Copy that Poirot,

Will any spin doctors not on 457 visas and not born in Scotland take one step forward.

Not so fast McTurdman.

Anyway Poirot, we don’t need to pay for McTurdman to go, we get to vote him out in September.

As for CCTV technicians, we won’t need them anyway under my plan. It will all be military technology and can be upgraded to integrate with 24/7 drone technology for greater coverage. Telephone taps, internet monitoring, bank account and social security hacking are so passé, after all everyone is doing that now sweetie.

I also envisage being able to add a much wider range of “eligible offenses” to the system as needed.

All we need to complete this is Suppression of free speech in the media, a Human rights Charter, a government monopoly of the internet and government internet filters.

Oh sorry Poirot I forgot to mention we are nearly there already! Tick.

Dear Belly,

There is one aspect about those cameras not yet mentioned:
They prevent orthodox Jews from leaving their home on the Sabbath (even for going to synagogue).

According to Judaism, activating an electrical current is equivalent to lighting a fire, which is forbidden on the Sabbath (and other Jewish holidays that are treated similarly). This already keeps Jews away from walking on the Sabbath near stores where their movement can activate the door. Now with CCTV on common streets (unless it is turned off during the Sabbath or held by a person that activates it selectively), Jews cannot even exit their door.

This goes way beyond being PC or privacy issues, it in fact constitutes home-detention, intruding bitterly on some people's lives.

Dear Yuyutsu,

I don't think you're being realistic.
People have to take responsibility for
where they choose to go or not go (and how),
For whatever reasons. If people live in public
spaces that have these cameras (and these
cameras are in public spaces, and not in suburban
streets) - then they know where these cameras
are, and they can cross the street and not go
near them. These cameras are few and far between
and have never been mentioned as a problem -
possibly because they're not

The ubiquitous video surveillance is everywhere (audio too) and much of it is privately owned. Many people, especially women (no surprise given the hysteria of their daytime TV and 'zines) do not trust their fellows, even neighbours.

The technology is progressing in leaps and bounds. It is cheap. Ordinary citizens find it necessary to have video monitoring in their vehicles and home security cameras beam their private home lives to the world (without their knowledge).

Still, I guess they can always sit home with the PC and maybe even earning some points from performing the 'public service' of watching people like themselves shopping in supermarkets and elsewhere. Hey, if those people have nothing to hide they shouldn't object, right?

Honestly is it all necessary in 'public spaces' and is there a better solution that does not require technology? What about better layout and maybe give employment to a few cheap seniors to keep the areas tidy, keep a weather eye on things, show lost people about, shoo away pesky seagulls and pigeons, and generally add a few smiles to everyone's day?

I have become more concerned about the loss of trust and good vibes in the Aussie community. That and the growth of fear and hysteria that have no basis whatsoever in reality.

Dear Lexi,

Thank you for bringing me up to the facts.
I was indeed under the impression that these cameras were installed everywhere, including suburban streets, parks and playgrounds, thus preventing Jewish children from playing outside.

Thank you again.

Gosh, Yuyutsu...

"According to Judaism, activating an electrical current is equivalent to lighting a fire..." Even if it's not intentional or is unbeknownst to the person involved?

Does that include brain wave activity, or is that OK if you don't think?

"This goes way beyond being PC or privacy issues, it in fact constitutes home-detention..." Nonsense, the worst construction would be that it constitutes a weird form of non-physical auto-bondage.

As the tee-shirt slogan might say, "Shabbat happens!"

I accept that as an athiest I can't take comfort that "God is watching over me" and so I'll settle for CCTV substitutes as the presumption of a right to privacy in a public place seems odd.

Can't wait until I get a cloak of invisibility, though...