The Write Stuff: Letters To Squall

Mickey Mouse Surveillance

Squall 15, Summer 1997, pg. 58.

Dear Squall,

As a protestor myself I do think it important to record increases in powers of state surveillance against dissent as you did in issue 14. But I must say though that my own impression of what the authorities know about the scene by way of ‘intelligence’ is in fact pretty Mickey Mouse.

I also think that a lot of the 'blahing up’ of intrusive surveillance powers is undoubtedly designed to spread a paralytic fear amongst those who might involve themselves in a protest campaign.

A similar tactic was used with speed cameras on roads. The warning signs appeared everywhere but the camera’s themselves did not. Then the news broke that due to the cost of the film and the time required to process and analyse it, a lot of cameras were not even loaded with film anyway.

I think that both MI5 and Special Branch love scary stories about what they might be up to because it helps them achieve what their actual level of intelligence does not.

Yours,
Dave Reade,
Newcastle