Category Archives: transparency

Beyond Contempt: Does Money Buy Justice?

Posted on August 21, 2014 by lawrence serewicz

Peter Jukes has written an important book. The book is important because of what it reveals about UK politics, media, and justice. The case connects these areas. Too often people hear “important book” and immediately think that it is boring. … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, corruption, good writing, Government, justice, privacy, transparency | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A possible Putin strategic apology

Posted on July 21, 2014 by lawrence serewicz

    Some commentators suggest that Mr. Putin is in a difficult position and will find it impossible to explain this event or save face. See for example Tom Nichols excellent piece Panic in Red Square.[1] I believe that reputation … Continue reading →

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The harm of censorship is worse than the harm of debt? A response to: Should public libraries block payday loan websites?

Posted on April 6, 2014 by lawrence serewicz

On his blog, Adrian Short makes several arguments against internet “censorship” by Councils who block access to payday loan sites on library computers.  Here is the link. Should public libraries block payday loan websites? He says that blocking access to … Continue reading →

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My response to the NSA public consultation

Posted on December 20, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

  Background note: In response to the Snowden leaks about the National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance program, a review group was created on August 12, 2013. President Obama directed the establishment of a Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Their mission … Continue reading →

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Surveillance, Safety and the Rule of Law: Questions and Answers

Posted on December 18, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

We have heard many stories about the surveillance state and its power over the individual. We have heard that the United States has abused its position and its power to its advantage. Many people are outraged at what they believe … Continue reading →

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The problem of surveillance in a democratic society

Posted on September 29, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

  What has been a constant theme through the debate is that there is a technological solution (encryption) to what is perceived as a technological problem (surveillance). The problem, at its source, is not technological it is political. Why we … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, transparency | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Does the NSA want to collect everything? Let’s check the facts and then decide.

Posted on August 31, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

Over the past several months, we have read headlines and stories about the new surveillance state. We have been told that the United States government, in particular the NSA, intends to “collect, monitor, and store every telephone and internet communication … Continue reading →

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Did the Police take it easy on Mr. Miranda because of a respect for a free press?

Posted on August 22, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

On 18 August, the police stopped Mr. Miranda, the husband of Mr. Glenn Greenwald, under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2006. The debate has focused on whether the United Kingdom government over reacted and used the law inappropriately against … Continue reading →

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An alternative view of how the Terrorism Act may have applied to Mr. Miranda

Posted on August 20, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

disclaimer: I am not a lawyer so this is a layman’s reading of the Act. As such, it is a speculative piece of writing.  Please do not take it as a legal interpretation of how the Act works. For a robust … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, privacy, transparency | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why Mr. Miranda may have been held

Posted on August 19, 2013 by lawrence serewicz

Update: Since I published this blog at 220am on Monday,  the story has changed. It has been reported that Mr. Miranda was stopped by the British Government on their decision.  Here is how the BBC has reported the story in … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, privacy, transparency | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments