Unknown to the vast majority of readers, this blog has had quite a number of challenges and difficulties from a variety of directions over the years and each time my policy has generally been to sleep on things and take as much time as possible to consider a course of action. Without going in to any great detail, currently they are a mix of the personal, technical and philosophical.
Basically since 'flipping' yesterday and switching to comment moderation, I've received a number of very supportive messages and I'd like to thank the authors of them very much indeed - reader participation and involvement has always been the cornerstone of this blog and over the years your wisdom, wit, insight, testimony, compassion, empathy and general erudition has been a joy to behold and has certainly repaid in spades the effort I've put in keeping it going. It's certainly enriched my time, given me cause for hope and carried me through some quite challenging episodes.
Without doubt we are living through some very scary worrying times and everyone is having to find their own individual way of coping and rationalising what's going on. I've just recently finished reading a book about the political shenanigans of the three great allied statesmen of the Second World War and what I learned has shaken me considerably, not least the uncanny parallels with what's currently happening in terms of similar lies, bullshit and mendacity.
Of course, along with the model railway, it's pure escapism from the increasingly depressing and sterile environment that domestic probation has become for me here in England. I have a strong suspicion I'm going to need a few more sleeps before I decide how to proceed. Meanwhile, take care, stay safe and look after each other.
Well said - I hope that you keep at it.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt there is in the UK - what I described years ago after two incidents with different clients - where their detention arrangements were changed non judicially and without formal announcement is that at least at times there is, shall we say - an inner wheel of justice - as I framed it.
More recently by also considering wider historical issues, I too am coming to the conclusion that such strange actions take place about greater matters than only involving those already convicted of crime. Without suggecting a comprehensive conspiracy theory for all of British governance, it also seems that there are very determined forces who will go to immense lengths, to wear down, ridicule and hamper the publication of material that exposes the failings of the powerful and sometimes the mendacity of those associated with them.
Sometimes, I think it can be as simple as just keeping going, because the undermining, when it is not succesful does not go on for ever, as the people doing it eventually, themselves move on to other business, if they simply do not get fed up with their failure to shut down alternative voices.
Thanks to you and all those who wish your blog well.
Keep going. We need your honesty
ReplyDeleteUnderstand fully as someone who is also working through how to deal with the realisation that my values no longer sit comfortably with the demands of a post-TR organisation and the realities of a command-control HMPPS. There are too many times now where I feel I have to shut up. That senior management do not want anyone to speak out; that we must all play along with the "it's all lovely really" facade.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the book by the way?
'Friendly Fire - The secret war between the allies' published 2005. Just one snippet - FDR had his own Dominic Cummings who I'm pretty sure we've never heard of one Harry Hopkins a former social worker who studied and worked in London for a time and who ended up living in the White House for 3 years and was effectively deputy President pretty much running much of the war effort. He was destined to be the next President but was seriously ill and died before that possibility. Oh and it's quite likely he was a Soviet agent. This book blew me away on virtually every page and confirms beyond doubt politicians lie about pretty much everything as routine.
DeleteI was thinking of having a look at Friendly Fire, but having looked at other books by the lead author, Lynn Picknett, I have doubts about its scholarship. She has a track record of writing books that appeal to conspiracy theorists, such as The Templar Revelations: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ - and there are countless other books all on similar themes. In other words, she is no historian, and I think you'd have to take her claims and interpretations with a pinch of salt. I also had a look at the Wikipedia entry for Harry Hopkins. I couldn't find any reference to him having lived or worked in the UK and the allegations that he was a Soviet spy have never been given credence by historians. The allegations were first made - several years after Hopkins's death - during the Macarthyite hearings for Un-American Activities. The allegations were later dismissed by the FBI as either lies or delusions.
DeleteAnon 17:20 Yes your scepticism is understandable, but this book was a joint venture with three other authors including Stephen Prior an historian specialising in Intelligence and Robert Brydon a military historian. The team also worked on Double Standards:The Rudolf Hess Cover-Up. The other works you mention I would steer clear of, but Friendly Fire is of a different scholarly order I suggest with a comprehensive bibiography. I too read the wikipedia entry on Harry Hopkins but all I will say is that if you read what he did, the conclusion about being a Soviet agent is quite believable. Even if that allegation has no merit, there's plenty more in the book that will be of considerable surprise to the average reader who thinks they know a bit about Second World War its origins and prosecution.
DeleteThis is an interesting piece about Mr Hopkins:
Deletehttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0967772015588646
Very interesting - but still no mention of his time in London!
DeleteIntroduction
Harry Hopkins was the most important nontitled allied
leader in World War II. He was the trusted advisor of
President Roosevelt who managed the shuttle diplomacy between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin from
1941 to 1946. Throughout these tumultuous times,
Hopkins was seriously ill with a mysterious malady
that was variously called, gastric cancer, hemochromatosis, post-gastrectomy syndrome, Crohn’s, celiac disease, and cirrhosis. During World War II he required frequent transfusions, admissions to the hospital, and nutritional supplementation to keep him well enough to travel the world and manage the allied war diplomacy.
