tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post4096052374096022834..comments2024-03-30T00:09:27.602+13:00Comments on Not PC: John Key & the GCSB [update 2]Peter Cresswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10699845031503699181noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-30252273679552911352014-05-22T08:49:06.638+12:002014-05-22T08:49:06.638+12:00I take your point Mr Lineberry, except: The GCSB h...I take your point Mr Lineberry, except: The GCSB has no parliamentary oversight, and is overseen solely by the office of the PM. <br /><br />Therefore it is not his choice to know or not, but his duty.Dolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-81563029482655610672014-05-21T21:42:37.297+12:002014-05-21T21:42:37.297+12:00Yeah. That way you can be a murderer by omission r...Yeah. That way you can be a murderer by omission rather than by commission. In both situations you have mens rea. <br /><br />Why does anyone think that this secret stuff could possibly be a good thing? If it has to be hidden, it is not good. If the government has nothing to hide and what they are doing is to protect us all, then there is no reason for all the secrecy. Surely they have nothing to fear from letting their own citizenry know what they are up to.<br /><br />Place your trust in politicians..... Yeah. <br /><br />AmitAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11906042.post-34158999772641714982014-05-21T13:29:59.566+12:002014-05-21T13:29:59.566+12:00For once I am on John Key's side; ever since h...For once I am on John Key's side; ever since he scratched and ruined my cigarette lighter (long and fairly surreal story) I haven't had much time for Mr Key so to be supporting him on anything should surprise everybody.<br /><br />It could be a very simple logical explanation that goes something like this -<br /><br />Mr Key... <i>doesn't want to know</i><br /><br />If I was the Prime Minister of New Zealand there are certain matters I really wouldn't want to know about regarding the security services (SIS and GCSB); to put it bluntly I would rather not know about "the James Bond stuff".<br /><br />If you were the PM would you want to know either? <br /><br />Just stop and consider for a moment that question; would you <i>really</i> want to know about some of their activities?<br /><br />1. If they spy on people - do you <i>really</i> don't want to know?<br />2. If they have a file on you or me or your next door neighbours or political opponents - do you <i>really</i> want to know?<br />3. If they do have a file on you - would you <i>really</i> want to read it? (and dredge up all that embarrassing stuff you thought nobody knew about haha!)<br /><br />And now for the World Cup of questions -<br /><br />Would you <i>really</i> want to know....<i>if they kill people?</i><br /><br />Please do not misunderstand me, I have no reason to think they do kill people and probably they don't; if I had to make a judgement call I would say they don't, but they may well do so.<br /><br />Do you really want to know about it? be a party to murder?<br /><br />Would you really want to have to explain why you weren't dialling 111 and reporting them? <br /><br />Would you really want to have to explain to 'ordinary people' that...<i> "oh you know how murder is illegal? well guess what - some people are above the law and can kill whomever they like and tell the cops to get stuffed if they start investigating"</i><br /><br />Really want to carry the can for that going on?<br /><br />It may well be that John Key doesn't want to either.<br /><br />It may well be Mr Key ensures he simply doesn't know what they are upto; wouldn't surprise me if he gives them signed, blank pieces of paper authorising various things - for them to fill in later - because he would rather not <i>know</i>..... and have to live with himself later.<br /><br />Consider this scenario (slightly exaggerated to make a point)<br /><br />You are the PM of NZ; the Director General walks into your office and says ....<i>"Prime Minister we have located a terrorist cell operating in Mt Roskill, but no need to worry - just sign this document and we will round them all up, shoot them in the back of the head and dispose of the bodies way up in the High Country somewhere. All these buggers look the same so no one will miss them."</i><br /><br />Do you -<br /><br />1. Sign the document and be a party to murder<br /><br />2. Refuse to sign and let a major terrorist act be carried out killing large numbers of people<br /><br />3. Attend the funerals of the dead and give their grieving relatives - and a shocked and horrified nation - a big wankfest lecture on 'civil liberties' and the sanctity of human life for terrorists - (I am sure everyone will be all ears and will join in with enthusiasm)<br /><br />4. Have to explain why you were told about it, and told how to nip it in the bud in 5 minutes flat, and did nothing (only a really naïve person would think the security people wouldn't leak their request for 'authorisation' to the media)<br /><br />or<br /><br />5. Having given the Director General several signed, blank pieces of paper a few months earlier....you never have to know.<br /><br />Just a thought.....Mr Lineberrynoreply@blogger.com