme has, astonishingly, already been running in 2,000 family homes. The government’s “children’s secretary” Ed Balls is behind the plan, which is aimed at problem, antisocial families. The idea is that, if a child has a more stable home life, he or she will be less likely to stray into crime and drugs.

  It gets worse. The government is also maintaining a private army, incredibly not called “Thought Police”, which will “be sent round to carry out home checks,” according to the Sunday Express. And in a scheme which firmly cements the nation’s reputation as a “nanny state”, the kids and their families will be forced to sign “behavior contracts” which will “set out parents’ duties to ensure children behave and do their homework.”

  And remember, this is the left-wing government. The Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling, batting for the conservatives, thinks these plans are “too little, and too late,” implying that even more obtrusive work needs to be done. Rumors that a new detention center, named Room 101, is being constructed inside the Ministry of Love are unconfirmed.
• 

  straightshooter

  Why buy security cameras to protect against theft, the British government will do it for free.

  What will the WTS do now about child discipline in Britain. No more spankings? Will JW families in Britain be exempt from camera spying by the government for reglious freedom?
• 

  daniel-p

  While still crazy, this isn't near the whole story. Hard to verify is this is actually true, and if so, what the deal is.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Maybe this is to monitor kids who've been abused? To protect them maybe?
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  daniel-p

  From what Ive found elsewhere, it sounds like its a program for government housing for welfare-type families who have histories of drug abuse. Still nuts though.
• 

  cameo-d

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/178723/1/I-Like-to-Watch

  Look where it originated!!
• 

  WTWizard

  These cameras should only be installed if the parents want them, to monitor for such things as burglaries and fires. To put them in place to make sure children are doing their homework is wrong--next, they will put them in bedrooms to make sure adults do not engage in banned sex practices. They will also put them in people's homes to make sure they are taking their medicine (even if it is doing nothing), and not taking their vitamins. Of course, it is going to jack up your taxes in the process.

  I hope they have a nice run on lens caps that fit those cameras. Put a lens cap on the lens, or place a nice Christmas wreath or a decoration that "happens" to obstruct the lens. Or, shine a very high power light into the camera, hoping to blind it so it will not see dimmer things (like that vitamin bottle). Disabling the microphone, perhaps by disconnecting it or "forgetting" to charge the batteries, will also do some good. I wonder how long it will be before someone will show up to get you for the new crime of obstructing the cameras or microphones, or disabling them.
• 

  PrimateDave

  It's the latest form of the Panopticon.
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  Big Tex

  Dang, the Mother Country has lost their bloody minds.
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  undercover

  From what Ive found elsewhere, it sounds like its a program for government housing for welfare-type families who have histories of drug abuse. Still nuts though.

  At first thought, one might think, "Well, if it's government housing and they're footing the bills for these people to have a place to live, why not..." I know some people who can't seem to run their lives very well...maybe they need watching...

  But then you think of 1984 and realize that pretty much everything is govenrment owned and controlled and then you realize this is how it starts...first the poor and underprivileged. Not too many people will stand up for their rights or freedoms. By the time the government pushes this onto a group that decides to fight back it will be too late.