Story Archive

The Nanny State’s Nanny Police Force

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, currently before Parliament in the United Kingdom, has a special counter-terrorism measure designed for nursery school staff and “registered childminders”: they must report toddlers who are “at risk of becoming terrorists.” The directive, written by the Home Office, says nurseries and childcare providers, as well as schools and universities, have a legal duty “to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.” As such, they must create training programs for staff “that gives them the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism.” Such a rule would be “unworkable,” says Conservative MP David Davis. “It is heavy-handed,” and “I cannot understand what [nursery staff] are expected to do.” Indeed, says Isabella Sankey, policy director for Liberty, a human rights organization, such a rule would “sow seeds of mistrust, division and alienation from an early age.” (RC/London Telegraph) ...Which is pretty much how terrorists are created.