“In both cases it is the use of the full force of government power over relatively minor problems to the detriment of addressing major issues.
I pinged you because I thought you would be interested in another example of the British government being more concerned with noisy children than terrorism.
My fervent hope is that at some point you begin to think that an all powerful and unquestionable government is not your personal friend.”
Er, I don’t see the gov’t as my ‘personal friend’, this is a dangerous extension of police powers, the other matter is just encouraging citizens to help police their own community.
“By-the-way, it isn’t reporting vandalism that I object to so much as providing financial incentive to lie about one’s neighbors.”
Well, I assume it will require something like, I don’t know, evidence rather than heresay. If the accusation is unfounded, it will be ignored, or if persued it can be challenged in a court of law, and if the evidence is flimsy, it will be thrown out.
"Quick!--they're after you! The Kaitempi!"
"I've done nothing. I..."
"How long will it take to convince them of that? Run, you fool!"
(a little jewel for any Eric Frank Russell fans)...