News

THIS is a story i read today that has shocked me, and i think has resonance with the plays and ideas that we have been discussing.

I think that the abuse of power by authorities is something that is hidden from public knowledge, until something as drastic as this happens. Considering that authorities are supposed to maintain a "firm but fair" approach to the holding of detainees-where is the line?  Is it okay for deportation officers to restrain people "firmly" to the point where they cannot breathe, and end up dying as a result of their treatment?

This, i think, links in with the theme of abuse of power, and how far people who have power will go with it (Such as Iphigenia being given the right to sacrifice upon the altar of Artemis). In Iphigenia in Tauris, Iphigenia is asked to sacrifice any foreigner that arrives on her soil; therefore using her power and being driven by the will of the gods to kill anyone who is "not supposed to be there" (on a superficial level, the ancient Greek version of these immigration officers, perhaps?!) If, in that time, the gods gave people the right to sacrifice anyone who was 'foreign' to the land, is this the same as an executive officer giving the go-ahead to use "reasonable force" to hold a detainee- and, in this case, excessive force to the point of man slaughter?
It certainly would seem that way.

Just thought i would share this, as it shocked me that this has been able to happen in a "civilised" society.

Suzanne