[Terese Coe]

Originally Posted by John Whitworth

The law here is an ass, Terese. People habitually say things on blogs which you would have thought would be prosecuted under that stuff about saying racist things. Mind you, the government and the vile EU are working on it. They want to regulate the internet, well of course they do.

"Regulate" is the euphemism for "profit from" in most cases and it's well under way, John. Internationally too. I can't imagine any place where the law is more addle-brained than here though.

Only one example (as I'm sure you know): Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, where the US Supreme Court decided that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.

And unions are a mere shadow of their former selves, so the most profitable corporations have become major threats to fair elections.

[Brian Allgar]

Never mind blogs and the Internet, John. At Hyde Park Corner, you can still say things that, anywhere else, would have you hanged for treason.

At least, you could the last time I took my soap-box there.

[Bill Greenwell]

Originally Posted by Mary McLean

Chorleywood's a lovely place -- I used to live there. In the servants' quarters, essentially. On reflection, yes, bomb it. Bomb it flat.

I think you're both right to focus on types of people not places. It felt uncomfortable to write about a place -- I'm sure Betjeman could never have done it after WWII.

Oddly enough, my research has just found the first publication of Betjeman's other bomb poem (In Westminster Abbey) - in New Statesman on 23 September 1939, under the pseudonym Archibald Oldys!
Bill

[John Whitworth]

It can't have been a competition entry though - too long.

[basil ransome-davies]

Originally Posted by Bill Greenwell

Oddly enough, my research has just found the first publication of Betjeman's other bomb poem (In Westminster Abbey) - in New Statesman on 23 September 1939, under the pseudonym Archibald Oldys!
Bill

At least in that one it's the enemy who are to be bombed, albeit on the plea of a selfish, snobbish 'lady'.

[Jayne Osborn]

What an entertaining thread. I've just read it all in one go (having been AWOL for some time, for various reasons. Did anyone miss me?)

Frank's entry is excellent, others too.

It's great to be back here. All the "D & A people" in one room would be such a hoot!

Jayne

[Mary McLean]

Yes we did miss you Jayne! Welcome back. I hope the renovations went well.

[Jayne Osborn]

Thanks, Mary. It escalated from just renovations (did I really say just ? ) to a month's illness, plus two family crises...

... but, as my husband likes to remind me: "What can't be cured must be endured."

Notwithstanding everything, I couldn't stay away from my lovely friends, like you, any longer!

Jayne

[John Whitworth]

We all missed you, Jayne. Welcome back.

[Douglas G. Brown]

Originally Posted by John Whitworth

The law here is an ass, Terese. People habitually say things on blogs which you would have thought would be prosecuted under that stuff about saying racist things. Mind you, the government and the vile EU are working on it. They want to regulate the internet, well of course they do.

John,
Maybe the trick is to write of an event as if the N was in some distant future age, reflecting on the past; which is the method of many science fiction writers.

For example;

When neutron bombs hit Washington
A public service had been done;
No bureaucrat, not even one
Remained alive.

No pulsing neuron did remain
Of any legislative brain;
And, joining the untimely slain -
Judicial jive.

The White House of the President
Contained no breathing resident.
The city seemed so hesitant,
With no one home.

No longer swaying world events,
Its bronze and marble monuments
Stood as a ruin not equaled since
The fall of Rome.