Peoples Geography — Reclaiming space

9 Responses to “This is what a police state looks like”

1. Police state « Keeping it Small and Simple Says:
   18 February, 2008 at 6:21 pm

   [...] — Tags: America, Fascism, police state, Politcs — Lorenzo E. Danielsson @ 08:21 Watch this if you think fascism died after [...]
2. Dave On Fire Says:
   18 February, 2008 at 8:21 pm

   Thank you for posting this!
3. LDU Says:
   18 February, 2008 at 9:40 pm

   This video didn’t surprise me at all. There are also similar trends going on here.

   There are quite a number of members of the Muslim community who have been phoned by ASIO (many more will be phoned as it’s an ongoing process) and asked to attend “interviews” at cafes, libraries, parks etc… and being questioned about their political beliefs regarding Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. After these “interview” sessions, they’re advised to keep the meeting secret.

   Why would a Government agency want to keep tabs on its citizens political beliefs? People may argue in the name of national security – “so we know who they are” – (and there’s no doubt that our national security should be of paramount concern), but using such dodgey methods just doesn’t cut it with me.
4. ressentiment Says:
   19 February, 2008 at 3:58 am

   Thanks for the ASIO acronym, LDU. They’re hiring, quite transparently. Junior Stasi, no experience necessary, training provided. Free binoculars, decoder ring.

   The Role of a Surveillance Officer

   Surveillance plays a vital role within ASIO by providing specialised assistance to investigations. As a Surveillance Officer, you’ll be observing targets of national security investigations – watching people or places either on foot, in vehicles or from static locations.

   Your duties may involve:

   * Planning and conducting surveillance activities
   * Reporting on surveillance investigations and operations, using photographic, technical or IT equipment
   * Formulating and presenting advice based on, and relating to, the collection of intelligence

   Working individually, or more commonly, in a team, your work can vary dramatically in a week. You may be tasked across a range of areas and will be expected to travel interstate, often at short notice. Your working hours will be arranged on a shift pattern and will include weekend work and frequent roster changes.

   As a Trainee Surveillance Officer you’ll receive a salary of $49,280. Upon successful completion of your traineeship, your salary range will be $56,511 to $61,686 plus a shift and disabilities allowance of $12,056 per annum and a clothing allowance of $1,021 (male) or $1,226 (female).

   We also provide superannuation, five weeks annual leave and flexible tax-effective salary packaging.

   Nice to know we’re not the only ones with a blooming “security” industry in the United States.

   Misery loves company.
5. thepoetryman Says:
   19 February, 2008 at 3:54 pm

   I watched this video over a year ago and found myself enthralled at our ignorance. At our recollection of even recent history not to mention the history of long ago.

   It has been said that all good men need do is nothing…indeed.
6. peoplesgeography Says:
   19 February, 2008 at 4:09 pm

   Thanks, LDU. While security is important, I think interviewing people about their political beliefs crosses a line. All these interview officers must be what is in part behind the recruitment drive Ressentiment has pointed to … The ads are everywhere, in national press, television ads, I even saw them in MX, a free daily paper given out to commuters here. They’ve even reached Ressentiment across the globe! I’m guessing they’ll just love Arabic speakers and other languages such as Hindi etc.

   I read yesterday that the bungle with vindicated terror suspect Dr. Haneef used up the resources of a whopping 475 police officers, including 249 Australian Federal Police who were involved in the investigation, and cost Australian taxpayers $7.5 million. Blooming security industry indeed.

   Great to see you, Poetry Man. Something Susan Jacoby wrote in a piece yesterday struck me, that “the inability to concentrate for long periods of time — as distinct from brief reading hits for information on the Web — seems to me intimately related to the inability of the public to remember even recent news events.” This article might interest you if you haven’t already seen it, it has relevance to all of our societies, not just our friends in the US.

   Maybe one of the best thing we can do for our minds is to simply read a book.
7. libhomo Says:
   24 February, 2008 at 6:41 am

   The technological ease with which people can be spied on is one of the biggest cultural changes in the past 50 years. It is being used routinely by individuals, corporations, and governments. Yet, it receives very little public discussion.
8. Bluebear2 Says:
   29 February, 2008 at 9:27 am

   Myspace TV now says:

   This video was deleted.

   Go figure!
   :mad:
9. peoplesgeography.com Says:
   29 February, 2008 at 12:24 pm

   Thanks for the heads up, BB2. I’ve replaced it with the same video hosted at Google vids.