11.21.06
Tony Blair proposes network of ‘Supernannies’
“Tony Blair has unveiled plans to introduce nearly 80 ‘Supernannies’ to help parents tame unruly children.
Up to £4 million is to be spent on creating a network of experts in a bid to tackle the roots of anti-social behaviour, according to the Prime Minister.” (Source: Telegraph | News | Blair proposes network of ‘Supernannies’)
Guess I was wrong about “anti-social” being code for “illegal”.
Later though, good old Tony goes on to reinforce the big-brotherism in British government:
“Laying the ground for the publication of proposals to force more fathers and mothers to attend parenting classes, Mr Blair said that an ‘overwhelming majority’ of people would welcome outside assistance.”
Hmm.
I’m not 100% sure I disagree with the usefulness of mandatory parenting classes; there are an awful lot of parents who could benefit from them out there. On the other hand, I’m sure a lot of people would say that I’m one of those parents, and I’m 100% sure there’s no good solution to determine who should decide who’s a good parent and who’s not. Not that that’ll stop old Tony.
London Beat officers to use head cameras
Police are to use head-mounted video cameras to help in the fight against anti-social behaviour. (Source: BBC NEWS | UK | England | London | Beat officers to use head cameras)
Hmm. My wife and I are heading to London next year, and we’ve recently discussed the pros and cons of Britain’s surveillance state. Questions of who decides what’s “anti-social” aside (I have to assume that’s a British way of saying “against to law”), I don’t know whether to find this creepy or not. There are certainly all sorts of reasons to find it oppressive, but also some not to. Especially if the coppers are open and transparent with the content captured by the cameras. We certainly don’t hear much about police brutality in Britain, though I’m sure that’s at least partly due to my not living there.
I think they should supply a similar percentage of the general populace with head-mounted cameras, just to make things fair….
via Engadget
Currently listening to Do You Feel Loved by U2 from Pop.
Mexican leftist declares himself ‘president’ – Los Angeles Times
“Lopez Obrador, who says he was cheated out of victory, holds a ceremony to declare himself the real leader.” (Source: Mexican leftist declares himself ‘president’ – Los Angeles Times)
Now why, oh why, didn’t Al Gore think of that?
