Drawing a (dotted) line
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Until the Great Writ of habeas corpus runs again in the land that conceived it; until the presumption of innocence applies once more and "suspect" means only what the dictionary says; until the right of silence applies again, I cannot promise not to write here. But a line has to be drawn, at least for a while.
I can say nothing useful until the coalition government has had the chance to make those changes and many more. So far, they have spoken and written fair words, but handsome is as handsome does and they have already one very black mark against their name. I cannot quite believe that they have already used the very "control orders" (house arrests of innocents) whose introduction to Britain inspired me to start this blog.
As it happens, there are also changes in my own life I must deal with. Great, sad changes that make blogging - at least for a while - seem a very paltry thing. So forgive me if I fall silent for a while.
Best of luck.
Don't let the illegitimi grind your carborundum down, or whatever it is in latin.
In times of troubles, I have always found the following very ,very true: "Things never turn out as well as you hope but they are also never as bad as your worst fears."
It may not seem comforting at first, but it keeps you aware that the depths of despair are much further away than you think.
Posted by: Daedalus Parrot | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Damn!! only recently found you and you're off!!!
Still you have a few back posts I can plough through in a spare moment!
Good luck and haste ye back when you can...
Hope all goes well with you!
Posted by: Indyanhat | Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 09:35 AM
Chin up, Mr Paine ... all bad things heal in time.
Keep the faith!
Posted by: Obnoxio The Clown | Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 09:03 AM
My thoughts are with you & yours Tom.
What little I can do from here is yours to command.
CR
Posted by: Captain Ranty | Friday, June 18, 2010 at 11:26 PM
Will be thinking of you at this difficult time.
Posted by: Fay Levoir | Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 12:23 AM
I entered this site by chance, but I found very interesting. A greeting to all the people who visit this page.
Posted by: baresytapas | Thursday, June 03, 2010 at 09:52 AM
"Hey, are you all right there, old fella?" Ugg? Ugg?
"Just give us a shout if you need anything." ("..Uuugg, uuuugg, Ok?)
(Yep this is what an anatomically-modern hominid would have saidto another one in the neighbouring cave, who looked like he was in some difficulty.)
Posted by: David Davis | Monday, May 31, 2010 at 09:14 PM
CT said...
"...comfort from the knowledge that the people out here who hold you in esteem are also holding you and yours in their thoughts."
I think we all feel this way.
Posted by: Abramelin Asp | Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 06:07 PM
Mr. P
I'm very sorry to learn of the difficult circumstances in which you find yourself.
I sincerely hope that you will find the inner strength to deal with them and also a little comfort from the knowledge that the people out here who hold you in esteem are also holding you and yours in their thoughts.
Posted by: CT | Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Sorry to hear this, Mr. P.
Whatever is afflicting you, I hope you manage to work it out or work through it.
Very best wishes and I hope to hear from you again some time.
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Best of luck. When you decide to take up the keyboard again, we'll be here..
Posted by: JuliaM | Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Tom - I am sure that whatever confronts you, you will deal with them withe the same grace, wit and courage with which you write the blog.
I hope you don't stay silent for too long. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
Good luck and Godspeed
Jonathan
Posted by: Jonathan | Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Best of luck Tom. I will miss your writings for they helped me to formulate some of my thinking.
Posted by: Peter Whale | Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Good luck, I hope you can sort everything out in your private life.
You will be missed.
Posted by: Steve Thursby | Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 10:18 AM
cool! i've been always wanted to play a violen. wew! maybe i'll get a trainer of this. LOL
Posted by: maternity nursing clothing | Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 03:43 AM
Take care Tom. Sad times for many it seems.
Posted by: Colin Campbell | Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 02:02 AM
All the very best - looking out for when you can speak up again.
Posted by: Roger Thornhill | Monday, May 24, 2010 at 07:10 PM
I am sorry that your voice will be falling silent for a while, because I will miss your helpful and incisive comment.
I am, however, considerably more sorry that sad changes have come upon you. If I may be permitted to say so, may the Lord be with you.
Posted by: Young Mr. Brown | Monday, May 24, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Your voice will be missed. I wish you the grace and strength to deal with whatever confronts you.
Posted by: Phillip Downs | Monday, May 24, 2010 at 09:00 AM
May all be well with you and your family TP. Thinking of you all.
Posted by: JMB | Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 09:00 PM
It's a nice song, but it's target should be Brown and Blair.
Posted by: rinky stingpiece | Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Good luck to you and yours.
My thoughts are with you both.
Posted by: john miller | Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 04:34 PM