₦airaland Forum

[size=14pt]The problem isn't Jacqui Smith, the problem is the government[/size]

It's only been a matter of time before Jacqui Smith came face to face with the resignation question.

She's never been particularly likeable, although, to be fair, no-one is charismatic enough to appear likeable while selling the inane and vindictive policies emanating from the Home Office recently. The expenses scandal serious damaged her both in terms of her crude claim for a second home allowance and the renting of questionable movies using public money.

But the final nail on the coffin, according to the growing media consensus, is the Damian Green affair. This is an unfortunate angle for newspapers to take. We're in danger of overlooking the real problems through an unhelpful concentration on personality. Jacqui Smith is not the problem. The British government is the problem.

The decision to pursue Green on the basis of national security typifies what has happened to the Home Office since September 11th. Two phrases have become widespread, spreading disinformation and covering up a myriad of government aims: national security and terrorism.

This morning, the home secretary was forced into launching a consultation on local councils snooping on resident using the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), a piece of legislation which was always sold as concerning terrorism and serious organised crime. When RIPA was passed, only nine organisations- including police and security services - were allowed to use it. Now 795 bodies, including all 475 local authorities, may do so. They have opted to do so in the most juvenile and predatory manner imaginable, by spying on people to discover whether they are lying about their school catchments area, or for dog littering, or for putting their rubbish out on the wrong day. And why not? They took their inspiration from the government: justify yourself with terrorism, and then do whatever you want.

Protests are now regularly policed under anti-terror laws, despite being quite the opposite - an expression of why our country is a decent and free place to live. And not just large, street-level demos. Remember Walter Wolfgang, the 82 year old daring enough to shout "nonsense" when Jack Straw was speaking precisely that at the 2005 Labour conference? He was held under anti-terror legislation. It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.

ID cards, one of the most spectacularly ill-thought-through policies of recent times - on any number of levels - are based on terrorism as well, despite the fact that it is near-on impossible to find a security analyst willing to concur with this view.

Earlier this month it became illegal to take photographs of police officers. Read that sentence again and fully take it in. A little earlier in the year photography which could be of assistance to terrorists was also made illegal. That is, of course, basically all photography, whenever it is in the interests of government or the police to confiscate cameras or film.

Now the upcoming data communication bill plans to put all phone calls, emails and texts on a centralised database. Earlier this month, all internet users' emails and online phone calls began being stored. They didn't even bother going through parliament, they just expanded an EC directive on telecom providers. Now, the Home Office is looking at how to establish similar programmes for social networking site like Facebook or MySpace. When new technology rears its head, the government's first reaction is to find out how to control it. Why? Because of terrorism. Because of national security.

The government does care about terrorism, for three reasons. Firstly, it's populated by humans, who, despite their capacity for brutality, generally do care when fellow humans are blown up. Secondly, because terrorist atrocities are an electoral disaster. And thirdly, because even in the age of al-Qaida terrorism, the ultimate goal of terrorists will be to hit the seat of government. Eventually, it would be politicians in the firing line, not commuters.

But the British government instantly understood how anti-terrorism rhetoric could make its life easier. It is in the nature of government to gather as much information as possible, so it can make more efficient decisions. It's in the nature of government to want as little opposition as possible. It's not particularly malevolent; it's just the nature of the beast. And so we have seen the blurring of the line between dissent and terrorism. And we have seen it eat up our data - despite being entirely unable to guarantee it won't be lost or stolen - with wanton abandon. And now, opposition politicians embarrassing the government are arrested, dragged to a police station and told they could face life imprisonment. All because of 'national security'.

Governments throughout history have used exactly the same smokescreen for the same reasons. And now our government is doing it. Replacing Jacqui Smith isn't just pointless; it's unhelpful, because it drags the debate away from what really needs to be done. If only our problems could be solves by a prompt sacking. They can't. They are much more severe and deep-seated than that. They won't be fixed until the people of Britain decide they won't accept their rights and privacy being taken away anymore.

Ian Dunt

Source

Jakumo:
In a related development, The Federal Republic of Nairaland's Minister of Outer Space Technology, Double-Chief Professor Alhaji BecomeRich MD, has issued a categorical denial of his involvement in the trafficking and usage of Lizard Chit and Gutter Water cocktails prior to his approval of recent satellite image enlightenment campaigns on the internet. 