His medical history has been previously reviewed by
historians but there has been no unifying theory to
account for all his symptoms and his reported pathologic and autopsy findings. In this paper, we will review his political and medical history and carefully examine his clinical course and the evidence that supports a differential diagnosis of his illness.
There are some mentions of his time in England: e.g. p.52 onwards - "FDR sent Hopkins to England in January of 1941 to talk to Churchill and work out the details of the Lend-Lease program. The press often criticized the FDR/Hopkins relationship since Hopkins did not have an official title in the government for many of his functions. In fact,the press assumed that Hopkins would become ambassador to England when this trip was announced but FDR admitted that Hopkins was not strong enough to carry out the functions of an ambassador.33Upon his arrival in England, Hopkins was ill but he rallied quickly and met with Churchill as planned. Dueto his obvious illness Churchill described Hopkins as... ''a soul that flamed out of a frail and failing body. He was a crumbling lighthouse from which there shone the beams that led great fleets to harbor''... Hopkins met with Stalin and discussed what provisions Russia needed to continue the fight on the EasternFront. Hopkins immediately flew back towards England on 1 August but unfortunately lost his bag with all his medications. He became very ill on the trip back and was taken directly to HMS Prince of Wales Battleship in the North Atlantic and received medical care that included a transfusion. Churchill was also on the Prince of Wales and together they crossed the Atlantic to meet with FDR at Placentia Bay Canada where the Atlantic Charter was signed on 14 August 1941. During the first week of November of 1941, Hopkins was at Hyde Park with the President, working on production problems that were hampering the operational side of Lend Lease..."
DeleteMortification! An important lesson about checking sources before opening mouth. pg 73 confirms I have confused things by mis-reading that it was his 'most admired tutor Quaker Jesse Macy' who lived in London for many years and was an intimate of the Fabian Society. Apologies for the wild-goose chase - still an amazing story and worth a read in my view. Have now made a start on 'Blood, Tears and Folly' In the darkest hour of the Second World War pub 1993 by Len Deighton.
DeleteHi Jim, I don’t post that often. But I am one who will visit regularly, have a read and reflect on my own experience. It goes with saying, that for me this blog is a source of inspiration and guidance, keeping my practice in line with my core social work values. Many a time’s I have felt down or felt negative about my job but knowing there are other out there who think a like helps to break the isolation. Probation has been battered with robots who cannot think for themselves. Young ones who are career minded and want to race into management, putting their own shit and issues on other who have less power.
ReplyDeleteProbation is not how or what it used to be like. But in all the waves of changes; the blog is the one thing that has been consistent, true to the message and reliable.
We will carry no matter what but importantly we have to stick together.
Coronavirus has affected everyones lives. Its impacted more severely on some then others, but everyone is struggling in some way or other.
ReplyDeleteFor every fatality the virus claims, there are many more that are left mourning a loved one.
Whilst it's completely right for people to examine and dicuss the origins of the virus, how Governments have responded to the virus, what's truth and what's lies, and where its all going to end up, to continually do so can become very emotionally sapping in itself.
Perhaps today's blog could and the comments it attracts could recognise the struggles every one of us are living with, leave the blame and critisisms for another day, refrain from some of the tone and language that's been used recently, and be a little more supportive of each other?
How we all get through this is just as an important issue as identifying fault and failings of those coordinating the response.
Trup and Johnson were there yesterday, they'll be there tomorrow. Perhaps some might even share some of the ways they've developed to cope with these extraordinary times? A little lightheartedness perhaps could be a tonic in these dark times?
I've personally struggled with this lockdown because I'm someone who finds it difficult to stay in the house. I'm out at every opportunity. It's been particularly difficult because my partner is shielding, classed as extremely vulnerable to the virus, and we've been driving each other mad.
I suggested the other week she might consider growing some plants. She planted some tomatoes seeds in a pot, and was totally amazed when a week later she could see the green shoots of the developing plants.
Now I wish I hadn't made that suggestion, because the house is now full of egg boxes with each individual compartment filled with compost and contain every perceivable type of seed you can think of. Chillies, peppers, apple pips, grapes... The kitchen now resembles a garden centre.
She's also been focusing on her family tree, and having located the resting place of her great grandfather I was dispatched yesterday to the cemetery, armed with a plot number and a few clues provided by near by graves, to locate the unmarked grave and lay some flowers.
It took some hours to locate, and although I didn't really want to go in the first place, it was a deeply moving and satisfying experience, to lay flowers on a grave that was unlikely to have been visited or remembered for more then a century.
In hard times we all need to be able to feel a little sense wellbeing and goodness.
