C[omp]ute

From: andrew cooke <andrew@...>

Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 18:48:07 -0400

[I emailed the UK Ambassador in Chile.  Had no response yet.  Will update here
if I do, but won't post any (preumably private) reply.]


Hi Jon,

I'm an ex-pat, living here in Chile.  I enjoyed the interview in La Tercera
this weekend.  It was interesting reading - I agreed with much of what you
said, while the presentation made sense (reading with the eyes of a Brit who
understands something of both what Chileans want to hear, and what the UK
presumably wants to communicate).

So when I read, today, about the UK government detaining Glen Greenwald's
partner, while in transit through Heathrow, I thought of you.  I was looking
for the equivalent of "my MP" - someone I could write an angry letter to - but
also someone I thought might understand.

Everyone can see that the UK has been embarrassed, and that it's now bullying
the messenger.  Worse, that it was likely encouraged by the USA.

That's not what I want the UK to be.  It's not what I want to have to explain
to my Chilean friends, family.  It can't make your job any easier, either.

I didn't say, but I'm a software engineer.  I sometimes do security work.  Not
super-important stuff, but I can understand what is happening, on a technical
level.  I've been following the news.  I have a fairly good grasp of what GCHQ
and the NSA are doing.  I think it's too invasive.  I think we are
underestimating the cost (in freedom - and I feel oddly ashamed that the
Americans have the culture to articulate this better than I can).

So I'm angry.  But you seem like a nice guy.  What's the point in me abusing
you?  Somehow, it's your responsibility.  You are the establishment.  So I'm
asking you to make this count.  To communicate this shame and frustration
upwards.

Thanks,
Andrew