NEWS
NEWS: PARTNERS IN PRECRIME
06/08/2009
Journalists hate the idea of intervention. Just mention public service journalism and listen for the screams of bloody Leviathan. To these roguish pen-slingers and key-pushers, there is nothing worse than being caught in the embrace of some government self-help circle intent on killing the information induced serotonin high of fierce independence. “We think you need help,” the perpetually chagrined government and corporate officials seem to say.
“You’re seriously ruining our reputations.”
Yet there are many times when the First and Fourth Estate can be found sharing the same lush country manor. After all, they both long to be crowned Lord Protector of the people - which means they’re both in the business of protection. Steven Spielberg calls it Precrime, but we’ll call it security.
In his treatise secretly subtitled Unreasonable Doubt, Spielberg envisages a nightmarish scenario wherein justice is deferred in the name of peace and prosperity. To him, the West should never countenance the building of a solid omelette with the guts of a few innocent cracked eggs. There is always justice. There is always Tom Cruise.
But some forces can only be destroyed with more force. As Edmund Burke said, is it not, “better [to] be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident security”? In this light, it seems the two estates have settled on a lock-step march and a foolproof plan.
Imperative 1 – Secure two judges.
Preferably judges that do not let their prejudices get in the way. After all, without judges there can be no judgment.
The Daily Telegraph calls appropriately named Judge Ian Trigger to the bench.
Imperative 2 – Ready the global force.
The day George Orwell feared most has arrived. There is a war going on. However shadowy it may seem, Gordon Brown emphasizes that "our purpose [for Precrime] is clear - to prevent terrorism coming to the streets of Britain."
To do this the Mod should stop wasting billions of pounds due to incompetence, and give the troops much needed arms. David Cameron would appoint a Minister for Afghanistan.
Someone should try this with narcotics.
Imperative 3 – Add a dash of soft power.
If one wants to get things done, think outside the box. Instead of using normal diplomatic channels, send someone presidential.
Imperative 4 – Build a new extra-constitutional detention centre.
Forget Guantanamo or Bagram, Detroit is where it’s at; they need a new industry anyway.
Imperative 5 - Tighten borders.
There are two choices here. But by all means, ignore any pesky intellectuals. Ship the guilty innocents to Scotland or give them the dreaded Patriotism test.
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