NationStates Jolt Archive

£200 million of public money. That's how much the British Government intends to shell out for the success of their 42 day detention without charge.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jun/11/terrorism.northernireland
DUP likely to rescue Brown in 42 day vote

Ministers are increasingly optimistic that the government will win today's vote on pre-charge detention for up to 42 days with the support of the nine Democratic Unionists MPs, following negotiations to strengthen the finances of the Northern Ireland executive.

...

If the nine DUP MPs vote with the government, defeat would require around 50 Labour MPs to rebel and that seems unlikely.

...

The DUP insists it will make a decision based on principles, but is also seeking concessions on retaining water charge revenues, which are scheduled to be phased in over two years.

There was speculation at Westminster last night that up to £200m has been placed on the table for Northern Ireland...
This just makes me sick. And there's not a damned thing the public can do about it.

This just makes me sick. And there's not a damned thing the public can do about it.
Technically, yes they can. The government is nothing more then the servant of the people, if the people is unified enough they can kick that servant out. 'The people shouldn't be afraid of the government, the government should be afraid of the people.' ;)

But that aside, I doubt such draconian laws actually help.

Ironically, the price of "freedom" is freedom, and vice-versa.

Ironically, the price of "freedom" is freedom, and vice-versa.

My sense of irony must be getting rusty. Because that sounds more like nonsense ...?

It could, even if it is unlikely, get kicked out by the Lords. They can delay ordinary legislation for up to a year, and unless Gordon decides to cling on for as long as legally possible, Gordon hasn't got.

My sense of irony must be getting rusty. Because that sounds more like nonsense ...?

Dammit, you're right, irony's not the right word :headbang:

It loses something in the translation :p

Dammit, you're right, irony's not the right word :headbang:
Is "Paradoxically" the word you're looking for? In any case, my focus on this isn't about the acquisition of freedom - it's about how, right now, freedom is literally being sold off.

It could, even if it is unlikely, get kicked out by the Lords. They can delay ordinary legislation for up to a year, and unless Gordon decides to cling on for as long as legally possible, Gordon hasn't got.
It shouldn't have to come to that. I think Great Dawn is right on the fact that Brown should be made to fear the electorate, rather than us needing to have all these little political hacks in place to stop him buying dictatorship.

It loses something in the translation :p

You could try double-translating it.

First, do a "translate from Nonsense to Gibberish." Copy and paste the Gibberish (which you don't need to understand, really) into the input box, and do a "translate from Gibberish to Irony."

If the entire Internet stops working, we'll know who to blame. :)

I've always held that the Price of Freedom is Money.
Freedom is great if you have money in your pocket, if not you want Free Stuff.

Is "Paradoxically" the word you're looking for? In any case, my focus on this isn't about the acquisition of freedom - it's about how, right now, freedom is literally being sold off.

Bah. It's politics.

Don't take one piece of legislation in isolation. The Northern Irish wanted the money, they'd have got it one way or the other. Personally, I think pork-barelling as though they were just an electorate isn't good strategy, they should be using whatever voting leverage they have to get more legislative autonomy. But it's up to them, really.

If you have any faith in representative democracy, you have to accept that these things even out, and in the end you get a mix of policy according to the proportion of the population who voted for a particular policy. Parties really confuse that process, because you can't vote for one policy in isolation, you have to take the package. As an Aussie, believe me I am keenly aware of how the Westminster system needs overhauling. But really, the actual mechanics of a political deal aren't the point, it's the outcome and whether the policy is really implemented in the way the voters thought they voted for it to be.

And sadly, a huge majority of British support the 42-day extension. So it was going to happen somehow.

(Shit like that wouldn't happen if I was in charge. I'm sure there is some very good reason why I'm NOT in charge, but I can't think too good just now or I'd fix that.

*thumps chest in a manly fashion*
*collapses coughing and gasping for breath*)

It shouldn't have to come to that. I think Great Dawn is right on the fact that Brown should be made to fear the electorate, rather than us needing to have all these little political hacks in place to stop him buying dictatorship.

That doesn't make much sense. Isn't he just about certain to lose the next election?

What I'm saying is that it's the executive which is extending its powers dangerously, not any individual. Does the Opposition oppose?

The price of freedom is blood. It must be won again and again. *Grabs gun. Realizes no one is with him. Drops gun and spreads discord*