Photographs clearly showing His Excellency inhaling and even drinking these mind-ravaging intoxicants have been described by ministry spokesmen as "cleverly doctored fakes", created and circulated by "enemies of progress" , who are "bent on tarnishing the image of His Excellency" .

Just when I thought the story contained with this thread was more than enough to tear out my ''jocular cavity'', you come-up with this related and recent development?. . . . . . You are a certified mad man!!!!

@ Poster,

After reading your input, I seem a bit confused to the topic. Should the topic have been:

a) What's The Duty of Pregnant Wife In Marriage?

b) What's A Woman's Duty in Marriage?

That said, there are no two words to your woman. She is a parasitic loafer (My apologies, she is still your wife though). Early pregnancy does not imply a period of laziness. I suggest you communicate with her, to state where you are aggrieved on this matter. Probably she has plausible explanations to her plight which you as a man may not see at the moment.

Nevertheless, this is a clarion call to all the men out there, no all that glitters is gold. Too many nonsense around these days.

Absolute rubbish!

The end has not been heard of this matter. True justice will prevail, and Ibinabo will see and cherish the four corners of Kirikiri prison.

If this was to happen in Nigeria, the le fenu so peeps (naysayers), would have been shouting he is feeding on nescience and impecuniosity of the people to enrich himself. Now it is in the UK, can someone please tell me, whether the same is obtainable?

Those saying he should re-apply. . . .If you are caught in the UK or US for expired papers. . . .You are considered illegal and deported. . . .never to return, . . In other words. .  .banned from the country. . . .And you flippn tell him to go and re-apply. . . . .Wake up guyz. . . . .and cool fm is such stupid radio station

No, you are considered illegal and asked to leave. There is a choice given to you, leave of your own freewill or you would be forced to leave (deportation). There is no where in the immigration law that says, he cannot re-apply. If there is, please kindly quote it out.

Dan Foster can re-apply for a visa to enter Nigeria, nothing stopping him from doing that.

@ topic,

Yes I have cheated quite a couple of times. But it is another subject of discussion for another time though.

No I would not. There are too many issues attached to it. The child or children may never want to accept me into their mother's life. There is also the social stigma, where everyone tends to view one as going after a woman who is already ''after one.'' But if the children are ready to see me as playing a fatherly role to them, and the woman in question loves me, possibly then. . . . . . . I may consider it.

From both Nigeria and the UK.

Well, I guess I just have to face the solicitors then.

Wifey a Nymphomaniac? Bring it on!!!!!!

@ Jericho,

Many thanks for your response. My apologies for not furnishing you with enough details in respect to what documents I was referring to. That said, the documents in questions are certificates and academic credentials.

All the solicitors I have been calling here in the UK, are charging 5Pounds to certify each page. Which to me is utterly ridiculous. Hence my question, whether it is only solicitors who can certify photocopies of documents as true copies.

@ Poster,

I want to certify some documents as true copies. Must it be only a solicitor that can handle it for me? Who else can certify documents as true copies?

@ Cristalz,
Are you law trained as well? You glaringly strike me as one though.

kanayo74:
emotional cheating should not be handled alone in  my own opinion.
this is because the person involved will never change since he believes it can be handled alone.
by so doing he gets too deep and gets to a point of no return which leads to the destruction of a relationship.
the best way out is to talk about it.
it helps

Hmmm, does anyone have a counter argument to what you have stated here? I believe Secretz stated this:

Secretz:
Think it should be dealt with personally, until you feel  or believe it maybe getting out of hand or result in physical cheating, then being truthful and honest about it to your partner is the way!!  

Secretz:
Think it should be dealt with personally, until you feel  or believe it maybe getting out of hand or result in physical cheating, then being truthful and honest about it to your partner is the way!!  

No I do not believe every form of cheating should be relayed to your partner, this i getting me thinking Pataki, I have a thread to post in mind,

The first paragraph is very true. Please post the thread as you intended to.

Secretz:
Ok, I understand what you're saying, but any form of cheating if exposed will naturally  change the dynamics of a relationship, however, I believe this should only be temporary! If you decide to stay with the cheater in question whatever kind of cheating it is then you have agreed to move on from it, but!!! It will still change the dynamics of the relationship and I personally believe it should only change temporarily. I mean come on, if I found out my man cheated today, and I forgave him next week, atleast for some weeks etc, things wont be the same, but I will most CERTAINLY NOT allow it to drag!!! Most importantly being honest and truthful especially with reference to emotional cheating is the way!

