from time to time, i mention that oz is drifting into fascism, that '1984' has only been delayed even though newspeak has become the national language.

in the smh today, on page forty-eleven with small caps, the coy announcement that the iemma government has authorized the police to institute surveillance of anyone for 5 days without troubling a judge.

another step, with the 'anti-terrorism' laws, towards government control. failure to put this notice on the front page over the 'may be a rate rise in november' story shows how concerned the press is about freedom.

i expect supine acceptance of this further incursion by the government into the freedom of the paddock which oz sheep have been accustomed to. it could hardly be otherwise. unlike the frog in the soup pot, ozzians are just too dim to jump.

Even before today's Iemma proclaimation, the Police Commissioner indicated that he would ignore a High Court ruling over where protesters could go during APEC. The Court did agree with the police. Just the same, the Premier should have kicked the Commissioner so hard in the rear-end, the State's senior police office should now be orbiting Jupiter.

Judicial oversight is a must given the nature of politicians and the police.

Democracy is precious and we can't let a few power hungry opportunist wreck it

DEMOS whats the problem? It makes it easier to get more evidence on crims! Instead of having to jump through burning hoops to get evidence against them.

I think its an excellent move and a step in the right direction!

Be careful with what we are willing to give up... The loss may be
far greater then we realize and once given up - we may never get it back...People died so that we could have certain freedoms, rights, and privileges - let's not give these up so easily or go quietly into the night...

1984 really commences when they try to E-tag everyone. This in Revelation 13:16-18/14:9-11 is commonly called the mark of the beast...the beast being the coming (final) great world dictator. Many believe he is alive today. Already the microchip on either the right hand or forhead is getting a subtle mention. I hear even the Australian banks are part of it. They certainly have knowledge of it. But you dont have to take it. Hundreds of millions of christians will refuse and rely upon The Lord each day for Provision.

Dear Gibo,

The Lord helps those who help themselves ...