Let's Gather Against the ISA

...digitally, at least!

I have created the "Trust not Fear", group. I have recently seen the "I am NOT a Paedophile!" group as well. Are there any other groups set up? Is it worth gathering together into one big group, with all the admins of the separate group in one?

I think the biggest danger with this campaign, is that everyone becomes outraged, but that the anger is dissipated. At present it lacks a focal point to gather and direct that anger into real opposition. So, I'm urging everyone to talk to each other, work out where these groups are, and co-ordinate.

It's the only way we can stop this appalling, disgusting scheme.

Oh: and just a tip from several debates I've had today... go gently. I know we as Lib Dems are obsessed with civil liberties. That is a strong argument, but most people listen when you explain that it is causing a lack of trust amongst children and adults. Most people appreciate arguments about gathering rumour and hearsay. And most people appreciate when we talk about the benefits of CRBs. After all, it isn't the idea of security checks we should oppose, just the abject lack of regulation and guidance in these proposals: amongst other things.

Whilst civil liberties are one argument to use, they are not the argument. If we want to appeal to more people than just Lib Dems, we must look at ways to persuade the average person. They are angry, but if we do not organise quickly, they will be convinced by the lies of the Government. They will start believing the lies that this will make children safer, when the exact opposite is true.

So, we need to unite the separate campaigns and separate groups into one large all-encompassing campaign. We need to co-ordinate, preferably on a well-known blog and share Facebook groups, websites and bloggers who are against these proposals. And we need to work on different messages, not the relatively "niche" civil liberties message...

...although that's important too!

Let's work together. Let's stop this together.