It should ULTIMATELY change the dynaimcs for the better!  

Hmmmmm! I think you are right here. But do you truly believe in the notion every form of cheating should and must be relayed to one's partner?

If we are indeed to be sincere to ourselves, any form of cheating once discovered, never restores the relationship back to its original bliss.

maray:
you are a cheat,only if u are caught.

WOW!!!! I love this!

kanayo74:
pataki emotional cheating can be handle by being
truthful
try not to be too emotionally involved or attached in the things u cant do openly.
and most of all trying to clear thoughts that makes ur heart skip

Should emotional cheating be handled personally or with your partner? Would it not change the dynamics of your relationship?

I think, emotional cheating is best handled personally. It keeps the sanity of your relationship, but then again, it depends on the person though.

Secretz:
No, not every form of cheating will lead to a break up, but it may indeed change the dynamics of the relationship (if exposed), and I believe the best way to handle emotional cheating needs to be dealt with by the person who is has
committed  the emotional cheating! 

See this is one of the problems. Why should a form of cheating change the dynamics of the relationship? Agreed that there are various forms of cheating. . . . . . could either of partners not as well reason that at various point in times, they have committed one form of cheating?

In my opinion, I think the fundamental concept of cheating leading to changes in relationship dynamics is really flawed!

kanayo74:
to me cheating is  when u do what u cant do in the presence of the person concerned .
you dont have to have sex or talk but action can also be seen as cheating.

Do you have examples to such actions that could be portrayed as cheating? I would be extremely delighted to have you cite examples or possibly references.

@ ikeyman00,

Who changes your diaper? Is he/she not around? You intellectually stink! I have asked you a simple question. Could you answer it, rather than throwing your tantrums here and there?

Here it is once more:

Pataki:
Just as a brain teaser; tell us one credible thing Soludo has done for Nigeria aside that he is Igbo?

[quote author=*Hauwa* link=topic=260731.msg3735202#msg3735202 date=1239838263]ummmm surprise, Pataki so you do watch Nollywood movies? ummm, o ga o [/quote]The first set of movies to be produced in Nigeria was: ''Living in Bondage''. I used to be a Nigerian movie fan back in the early 90's until a lot of nonsense and degradation encroached into the Nigerian movie industry. Nevertheless, I still keep abreast to things. Women appreciate men who can sit with them and watch these movies, however nonsensical most of them are.

@ Topic,
First thing first, I would say, by Nigerian standards this is a very good production. Good and appropriate camera usage. Nice video clarity and shooting. Good language expression. Was the story line perfect? Not all. Was there any morale to the story? No. Clearly there were concepts drawn from some Hollywood movies such as: ''Why Did I Get Married?'' by Tyler Perry which was used with the video, but the some of the story lines could have been better. The story line of: ''Chelsea & Edwin'' - ''Osita & Tayo'' were precisely fine, intriguing and totally captivating. Probably because Desmond was the script writer and he played the role of Osita. The roles of Van Vicker & Stephanie Okereke alongside with Femi & Tracy were not splendid and their ending was not fun to me. Their part showed so many lacking quality to the consistency of the movie.

The song tracks used with the video was nice. More interesting that it was home made music used, as a means of promoting our own local music. I give it good applause for that. I could go with the plus and minus to the movie, but let me stop here.

On the whole, I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Interesting to read various responses to the question. On the general, it seems everyone agrees to cheating, goes beyond sex with your partner. Which arguably, is true. However, does one tell his/her partner when found to be cheating in whatever form? Is every form of cheating expected to lead to a break-up? How best can emotional cheating be handled?

[quote author=oyb v1.01 link=topic=261952.msg3736653#msg3736653 date=1239878559] [/quote]You are a criminal.

ikeyman00:
mr pataki

hmmm u must be havin a laugh; u never taught ikeyman is so powerful to mess with; there u go

becomerich na una yoruba get am, not ikeyman oo hha

cheeky folks very very koni people for here ooo chie

it no easy ooo god ooo

There is a difference between ''taught'' and ''thought''. Keep disgracing your Igbo brothers with your pathetic attempt to communicate in English. 

You sure got so much nonsense stuck-up in your brain.

Just as a brain teaser; tell us one credible thing Soludo has done for Nigeria aside that he is Igbo?

As Becomrrich is a curse to the Yorubas, so is ikeyman00 to the Igbos.

