Longrider

Taken just before we left L’Oustal yesterday morning. I always was a sucker for a red sky in the morning.

The Register notes the passage of the ID cards bill through the House of Lords. The article suggests that rather than block the bill in defiance of the Salisbury convention; the bill being a manifesto promise; their lordships will seek to amend the bill in much the same way as Neil Gerrard tried and failed to do during its passage through the commons. This is where things start to get interesting. The bill always relied upon achieving a critical mass during the voluntary phase. Now, just for a moment, pause and consider what is meant by voluntary. I’ll help a little here and give you the dictionary definition:

1. Done or undertaken of one’s own free will
2. Acting or done willingly and without constraint or expectation of reward

Yup, pretty much as I understood it. However, the control freaks in Whitehall have a somewhat different understanding. The bill will have “designated documents” that will automatically enter the bearer on the National Identity Register upon renewal. One of these designated documents is the passport. So, when you renew your passport, onto the NIR you go and you get an ID card. Of course, you could choose not to travel abroad and therefore not renew your passport and not volunteer to have an identity card, but for many, this is impracticable and in some cases a passport is essential. This makes registering compulsory. This is not voluntary, indeed, it is blackmail - such an ugly word, but so befitting those who drafted this noxious bill. The amendment being proposed is to delink the passport from the NIR. If this happens, then the bill is effectively neutered. It will be truly voluntary. If people want to buy an ID card and register well, they will be able to do so - but the 80% figure the government hopes to achieve? Unlikely - that’s why they wanted compulsion by the back door - or, in Newspeak, “voluntary”.

It has been suspected, but never fully confirmed (or denied) by the government that the other candidate for designated document status is the driving licence. Although the photo licence has been around for a few years now, many, myself included, have the old paper licences that last until we reach the grand old age of 70. Or until we change address. In a proposal in the Road Safety Bill, the government planned to withdraw all old paper licenses and force us to have the new photo licenses that have to be renewed regularly - lending support to the suspicion that this was the harbinger of designated status. The Lords, however, were onto this one and have blocked it. So, again, the unelected house is protecting our freedoms from the control freaks in the commons.

The nauseating Tony McNulty said in response to the Neil Gerrard amendment:

“unpicking the ID card from the passport would drive a coach and horses, to coin a phrase, through the entire structure of the system that we aim to produce.”

Indeed, that is the general idea. Preferably a bloody great big cart pulled by four black horses with flames flying from their hooves and brimstone bursting from their nostrils and the cart driven by four riders; War, Famine, Pestilence and Death - and may they be a visitation upon the evil that resides in Whitehall.
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The state wants to record our journeys wherever we go, using its Automatic Number Plate Recognition system (ANPR)…

The story has been rumbling in the press for a couple of months now. The most recent is the Independent in December.

“Britain is to become the first country in the world where the movements of all vehicles on the roads are recorded. A new national surveillance system will hold the records for at least two years.”

The Observer picked it up in October.

“A network of hi-tech cameras capable of tracking the movements of every car could become a feature of cities across Britain.”

And the Times featured it in November.

“BRITAIN’S top traffic policeman is pushing through plans to create a national network of roadside spy cameras that will be able to track the movements of motorists around the clock.

Meredydd Hughes wants the cameras to be installed every 400 yards on motorways, as well as at supermarkets, petrol stations and in town centres.

They are designed to crack down on uninsured driving, road tax evasion and stolen cars, but will also monitor millions of law-abiding drivers.”

In some ways it is surprising that it hasn’t been more high profile. Although, the low key dripping effect must suit those who want to bring the thing about - no mass uprising and anger - anyway, automatic number plate recognition has been about for a while, so why worry? Well, the key phrase is that last one; “but will also monitor millions of law-abiding drivers.” Where I go on my motorcycle is no one’s business but mine. The police do not need to know my whereabouts in order to catch criminals. This is classic authoritarian over-reaction to a problem - treat everyone like criminals in the hope of catching some real ones - Guilty until proved innocent again.

Put aside the logistical nightmare of the burgeoning database for a moment, and ask just why would anyone want to bother? It certainly isn’t for our benefit. All that stuff about tax and insurance evasion just doesn’t add up - it is a minor problem compared with the proposed solution, particularly as it is relatively easily overcome if you have the will and means. And, before anyone mentions The War Against Terror (TWAT) - that doesn’t add up, either. Any half decent terrorist or criminal will simply clone their vehicles. It isn’t that difficult, all you need is the relevant details of a vehicle of the same make and model and put a copy of its number plate on your vehicle. Then you may do what you like with relative impunity, evade tax and insurance if you want, the hapless owner of the real numberplate picks up the tab. Of course, this is simple if you have the relevant connections; if you are a law abiding citizen, it is somewhat more difficult. Try wandering into your local auto store and asking for a replacement numberplate. You will have to provide evidence that you are who you say you are and that you own the vehicle - my wouldn’t an identity card be useful for that? Why didn’t I think of it?

