12 Reasons to Carry On

Having a break allows time to think. Given that there's to be no legal challenge to TR and the contracts have been signed, is there any point in carrying on with a blog when it looks like the game is up? I think so and for the following reasons:-

• It's impossible to quantify what effect the blog is having, but it must be greater than zero.
• In addition to practitioners, we know it's read widely by Noms, Napo, Chiefs, privateers, politicians, media and academics.
• On average, it receives 5,000 hits a day.
• There's nothing similar.
• Given that we know TR is a complete omnishambles with no evidential base and no prospect of ever working, there's a responsibility to carry on highlighting this.
• There must be a means of countering bullshit and misinformation, from whence ever it comes. 
• Evidence shows the blog is a source of support and comfort to practitioners.
• It serves as a focal point for information exchange.
• And a platform for debate and discussion.  
• It will remain an audit trail and historical reference source.
• It's a place where contributors can publish varying viewpoints.
• It's simply too much fun to give up and I feel a responsibility to continue something I started.

As the new Probation Service owners come to realise the reality of what they've got themselves into, we have a golden opportunity to relentlessly shine a light on the unfolding next stages of this epic omnishambles. They've got to be held to account every step of the way, along with the politicians and MoJ officials that have so cynically created this mess. 

Not just that, but the General Election campaign also gets into full swing and I'm more convinced than ever that being online and blogging is the only place to be. Sadly, mainstream media, especially in the form of the BBC, continue to prove themselves increasingly unable or unwilling to report what's actually going on, rather than endlessly regurgitating press releases and planted stories spoon fed to them on behalf of ideological or narrow political and economic interests.

By way of example, I'm convinced that it's only because of the internet that 2015 will finally see the lid lifted on one of the biggest and appalling scandals to have ever involved the Establishment in this country. The historic, extensive and highly-organised systematic sexual abuse of children by prominent members of all branches of the State can't be contained any longer and it's the freedom to exchange information on platforms incapable of censorship or control that's made this possible at last.

Of course there are elements of the Wild West about it, but on balance I've found a huge amount of responsibility and informed comment around on the Web and that tends to stand out from the efforts of trolls or others with grossly mischievous intent. It's possible I'm being naive here, but as with most things in life, a cautious, sceptical approach normally pays dividends; caveat emptor, as they say. I think the case for carrying on is overwhelming. What do you think?