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I read recently that you can now be sent to prison for 500 things you couldn't be banged up for in 1997. I dont recall thinking at that time 'Oh, there are lots of things that should result in a prison term that dont now.' Waiting in the wings is a nasty piece of legislation outlawing 'extreme' material of a sexual nature, a proposal so ill defined that you will soon discover a lot of what we take for granted in our internet trawling might not only get you 6 months if its found on your hard drive next time you get a visit from plod, but also a listing on the sex offenders list. And you thought that was for paedophiles and rapists. Have a look at the indispensible melonfarmers for the whole frightening story.

Unfortuately even when Blair finally buggers off, we can expect Brown to be even more censorious and interferring in our private lives.

I have been predicting this for a long time but have been called paranoid and a conspiracy theory nut, however the Draconian measures brought in to "protect us" from, initially, paedo's i.e. the possession of an image, was ALWAYS destined to be appiled, slowly but surely, to "other porn" (while I don't class photograph's of child abuse "PORN", unfortunately everybody in this media-led society has done, thus it is). What is acceptable today can be taboo tomorrow. They start with things with that are in no acceptable to the majority and will then apply this to other types of niche porn. I personally believe the prolifferation and growth of porn is just a measure of drawing people in, the world HAS gone mad and we seemed destined to slide into a sea of false criminality whilst the politicians and their colleagues in law rub their hands together and think of some more legislation to neuter us with.
And porn is just the tip of the iceberg.
I don't care if you don't believe me, just bear this in mind for the future. As far as I can see the overwhelming decline in freedom and liberty in the last five years indicates that the next five will get even worse.

Dynatech wrote:'As far as I can see the overwhelming decline in freedom and liberty in the last five years indicates that the next five will get even worse.'
You better believe it. I for one am fed up with restrictive legislation the government say is needed to protect us from terrorists, sex-fiends, stalkers, animal rights folk, demonstators, that bloke down the street who is a bit strange but not dangerous....A law brought in specifically for one pupose is usually within a week being used against those we were told it wasn't for. As a case in point, the first 5 prosecutions under stalking laws, were against people protesting against animal testing, not nutter ex-boy friends with a gun. A cabal in No.10 has an agenda to massively concentrate power in the hands of central government, and hugely restrict our lives, rights to protest, to assemble, to just be without interference in our private lives. Just wait for the ID card scheme, then you'll know what the arrogance of authority really is.

Not only that, but why when clamouring for more laws and "protection" do people not understand these bastards are looking after their own. More laws and legislation = more work from Cherie & co.
I am afraid that my opinion is that idiocy and inaction are the true enemy and 90% of people are guilty of encouraging this appalling decline by simply accepting everything they are told.

You wont find me standing up for Cherie Blair too often, but to be fair, the work she often does is to protect and defend people from the excesses of her husband's actions. She makes most of her serious money from commercial and company law, and they can pay a lot.

You're right. The question is what can be done about it? At the very least if you're concerned about this, join up to an organisation like Amnesty International or Liberty.

Dedicate ?50 or ?100 of your cash and a few hours of your time to some organisation that is working to protect freedom. Then persuade one other person to do the same. It may seem like a token gesture, but would you rather just sit and watch as we lose our freedom?

[quote]I read recently that you can now be sent to prison for 500 things you couldn't be banged up for in 1997.[/quote]

I bet there were 500 things you could be banged up for in 1997 that you couldn't be banged up for in 1987. (Theft of an mp3 player is one!) In 1987 you could be banged up for theiving a microwave, impossible in 1977. Get my point?

Laws change to try and keep up with new threats. On one hand, people complain about ibiding to laws from the Victorian era, then complain again when new laws are introduced for a newer society!

On the flip side of 'your' coin, I bet there are 500 things that's 'legal' now, but was 'illegal' in the past! Progress isn't made by standing still, and that includes law.

Also, we're freer than nearly any other nation on Earth today, and the Earth is freer than at anytime since civilisation began. Think about it..............no longer than that...........What will Mr Blair gain from an authoritarian government that denies freedoms? He'll not always be in power and his children and grandchildren won't benefit will they?

My advice is to question new law, but be realistic........oh yeah..... enjoy your freedom, because there are people allover the world who envy you.

I didn't mean it in the sense that you now be sent down for the theft of anything that wasn't around then, I mean that hundreds of new offences have been created by this government in its obsesive desire to control our lives. Quite possibly some of these new offences are for the best, but the fact remains Blair is legislation mad.
At least we can produce, buy, own, etc most porn without the 6 o'clock knock on the door.