Thursday, December 4
The Dailyish News Round-Up
'Terrorist' Suspects - What has happened to the 500 people arrested so far under the Terrorisim Act 2000? 2 have been convicted, 77 have been charged under the Terrorism Act itself, and many of the others charged for different offences, including credit card fraud and immigration irregularities. To me, this is a disgusting abuse of power. As the report says, it seems that the police and other authorities are merely 'fishing' for those who they suspect of other crimes, and using the Terrorism Act as a cover. Also, media sensationalism about various arrests made in the past couple of years have not been found to be true, or at least have not been followed-up on by a charge and conviction. The government is using the Terrorism Act and these arrests to reinforce the fear of terrorism within the public at large, so that they can get away with a multitude of other wrongdoings.
Bush Backs Down Over Steel Tariffs - The best news I've heard from the other side of the pond in a long time. Finally, the WTO and pressure from its members has had an effect on the US. The first of many, I hope.
America's War On Nature - The subject of the Kyoto Treaty has come up recently on RAGE, and the absence of the US from the Treaty has provoked a lot of criticism. However, it seems that most of the environmental damage being done to America is controlled and accepted by its government, since the worst pollutants are, shall we say, 'friends' of the Bush administration. Ain't nothing like corporate power.
Can US Back Up Firefight Claims? - It seems that inconsistent / just plain wrong reporting has once again been coming from the US forces in Iraq, this time concerning a recent firefight. The US forces claim 54 dead, whereas hospital reports tell of less than 10 fatalities. The fog of war is still lying heavily in Iraq.
