Friday, 8 August 2008

Deckchairs on the Titanic...

Via the Croydonian, this incredible tale of government fatuity:

"As announced in the National Security Strategy, the Government has published a National Risk Register which sets out our assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a range of different risks that may directly affect the UK". Source


As the man from sarf Lahndahn says:

Judging from [the] Figure above, electronic attacks and attacks on transport are reckoned more likely than animal disease, flooding and major transport accidents


Yes, because we've had no foot and mouth, no mad cow, no floods, no trains derailed, ever, have we?

And the selected gems of wisdom for how to cope include:

3.12 "Loss of mains electricity can affect lighting, heating, air conditioning and electronic equipment".
4.3 ..take time to find out:... how to tune in to your local radio station
4.14 - Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing


Truly, we are governed by fools.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you old enough to remember these?

Oh, happy memories of government incompetence and scaremongering...

Anonymous said...

I've always thought that the "best" way to bring a Western country to its knees would be in some way to cut electricity supplies for as long as possible. With so much modern economic activity computer based how long would society function with no electricity? How soon would there be no food in the shops as computerised ordering systems failed? What about cashpoints? They would stop working, and there isn't enough cash anyway to replace all the payments currently made by card.My guess is a week of no electricity equals looting & rioting in the streets. Especially if in winter.

And guess where our New Labour Government has led us to? The imminent disruption of our electricity supply due to its failure to plan for the decommissioning of the old nuclear plants. Welcome to the future.....it's not a pretty sight.

Anonymous said...

Anon wrote:
With so much modern economic activity computer based how long would society function with no electricity?

In this day and age I have immediate suspicions about any 'terrorist' attack that relies solely on explosives. If I were a bad person, I would be looking to use EMP against high profile targets in (say) the City. Mass disruption, no human injuries (pacemakers?).