My own method of escaping lockdown and the problems it brings is to go on 'virtual walks'.
I think of places I've never been, or places I haven't been for many years, find a property for sale, Google the address, go on street view, and roam around. I've recently been to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I've been to Bristol and Cardiff. Even parts of London I'd never have dreamed of going to in real life.
Everyone is living in extremely difficult times, and we all need to do what we can to get through it. What we want, what we'd like are abstract notions for a future we're very unsure about at the moment.
The only truth is that 'we are where we are' and we've got what we've got. A little kindness, a little consideration and tolerance and understanding won't bring a cure for the virus, but I'm pretty sure it can ease the pain for many along the way.
'Getafix
A thoughtful piece of journalism worth reading in full:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-coronavirus-mask-standoff-reveals-dangerous-ripples-fragile-masculinity-ncna1205441
"Liz Plank - Trump's coronavirus mask standoff reveals the dangerous ripples of fragile masculinity. Imagine being so scared of appearing vulnerable (to a deadly virus) that you're willing to potentially hurt yourself, or others — or even die — to keep up the masquerade.
In 2010, a car insurance company conducted a study that concluded the average man will drive an unnecessary 276 miles a year before he asks for directions. How many American lives will President Donald Trump negatively affect before he has the courage to ask for directions?
The president was already the poster child for an outdated, dangerous and defunct form of masculinity before the coronavirus hit... The last thing we need is a president who uses his bully pulpit to promote an outdated male code that disproportionately endangers his own gender, especially given that wearing a mask doesn’t just potentially help protect the person wearing it, it protects others... ultimately, Trump’s petulance says more about him than it does about men. Imagine being so scared of appearing vulnerable (to a deadly virus) that you think a 6-inch piece of fabric will undermine your entire presidency."
Just wanted to voice a few words of support Jim. Your blog has been a source of go-to visits over these chaotic few years and I admire your determination and tenacity.
ReplyDeleteI left and retired after redundancy from probation in 2016 but still visit for your unique perspective and detailed insider knowledge and dedication. If I have one message, it is take care of yourself and these difficult personal times will pass. Best wishes.
Anon 10:51 Thanks for that - much appreciated.
DeleteJim, I want you to know that what you see on the blog is a small percentage of the readers. People like me read it on a daily basis to get comfort that we are not alone or mad! Your timely and calm interventions are essential to this.
DeleteMany thanks!
I should know this but I'm always disappointed when we get lapses of shared responsibility and how it can really damage something that essentially runs on mutual trust. Thanks for reminding me.
DeleteNot sure of the provenance but it seems to be a well-constructed, well-referenced piece of journalism. The sackings of a string of government employees who audit & control public finances fits with the story: May 15 - Steve Linick, State Department Inspector General; May 1 - Christi Grimm, HHS Inspector General; April 7 - Glenn Fine, Defense Department Inspector General; April 3 - Michael Atkinson , Intelligence Community Inspector General. All have been replaced with personal friends or well-heeled supporters of Trump:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Ygl2DiUdQ&feature=youtu.be
This approach translates as quite similar to events in the UK, with the issuing of private contracts & funded responses to the virus without parliamentary oversight or approval while unilaterally appointing chums to head & manage the various quangos.
There's a lot of profit to be made from this pandemic.
That's without considering the financial shenanigans of shysters like Rees-Mogg, the fund management companies hedging against currencies or using knowledge gained through their privileged positions to "invest customers' funds wisely".
Some are coping very nicely, than you very much!
Poor old Neil Gaiman, celebrated writer & tortured soul. I had a lot of time for him until reading this about the selfish insensitive oaf today:
ReplyDelete"Author Neil Gaiman has admitted breaking Scotland's lockdown rules by travelling 12,000 miles from New Zealand to his holiday home on Skye.
The 59-year-old said he flew "masked and gloved, from empty Auckland airport" to Los Angeles last week.
He then caught a British Airways flight to London before borrowing a friend's car and heading for Skye.
"I drove north, on empty motorways and then on empty roads, and got in about midnight, and I've been here ever since," he said.
"I needed to be somewhere I could talk to people in the UK while they and I were awake, not just before breakfast and after dinner. And I needed to be somewhere I could continue to isolate easily."
Mr Gaiman - whose main family home is in Woodstock in the USA - has owned the house on Skye for more than 10 years.
The English-born author wrote on his blog that until two weeks ago he had been living in New Zealand with his wife, the singer Amanda Palmer, and their four-year-old son.
He said the couple agreed "that we needed to give each other some space"."
In response to criticism of his actions he then followed the Rule of Jenrick - another oaf with numerous homes - with this self-important reply: "It's my primary residence. I'm a UK taxpayer and I'm on the voting rolls here."
In other news: ten elderly people at Home Farm care home Portree (Isle of Skye) have died, and almost all of the 34 residents have tested positive along with 29 staff.