So, the powers that be are getting a wet dream over recording our vehicle movements and we, the innocent law-abiding citizenry are to be treated like criminals. Again.

The state is not your friend

Since MyDV was subject to an injunction, they have resurfaced as PSP Universe. This company is just another manifestation of the Jeremy Paradies empire that has no understanding of customer care. Quick to take your money and slow to supply the goods. If you do get them, they will be non-uk models so incompatible with UK software and power outlets. Oh, and you won’t have a UK warranty.

So, if you are thinking about buying from this company, I strongly suggest that you don’t. You will be subject to exactly the same treatment as the hapless customers of MyDV. The prices are in UK£ and will be subject to exchange rates and commission fees. Supply is at best extremely patchy.

LEAVE WELL ALONE.

Today is the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar. Outside of the UK it is somewhat insignificant, yet to Britons - particularly those with a seafaring background, it is highly significant.

In 1805, the Royal Navy had been blockading the French and Spanish ports, thereby preventing Napolean Bonaparte from invading Britain. Napolean ordered his fleet, at anchor in Cadiz, to sail out to Trafalgar and engage the Royal Navy. Admiral Villeneuve, commanding the combined French and Spanish fleets had already suffered humiliating defeat at the battle of the Nile earlier that year. There are those revisionists who would belittle what happened at Trafalgar, citing this earlier defeat of the French fleet, arguing that it was a spent force and therefore insignificant. However, they miss the point that had Trafalgar not happened, the Franco Spanish fleet would have enabled that invasion - without the fleet, such invasion plans were scuppered.

Despite poor winds, effectively becalming both fleets, Nelson’s ships cut in a zig-zag across the Franco Spanish fleet, initially providing the usual broadside approach before sailing across the enemy’s bows, firing another broadside into the stern of the preceding ship. This meant they could fire their guns with little return fire while causing maximum damage to the enemy. They then turned forward, sailing alongside the crippled enemy ship to deliver a broadside to finish the job. Despite heavy loss of life, not one British ship was sunk. The enemy was devastated, lying in shattered hulks about them. It was Trafalgar that established the Royal Navy’s supremacy at sea for nearly 150 years. Napolean lost control of the seas at Trafalgar and with it, plans of world domination. Control of the seas in 1805 was much like control of the air in 1940. Whoever had it was destined to triumph.

Nelson died at the moment of his greatest triumph and remains a national hero to this day. A flawed man who followed his own instincts. A man who believed in things like duty and honour. Old fashioned concepts, maybe. But it is we who are poorer without them.

Here’s to Admiral Lord Nelson.

Blogging will be slow over the next 10 days as I will be here:

On MyDV’s website this morning is the following notice:

MyDV is temporarily not taking new orders. Rest assured that all existing orders will be delivered. Check back Monday!

It doesn’t mean that they won’t be back. It does mean that the temporary injunction appears to have been granted and that no new victims can fall for their illegal and unethical trading practices. While there is more work yet to be done in order to close them down for good, it is a small victory for consumer power and I’m going to enjoy the moment.

Today is a good day for the little guys.
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Today I received news that the Attorney General is seeking an emergency court order to shut down MyDV

BOSTON - Attorney General Tom Reilly is seeking an emergency court order to shut down a Waltham Internet company that bills itself as “The UK’s Best Source for Digital Video Equipment.” The company is not based in the United Kingdom, but in Massachusetts, and misled and overcharged dozens of consumers, most of them British.

The lawsuit, filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, accuses Jeremy Paradies of Waltham and his companies, NEPCO LP and NEPCO GP, LLC, of routinely engaging in deceptive pricing, overcharging customers, failing to deliver merchandise, failing to give refunds and frequently shipping wrong orders. Paradies and his companies sell a variety of electronics, including digital cameras, recorders, plasma televisions, iPods and video game equipment, using the domain name mydv.co.uk.

This is, on the one hand, excellent news. Traders that routinely deceive potential customers should be shut down as quickly as possible to avoid further misery as people fall into the trap. On the other hand, if you are still owed money, this might prove to be a problem for recouping your loss. Try immediately to contact MyDV - using email if nothing else can get through and cancel your order. In the event of not receiving a refund, take the matter up with your credit card company.

If you want to discuss this further, please visit Rogue Trader Watch
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