Comments on: Counter-terrorism http://clubtroppo.com.au/2005/11/07/counter-terrorism/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:21:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul Norton http://clubtroppo.com.au/2005/11/07/counter-terrorism/#comment-27925 Paul Norton Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://localhost/wordpress/?p=1957#comment-27925 As someone who has done a fair bit of reading on Russian and Soviet history, I'd add that the KGB's forerunner, the Cheka, was intentionally titled the *Extraordinary* Commission for Combatting Counter-Revolution and Sabotage as it was founded in the belief that its existence and functions would only be a temporary response to what was expected to be a short-lived emergency situation. Compare with Howard's comment about the proposed "anti-terrorism" laws, to whit "this is unusual legislation for an unusual situation", and Queensland Premier Beattie's statement that "These are draconian measures. We would never have agreed to these in a fit normally, but when you are faced with a terrorist threat like this you have to have a response." As someone who has done a fair bit of reading on Russian and Soviet history, I’d add that the KGB’s forerunner, the Cheka, was intentionally titled the *Extraordinary* Commission for Combatting Counter-Revolution and Sabotage as it was founded in the belief that its existence and functions would only be a temporary response to what was expected to be a short-lived emergency situation.

Compare with Howard’s comment about the proposed “anti-terrorism” laws, to whit “this is unusual legislation for an unusual situation”, and Queensland Premier Beattie’s statement that “These are draconian measures. We would never have agreed to these in a fit normally, but when you are faced with a terrorist threat like this you have to have a response.”

]]>