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OLO: here's to the next ten years : Comments
By Graham Young, published 6/4/2009Judging on OLO's past, the future won't happen as fast as we think it will
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In the 4 years I've been commenting on OLO and writing the occasional article, I've noticed that readers are now much more well disposed to discussion of national security issues (security AND defence). Their views are more sophisticated and tolerant.
Even when people rubbish my views I respect them if they argue their side well and keep on topic.
OLO provides an invaluable and instant communications service to expose and sometimes anticipate how Government's abuse the public and in doing so abuse security/defence employee's. This has occurred through such episodes as:
- invasion of Iraq/WMDs
- immigration concentration camps
- Tampa
- Children Overboard
- Haneef and
- Fitzgibbon's Silk/Smokescreen.
Any mention of ASIO or Federal Police four years ago used to bring on accusations of sundry shirtlifting - an opportunity for tired uni slogans about fascist gumshoes.
But the arrests that resulted from Operation Pendennis http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1500743.htm in November 2005 persuaded many people that there was some need for security. See also http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24350617-28737,00.html .
Howard probably then went overboard amplifying balanced threat assessments for his own political advantage.
The Haneef Affair in 2007 certainly exposed Howard's scare/electoral tactics.
Both sides of politics will continue to criticise, use and abuse security and intelligence bodies for cynical politicals ends.
It is up to OLO to keep the politicians honest, to walk where the mainstream media fears to tread, while critically monitoring the activities of security and defence bodies.
Regards
Peter Coates
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/author.asp?id=4452