"Cry Havoc .."

(NOTE: Am normally a peaceable sort of person, but some things spark my ire. Am adding this preface in case there is some spook haunting the backwaters of the blogosphere where this blog resides, and who may assume that this is some sort of incitement to riot. It is nothing of the sort. The title is a partial quote from a line by Shakespeare, and totally meaningless out of context. There is also the possibility that the Defence Signals Directorate or ECHELON will be scanning for keywords. In which case I will be helpful by making them bold. Far be it from me to suggest the overthrow of the Australian Government. I have no idea of the exact wording of the sedition and treason laws, but it seems to me that these notions should apply mainly to the removal by force or armed insurrection of a legitimate and stable structure of Government, and not a discussion about replacement of one political party by another. It also seems to me that sedition and/or treason applies to any calls to replace the entire fundamental structure of a government that has existed, and served us well since 1901. As such, then any agitation to change our system to a 'republic' would probably fall into that category.)

Much has been in the 'news' recently about the arrest of "suspected" terrorists. So, have been thinking a bit about it, and more particularly "terrorist masterminds", and how one could be identified.

These, apparently, are leaders of organised groups; plan and organise acts of violence using 'foot soldiers' with highly explosive weapons to carry out those plans. They care little about the lives and safety of these foot soldiers, even convincing them that death is a glorious and honourable contribution to the 'cause'. Lives and livelihoods of civilian populations - men, women and children - are of little account to these monsters.

One of the methods and tactics is to recruit personnel from foreign sympathisers and local populations while they themselves hide in highly protected safe havens.

The exact motives of these "masterminds of terror" are unclear to me, but it seems that behind it all is some sort of "Project for the Future" to create some sort of global unification for their ideals. This may well involve the disruption, up to and including destruction by violence, of governing structures in foreign countries. Torture and brutality are frequently supported and often used to intimidate.

There are, apparently, several of these "masterminds of terror" still at large as they surround themselves with fiercely loyal 'bodyguards', trained and brainwashed in 'academies', and any attempt to get close to them is thwarted by tight security.

Since the Australian Government has already demonstrated a willingness to deport a foreign national for unspecified reasons of 'national security' - even though his avowed intention was peaceful - I should imagine that the Australian Government - in its zeal to protect the population - would firmly reject any attempt from one of these "masterminds of terror" to enter this country, especially if the visit was to discuss further terrorist acts.

If such a foreign national "mastermind of terror" were to be found on these shores, one would expect that person to be summarily arrested with prejudice, especially if the acts of terror outlined above could actually be proven.

In other news, I see that Donald Rumsfeld is soon to visit Australia, and in Adelaide for two days on November 17 and 18 for a meeting with senior Federal figures including the Minister for Defense. It is considered such a "prestigious" visit that a large part of the city centre is to be barricaded and "locked down" to protect such a popular person from the admiring crowds. I hear that the nearby businesses are overjoyed that they can enjoy a two day holiday.

The SA Police are also overjoyed that all leave has been cancelled for those two days, and that a large proportion of them will be on hand to form a 'guard of honour'.

In a sort of unrelated issue, South Australian egg producers are in crisis due to the large amount of cheap eggs that are being shipped from interstate. At 67c per dozen, it is impossible for local producers to compete. Am sure that South Australians are resourceful, and will think of a suitable use for large numbers of cheap, stale eggs.