Richard Barnes, a Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon has set up an online petition condemning "terrorism and extremism", in addition to calling on ISPs to "block or remove websites that promote or encourage terrorist acts".
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and Richard Barnes has very little knowledge indeed. He's circulating emails linked to a petition on his website:
"Richard Barnes, a Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, has set up an online petition condemning terrorism and extremism in addition to calling on ISP's to block or remove websites that promote or encourage terrorist acts.
I would be grateful if you could show your support and go to the following link:
http://www.richardbarnes.info/petition.asp
and complete the petition.
To increase the number of signatories globally we would also be grateful if you could forward this onto all of your e-mail contacts, and encourage them to do the same."
Richard isn't very clear about what he thinks "terrorism" is, but he's definitely against it. He also doesn't explain how UK ISPs should "block... websites that promote or encourage terrorist acts", but he's definitely all for that.
Attempts like this, even when well-meant, are another nail in the coffin of our civil liberties. They do nothing to stop violent attacks on people in this country, and do much to reduce our freedom.
Give Richard a call, or drop him an email, telling him not to be so bloody stupid.
Richard Barnes
City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA
http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/members/barnesr.jsp
Tel: 020 7983 4414
Fax: 020 7983 4419
Pager: 08700 555 500 (815461)
E-Mail:
richard.barnes@london.gov.uk
Ta.
"Richard Barnes, a Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, has set up an online petition condemning terrorism and extremism in addition to calling on ISP's to block or remove websites that promote or encourage terrorist acts.
I would be grateful if you could show your support and go to the following link:
http://www.richardbarnes.info/petition.asp and complete the petition.
To increase the number of signatories globally we would also be grateful if you could forward this onto all of your e-mail contacts, and encourage them to do the same."
Richard isn't very clear about what he thinks "terrorism" is, but he's definitely against it. He also doesn't explain how UK ISPs should "block... websites that promote or encourage terrorist acts", but he's definitely all for that.
Attempts like this, even when well-meant, are another nail in the coffin of our civil liberties. They do nothing to stop violent attacks on people in this country, and do much to reduce our freedom.
Give Richard a call, or drop him an email, telling him not to be so bloody stupid.
Richard Barnes
City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA
http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/members/barnesr.jsp Tel: 020 7983 4414
Fax: 020 7983 4419
Pager: 08700 555 500 (815461)
E-Mail:
richard.barnes@london.gov.uk Ta.
