So the UK is now at DEFCON -1, condition red, all-hands on deck which means that something somewhere is supposed to blow up.
It's currently at the point where all flights coming into Heathrow have been cancelled, hour-long delays are expected for all flights that *might* be leaving. The plot was supposed to blow up 9 (that number keeps increasing) flights headed to the US. Because of that, all hand luggage needs to be checked in the hold. You're only allowed to walk into your flight with a clear plastic bag holding your passport, keys (minus your electronic car fob), glasses (minus case) and essential sanitary and medical supplies. If you're traveling to the US, it's even worse.
Jeez, I'd prefer to cancel my flight rather than flying long-haul without a book, my ipod some earplugs and some food. All of which would not be allowed under current panic levels.
Now here's where the cynicism kicks in. Has Tony Blair taken a page from Dubya's Idiot's guide to governing by fear? The US masses are constantly being bombarded by messages of FEAR! FEAR! WAR ON TERROR! FEAR! GOD! FEAR! political kickback scandal FEAR! FEAR! WAR ON TERROR! GOD! MORALITY! FEAR! economic scandal FEAR!!!!
The department of homeland security in the US keeps the threat alert always at or above “elevated” (or 3 out of a possible 5). I'm pretty certain that it'll never be low, or even guarded. In essence, it's worthless at meaning anything useful, except to keep people worried and distracted so they can, essentially, be shafted by the powers that be.
Does the fact that this bomb plot happened now, when Swiss Tony is currently under pressure about his position on the current middle-east crisis and his government is being accused of being lapdogs to the Bush administration have any significance? Is that just the universe being its funny self again? I don't know. And that's where the cynicism kicks in…
My favourite quote:
Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday in the Caribbean
Not that he doesn't have the right to take time off every now and again, but is during the OH HOLY CRAP THE MIDDLE EAST IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE situation really the right time? Another BBC article tells us that John Prescott is in charge of running the country while he's away. *shudder*
*waves her 'I voted against the bastard' flag*
(http://livejournal.com/users/jenlittlebottom)
Wouldn't you rather be on a beach sipping on a mai-tai instead of being in the middle of this whomping big Can-o-Worms?
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)
You know, the UK was pretty creepy to visit because of the surveillance. And god. The US really needs to change it up.
(http://livejournal.com/users/pretentiousgit)
CCTV is a fact of life here. They say you're caught on camera on average 300 times a day.
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)
Yeah, I noticed. That and the whole You Can't Wear Your Hood Up Here, Because Then We Can't See Your Face. They also trace all texts, phone conversations, and internet posts, or so says that story about the kids in Leicester who were caught discussing a bomb in a video game and held for a few days on no evidence at all. A story told to me by my tour guide.
(http://livejournal.com/users/pretentiousgit)
haven't heard that one.
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)
You can't even have a BOOK??? A freaking piece of “PAPER”???
That does it the air pollution decreases the amount neurons and melt the grey matter :(
(http://livejournal.com/users/oraboras)
nope, no books allowed. no newspapers, no work papers, nothing.
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)