Both spew the greatest tribalistic bollocks ever imagined on nairaland.

tpia:
please, its better the way he quickly modified it before people like me faint from shame.

Hahahahahaha, but it makes the thread and its respondents look stupid, when all the content to the ensuing discourse raised here has been wiped off by the original poster.

@ Hauwa,
How you dey? I saw your comment on the movies section. I would respond appropriately.

Can the moderator please delete this stupid thread off?

See why there should be no modification button on nairaland? The poster has gone to wipe off/modify the original content of discourse of this thread.

What a waste of time.

@ Poster,

Aside your poor grammar sentences and typographical errors, you also have a poor mindset. Why were you playing with a woman's emotion for five years? All of a sudden it hits you like lightening, that she has high temperament. Aside that, you have availed yourself of some foolish ideologies, which I expected a scientifically - medically trained doctor to question what are the logicalities to my reasoning?

That said, if you believe your wife is a white woman, fine. No offense with your stand and belief on that. But to tender such reasoning as read from your input, as actual conviction to your decision, then safely know that something is wrong with you.

In case it missing on you, the final is: Arsenal Vs Barcelona! Go and write it down that Pataki said so. Funny, how you chelsea peeps keep referring to last season? What did you make out of last season? ZILCH! So sharrap on that one.

Even my question asked at you, provided no answer. How splendid! Chelsea is used to defeat? Of course. Who does not know that one? I am so expectant with this weekend!

Have you heard of the Messi? Any Bayern fan can relate it better to you.

Local champions?? Remind whose team was taking in goals from Liverpool two days ago? Before you begin to ejaculate your win, can you remind me who you are facing next? What tools and mechanisms do you have to handle Lionel Messi alone when Chelsea faces Barca? Lionel Messi will mercilessly disgrace you people. Kindly never report here to pour your frustrations after your ordeal.

At least we are confident that we are battling volleyball players not footballers!

While watching a Nollywood movie (Reloaded), one of the actresses in the movie asked the question raised as the headliner of this thread. Stating her own line of thoughts on the matter.

I thereafter asked myself, is it until when I sleep with another woman, that I am actually cheating on my woman? What of, when I focus my attention and thoughts on some other emotional matters other than my partner, am I not cheating on my woman? A simple cursory glance of the definition of cheating defines it as:

Cheating:
[list]
[li]Informal. to be sexually unfaithful [/li]
[li]to practice fraud or deceit[/li]
[li]a person who acts dishonestly, deceives, or defrauds[/li][/list]

Therefore, how do you define your own cheating? Either as a male gender or a female gender. Must cheating only be viewed from the angle of sexual deceit in a relationship? Are there any other forms or variations to cheating?

Please air your views.

When at first, I saw this thread, I thought it was a Hollywood movie that was the subject of discussion. When I read the inputs therein, realized, oh it is one of those Nigerian - Nollywood movies again.

But yesterday, while chatting with a friend of mine who was at work in Lagos, I noticed her responses were slow, I thereon inquired what she was doing. She told me she was watching ''Reloaded'' on youtube inside the toilet while at work! That definitely got me interested in seeing what the movie was all about. Prolly another Jenifa - Suliat hype movies again.

I have seen the movie, and I am coming back to give my own opinion of the movie. Based on the character of:

Chelsea and Edwin

Osita and Tayo

Bube and (Stephanie)

Femi and Tracy

I have never gone this deranged in a long while over GUNNERS!!!!!!!

World-class performance! Even Prof Wenger was jubilating!!

Our defence was lacking. . . . . imagine the roll call. . . . . .  No Sagna, No Clichy, No Almunia, No Gallas, but yet, THEO WALCOTT!!, ADEBAYOR!, EBOUE!! [/b]and my all time sensation - [b]FABREGASM! ensured the day went to GUNNERS.

I am definitely confident, re-assured, relaxed, comfortable, dauntless, cocksure, convinced, self-assured, that the DEVIL(s) is/are in trouble!!!!

BTW, please tell SAF in advance, that we are playing football not volleyball when we meet!

[quote author=oyb v1.01 link=topic=247112.msg3730731#msg3730731 date=1239782835]is pataki vs spikey the next nl romance [/quote]Alfa oyinbo,

You have been banned? What was your offence? Madam reported you, for not buying her a 70K worth of bag?

spikedcylinder:
Inyama. Who be Pataki?

Mschewwwwwwwwwwww. . . . . . . Can you please remind me, who started this thread?

It is a relative answer.