[BNM] [_] Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones

[Nick Taylor]

> On the subject of setting up a new pressure group vs. joining the 
> existing ones, I was wondering if it wouldn't be the case that more 
> organisations would have a greater effect (notwithstanding the obvious 
> parallels to the Peoples' Front of Judea, The Judean Peoples' Front, 
> etc)? 

There are pro's and cons to proliferation of groups... the main pro 
(that I've noticed) is that different groups suit different 
temperaments. Compare a Greenpeace to a Friends of The Earth meeting for 
an example of this... there's an inclusivity and robustness in 
diversity... and it also goes some way to prevent groups becoming little 
empires in their own right.

The main con is that these groups don't "move as one" when they really 
need to. I have a feeling that the organisational skills required to 
hold a larger group together tend to dilute the influence of crackpots 
as well, and if there's one thing crackpots love, it's fringe politics.

Hate to say it, but to really get things moving, you kindof need a good 
communicator (and by this I (also) mean someone who doesn't wear socks 
and sandals) who can get on TV. For this you need an organisation with 
the infrastructure and PR sus etc of someone like Liberty or Amnesty etc.