http://strange.corante.com/2008/08/03/trust-journalists-audiences-and-countries Picking out patterns in the chaos Tue, 22 May 2012 19:40:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://strange.corante.com/2008/08/03/trust-journalists-audiences-and-countries#comment-6973 Cal King Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:32:18 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2008/08/03/trust-journalists-audiences-and-countries#comment-6973 Having recently seen the film "War Games" I've been made more aware of flawed computer systems being exposed by lone hackers. Let's face it, the American computer security systems were probably tightened up as a result, and therefore could be argued to have prevented a malicious attack by persons other than a troubled, vulnerable young man. For me this story not only highlights the shortcomings with the treaty between nations, but also has personalised a case in which one man is threatened with the wrath of the most powerful nation in the world's legal system. It might be our island mentality, it might be because often we're the underdogs, but Brits have always rallied behind those we feel are being targeted disproportionately, and McKinnon, guilty of a non-violent crime which served to ultimately improve US defences is seen by many here as something of a tragic hero. Not because his actions were particularly sensible or legal, but because of the apparently disproportionate and overwhelming response of the justice system. Having recently seen the film “War Games” I’ve been made more aware of flawed computer systems being exposed by lone hackers. Let’s face it, the American computer security systems were probably tightened up as a result, and therefore could be argued to have prevented a malicious attack by persons other than a troubled, vulnerable young man. For me this story not only highlights the shortcomings with the treaty between nations, but also has personalised a case in which one man is threatened with the wrath of the most powerful nation in the world’s legal system. It might be our island mentality, it might be because often we’re the underdogs, but Brits have always rallied behind those we feel are being targeted disproportionately, and McKinnon, guilty of a non-violent crime which served to ultimately improve US defences is seen by many here as something of a tragic hero. Not because his actions were particularly sensible or legal, but because of the apparently disproportionate and overwhelming response of the justice system.

]]> http://strange.corante.com/2008/08/03/trust-journalists-audiences-and-countries#comment-2938 Nigel Barlow Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:42:02 +0000 http://strange.corante.com/2008/08/03/trust-journalists-audiences-and-countries#comment-2938 A very good article Kevin and as you say the parallels to the Nat West three case are strikingly similar. The portrayal of McKinnon as a harmless UFO enthusiast who is going to succumb to the worst excesses of the American justice system are stunning especially in the quality media A very good article Kevin and as you say the parallels to the Nat West three case are strikingly similar.
The portrayal of McKinnon as a harmless UFO enthusiast who is going to succumb to the worst excesses of the American justice system are stunning especially in the quality media

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