To Orwell Today

Dear Jackie,

1984 is my favourite book. when i first read it at the age of 13, it changed my perspective on the world, and now, a mere 2 years later, it has been announced today the home secretary of the United Kingdom, Kenneth Clarke, has declared that forces in this country will be authorised to take any action against terror suspects of any race, to be put under house arrest, and constant survielance. Today, I believe, is the governments first step towards totalitariansm. I have believed since the first time I read the last page of Orwell's masterpiece, that this day would come within my lifetime. It has begun. One by one, countries around the world will cave into this way of collective 'security.' As I sit here in Airstrip 1, I know something needs to be done. Do you?

Yours sincerely,
Mathew Purvis, 15, England.

Greetings Mathew,

Yes, I know something needs to be done but the government empowered to represent the people of Britain (and those of other so-called "free and democratic" nations) is no different than the government in communist countries*. They're just like the pigs in Animal Farm. Here's from the last page of THAT book:

Congratulations on being the first person in the world to contact me about the Terror Bill story and point out its Orwellianisms. You snapped me out of the break I was taking. Typical 15 year old!

All the best,
Jackie Jura

PS - Here's from today's London Telegraph:

UK shake-up of anti-terror laws
Clarke announces major shake-up of anti-terror laws
Telegraph, Jan 26, 32005

Charles Clarke, Home Secretary, has announced plans to introduce control orders as part of a major shake-up in anti-terror legislation. The orders will be used "sparingly" but will include British nationals as well as foreign suspects. The range of powers under the orders will vary from keeping suspects under virtual house arrest to tagging, curfews, restriction on movement and the prohibition of access to telecommunications. They will be applied against those "containing and disrupting those who cannot be prosecuted or deported". He also plans to pursue the deportation of foreign nationals deemed a terror threat.

The package of proposals come in response to a House of Lords decision last December which said 12 foreign terror suspects held without trial are being held illegally. The 12 will continue to be held, mainly at Belmarsh in London, until the new legislation is introduced. Mr Clarke said the orders are "essential" following discussions with the police and taking into consideration the international situation. He said he accepted last month's House of Lords judgment but had a "heavy responsibility" to protect the safety of the nation. Mr Clarke added he had "no doubt" that the terror threat still existed.

The measure to imprison foreign nationals without trial was rushed through within weeks of the September 11 attacks. In an overwhelming condemnation of previous Home Secretary David Blunkett's Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act, the Law Lords ruled that it contravened human rights laws.

Mr Clarke said the new measures would be compatible with the EU Convention on Human Rights and answers the House of Lords' concerns about detaining only foreign nationals and lack of proportionality. David Davis, Shadow home secretary, said the measures would "undoubtedly" improve conditions for the Belmarsh detainees, but raised concerns over their extension to cover British subjects. Mr Davis called on Mr Clarke to bring arrangements for foreign terror suspects more in line with the normal rules of British justice, warning that the appearance of unfairness could breed more terror recruits.

*7.Sytems of Thought and TERROR BILL IS TERROR and 3.Surveillance and 20.Thought Police