Pink Poogle Toy Forum

What Setekh said

What also makes some people twitchy is that these cards will store biometric and other personally identifiable information on a microchip in the card - and it is possible that these microchips will be accessible to computers without even having to swipe the cards through a reader (a lot like some door-entry systems work nowadays - you wave your card near a scanner, or even just wear it round your neck, to unlock doors). The theory is that this system rolled out on a national scale and connected to a large database could be used by Government agencies to track what you do, where you go, when you go there (and, if the ID card included some kind of 'wallet' functionality, what you buy) - all without your knowledge. Also this could be a target for identity thieves much like a credit card can be 'cloned' at a rigged ATM nowadays.

The worry is that this system could increase government agencies' control over the individual. Who needs Telescreens everywhere, being monitored 24 hours a day, searching for any indiscretion, when the cards and computers could do it all for you? The obvious counter to these concerns is that "If you are doing nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear" - which is hunky-dory as long as you trust government agencies implicitly. After all they never make mistakes... do they?

(disclaimer: most of my knowledge of the proposed scheme and its flaws comes from The Register which is notoriously left-wing )

Stijn, the faith is being exercised as a weapon when terrorists commit these acts. Next to someones family, many people would say the best way to lead a man is by his faith. That is exactly what they're trying to do here. People have taken advantage of peoples beliefs for thousands of years. Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt claimed to be part God, doing this caused their people loyalty to go through the roof. This was because not only did the king have the people's nationalism, but their faith as well. Frankly, some of these terrorists probably recognize what they're doing and are simply using the faith as a way to lead people.

These terrorists cannot be called Islamic because what they've done is condemned in the Qu'ran. it's frowned upon the same way killing is frowned upon in most societies.

I'm not trying to grill you or insult you, Stijn, it's simply what's thrown at all of us everyday. Sad to say that media, society and the like tend to condition us to think in a way that promotes stereotypes instead of acceptance. I don't think ignorance should be an excuse though, so hopefully reading this thread will have given you a clear idea of just what these terrorists are doing.

1. It's been estimated by some that the cards, once implemented, will cost us upwards of £200, this opposed to about £45 for a current passport.

2. It's feared that the creation of a single national database containing biometric and other personal details on every resident in the UK could lead us closer to a 'Big Brother'-style controlled state, and also be a target for hackers.

Say someone's going to plant a bomb. And they have an ID card. So does everyone else on the train...and er...in the country....

Shows that no religion is better than religion.

Exactly! They might find DNA, fingerprints or whatnot! And having an international database with all bio-whatsit info about everyone (that's the idea) would definately not be helpful!

Shows that no religion is better than religion.

Oh, luckily the article states it, so everyone can use it.

And oh God, will I use it.

Blaming this on religion (any religion) is a total red herring. These people are not religious. They have taken a religion and warped its teachings to fit their own deranged ideology in an attempt to justify what they do. That's not following a religion, that's corrupting a religion.

Three new ones. o.o

LONDON - Three London Underground stations were evacuated at midday Thursday following reports of incidents, British Transport Police said. The Fire Brigade was investigating a report of smoke at one station.

Police sources told Sky TV that suggestions pointed to some kinds of devices exploding in the stations or on trains, two weeks to the day after bomb attacks killed more than 50 people in the British capital.

An explosion was also reported on a bus in Hackney. Scotland Yard said that some sort of device could have been detonated on the bus, but could not confirm what the incident was, Sky News said.

Police said Warren Street, Shepherds Bush and Oval stations had been evacuated and that the rest of the Underground system was closing down. Emergency services personnel were called to the stations, police said.

London Underground said there were no immediate reports of casualties.

"People were panicking. But very fortunately the train was only 15 seconds from the station," witness Ivan McCracken told Sky news.

Smell of smoke
McCracken said another passenger had claimed he had seen a rucksack explode. The bombs which killed 56 people on three Underground trains and a bus in London on July 7 were carried in rucksacks, police said.

McCracken said he smelled smoke and that people were panicking and coming into his carriage.

Services on the Victoria and Northern lines were suspended following reports of a number of incidents, London Underground said.

"I was in the carriage and we smelt smoke - it was like something was burning," said Losiane Mohellavi, 35, who was evacuated at Warren Street.

"Everyone was panicked and people were screaming. We had to pull the alarm. I am still shaking," Mohellavi said.