Bill Sykes' Newsletter
from America.
(December 2003)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
Big Brother is watching you:
 Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), counter terrorism
officials have for many years collected extensive information
on individuals suspected of being associated with anarchist
activities or other disruptive elements. Amongst known
activities by the counter terrorism units is the photographing
of individuals taking part in demonstrations, whether
it is against the war in Iraq or protests against the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, wiretapping,
infiltration, use of informants, and sophisticated electronic
surveillance devices are said to have been used in the
viewing of personal Internet activities.
Anti-war demonstrations have been a particular target
of intelligence gathering, both in the United States
and overseas, so I'm sure that a contingent of American
and British surveillance teams were very actively taking
photographs and data during the London anti-war, (anti-Bush),
demonstrations.
 Activists of course are not entirely
blameless when their peaceful protests turn to violence.
Generally the activists are aware of the law enforcement
activities prior to their demonstration and have been
known to use training camps to rehearse tactics and procedures
in order to counteract law enforcement efforts to intimidate
and prevent lawful demonstrations.
Note: I believe that the American protest demonstrations
against the International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank are about concern for the loss of American jobs,
which is happening on an ever increasing basis. I had
reason to call Microsoft technical assistance a couple
of times in the past six weeks, with respect to a computer
problem that I was having, and each time I talked to
a technical advisor I found that I was in contact with
a person located in India.
 Within the last few days, AT&T, one of our largest telephone and telecommunication
companies, stated that they would be laying off 10% of their staff in the United
States, guess where the jobs are going to - India of course.
I would also maintain that most textiles, (amongst many other consumer goods
found in the stores of America), come mainly from Taiwan, China, Mexico, and
India.
Tell me, do you have the same problems in the UK, or have
you imported enough cheap labour in the last half century
or so to enable you to export cheap goods to the Continent,
or whatever markets Britain has these days .
The reason I ask this, is that a recent communication from the overseas British
Pension Service office in Newcastle was post stamped: Philippine Postal Corporation,
Pasay City 1300, Philippines. Well, well, well!!!
We welcome feedback about any of the contents
of these newsletters. Please send all correspondence to
bill_sykes@huddersfield1.co.uk
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