Finally, the Swedish democratic system resulted in a mental breakdown . The political majority forced their individual parliament members to vote in favour for a eavesdrop on all e-mail and telephone traffic that crosses the nation's borders. Sweden is then aligning the US fear for terrorism although no threats or attacks have been official. I wouldn't say that the US fear is valid either - is their nation in a threat from terrorism? The question goes back to what fear is - really. Do I fear that my family will be killed? Yes - of course, if there is rational argument that would convince me about that. The problem in the terrorism fear debate has been the complete mix up of personal fear and national fear. I believe in some surveillance systems, like CCD cameras on subways where the violence may be imminent when travelling at off hours. But that does NOT put me in a position where I feel comfort with surveillance of large parts of my personal communication (telephone and e-mail). I highly distrust the common arguments that links communication surveillance to prevention of terrorist acts. In the past, there might have been some evidence of this but it doesn't have to be like that forever.
My discomfort lies in the disbelief of human nature. Why should I trust all my governmental employees if they don't trust me? Can I ever be sure that their personal objectives will remain objective/neutral? Times are a-changing and in a near future some of these highly trusted agents might become directed by some other governmental regulations or recommendations.
A lot of Swedes are really disappointed on their political representatives because of their loss of engagement in any discussion regarding the kind of society developmental pathway we are taking by this initiative. It has been nick-named "Lex Orwell" for instance. Several IT-based international companies are now leaving Sweden because of this and the question is of there is a future for development of political ideas and open discussions any more? There is some time left before the legislation starts to become effective - but recent disclosures about FRA (acronym for the National Defence Radio Establishment) revealed that they have been storing data for some 10 years with unclear jurisdictional enforcements.
The main reason for me to start this blog today is to wake up citizens in other countries, in EU or elsewhere. Do we believe that anything is possible/necessary to enforce in order to control your citizens? Isn't it very much reminding us about the DDR or North Korea (DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea - isn't that a joke????). Maybe we need another definition of Democratic societies?
The latest news today in Sweden revealed that FRA now requests major grants for investments in new hardware (FRA is currently owner of the world's 11th most effective super computer) and new staff (some 200 people). Is this really what our society needs? Alternative investments are of course plentiful, social welfare investments, urgent infrastructural investmets etc.
2 comments:
Lycka till med nya bloggen! Har lagt den som bokmärke. Det ska bli intressant att få ta del av dina tankar och dina synpunkter!
Thanks for your interest. I'll hold on to English - that's Internet for me (and for training purposes).
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