Icelandic Pirate Birgitta Jónsdóttir is working against the 2012 NDAA (National Defence Authorisation Act) that allows the US military to detain citizens from any country, including US citizens, without limit and without trial. She recently tweeted about an app from DemandProgress that aims to spread awareness and opposition to the act.

The app takes a picture of a Facebook friend and superimposes prison bars over it. This is then posted to the friend’s wall for them and all their friends to see and a link learn about NDAA and how to oppose it is offered. There are a number of points about this action that are of interest to Pirates.

Firstly there is the question about privacy. Should one, as a Pirate, simply copy, manipulate and post a picture without their express permission? Well it is Facebook, and if the friend was that worried about privacy then they would probably not be there. But in general one should only do this to friends who are open to a bit of fun for a political cause.

Then there is the matter of the NDAA act itself. There cannot be much doubt that the act contravenes basic human rights, international law, habeas corpus and the right to a fair trial. Also, the bill was negotiated in secret by a select few members of Congress and has not had the proper review by Congress let alone been subject to the transparency of public consultation. It has been ruled unconstitutional by a United States court but the Obama administration is appealing that decision. Pirates and activists around the world are dismayed and determined to work against another example of the loss of freedom for a perceived increase in security.

Lastly there is the question of how we can use this clever kind of guerilla marketing for the Pirate cause? That is in your hands. We do not and never will probably have the access to funds that the mainstream parties have as we abjure donations from commercial entities. But we do have a wealth of creative energy and talent. Let’s get those creative juices flowing.

You can find the app here.

About Andrew Reitemeyer

I joined the Pirate Party of Lower Saxony in Germany in April 2012, once I found out that non citizens were welcome to join and become active members of the Party.
I joined the Pirate Times soon after it was started as a proof reader and am now an editor and author. Since then I have returned to my native New Zealand and joined the Pirate Party of New Zealand.
Politically I come from the libertarian left and have, up to now, not regarded any political party as having a solution for the democratic deficit that envelops the world. With the advent of the Pirate Party, which truly embraces grass roots democracy, I have found a political home. The Pirate Times is a way I can contribute to furthering the Pirate Movement around the world.
Skype: frithogar

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

Icelandic Pirate Birgitta Jónsdóttir is working against the 2012 NDAA (National Defence Authorisation Act) that allows the US military to detain citizens from any country, including US citizens, without limit…