A Discussion Site for Good Governance and Corruption in Public Life Issues in the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla in the West Indies, moderated by Don Mitchell CBE QC, of PO Box 83, Anguilla, British West Indies. Email me with your comments and contributions at: idmitch@anguillanet.com.
02 July, 2009
Judicious
Random thoughts on writers’ block.I have nothing of interest to post on the blog. It has been over a week now since the last one.A house-full of guests is part of the problem.The devil has no chance to get at my hands now . . .
Another reason is that the political season has begun.The campaigning is going to bring the issues out into the daylight.The discussion will be much more effective and relevant to the needs of Anguilla than anything I can write on the blog.I am content to let the politicians, old and aspiring, debate the topics that interest us all.My contribution will not be worth two cents by comparison.
I have never in my life attended an Anguillian political meeting.They are real drama, I am told.But, I am not inclined to start attending now.Too old and cynical.The result is that I shall be unaware of many of the subjects of discussion.Unless someone is kind enough to drop me a line now and then to let me know :-)
Another reason for my writer’s block is that I am hearing that there are some major developments going on in the court.Both the Magistrates Court and the High Court have been producing some very important orders and decisions.Major events are playing out in that forum.The public knows nothing about them save for rumour.The court’s contribution to social development might as well be a play performed on a blacked-out stage.The singer’s mouth is moving, but the microphone has gone dead.There is no reporter who has the time to attend court and write up the happenings.No press-officer is employed to publicise what it is doing.There is a tradition that lawyers do not prepare press releases boasting about their forensic conquests.Most lawyers do not even receive the orders and judgments of the High Court in cases that do not concern them.Even though court decisions are public documents, they are dealt with as if they are private to the parties.Very few final judgments are posted on the Court’s website.Those few that are posted are out of date.I am reluctant to lean on any of my legal friends to beg them to scan and email me copies as they come to hand.What a waste of judicial time and effort.Such a pity, really.
It is a shame you haven't got links to other brittish overseas territory blogs. We all seem to have so much in common, I have a link to your blog on mine.
We have a sign in our house that reads LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE !! Do that as long as you can, along with the other things you do. You are not old. Say that in another 25 years and I may agree with you.
Have you heard the saying, "In mans struggle against the world, bet on the world."? Sometimes we must stop struggling with the world. (I know, easier said then done.) I believe that frustration is a better word than cynical. We want to have answers and control of situations, and when that is not possible we do not know what to do.
Anyhow I am quite sure that it is not the devil that moves your hands.
Anonymous on belonger Well this is controversial. What about people who parents are from Anguilla? My both parents are "Anguillians" but I was born elsewhere. ... (more)
idmitch on roads Yes, in my experience it is the norm in Anguilla for government to take private property to create or to widen a public road without paying... (more)
Anonymous on roads Don, Is it the norm for the Government of Anguilla to take ones property create a public road without paying compensation to the owners?... (more)
Anonymous on orders in council Good day as i stream through the many post on what was once a great island of incredible people its quite apparent that Anguillians have lost sight... (more)
Anonymous on construction Those interested in promoting transparency and accountability in the construction sector will be interested in the Construction Sector Transparency... (more)
Anonymous on end It's very disappointing to see the end of this blog. As much as I love Anguilla, this blog is one of the few things that I actually admire &... (more)
Anonymous on end Don if we lose your blog it could be very detrimental to Anguilla.Just imagine if we lose axareality.com as well then the peoples voices will not be... (more)
Anonymous on end Don, We are very saddened that you feel forced to end this blog. You have been a voice of reason and have provided a forum for discussion on so many... (more)
Anonymous on end Don Mitchell is sued to shut him up because someone in power doesn't like what he is saying. John Benjamin's radio program, Talk Your Mind,... (more)
Anonymous on end UK (thus Anguilla...) is 19th in press freedom worldwide. US is 20th.http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html... (more)
Anonymous on business licence To the photographer who posted the above question on 10/22/10:Unfortunately, this blog is not currently active so I don't who may see it, and... (more)
Anonymous on end So, all agree this blog is needed, who will step up and continue it ?... (more)
Tim Halberg on business licence I'm a little late to the chase... but curious, as an American visiting Anguilla to photograph a wedding, do I need a business license to do this?... (more)
Anonymous on end As a lover of Freedom of Speech and a detestor of Censorship, it saddens me that this has happened to you.You were the only voice of reason that... (more)
Anonymous on end Truth? What media outlet ever promised us the truth? Well,I suppose they've all made that claim at one time or another,but who in Anguilla has... (more)
Anonymous on end Don, your blog is vitally important to Anguilla and is widely read beyond its shores. Everyone - even those who may occasionally disagree with you -... (more)
Anonymous on end Come on Don, a man of your experience ought to be able to phrase your postings carefully enough to avoid any real threat of a defamation action.... (more)
Anonymous on end Oddly enough, one's word choices are holographic. Also, "did you write this?" asked under oath is a pretty strong deterrent to known... (more)
Anonymous on end And if all else fails, just invent a screen name and start your own headings on axareality... (more)
Don.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame you haven't got links to other brittish overseas territory blogs. We all seem to have so much in common, I have a link to your blog on mine.
We have a sign in our house that reads LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE !!
ReplyDeleteDo that as long as you can, along with the other things you do.
You are not old. Say that in another 25 years and I may agree with you.
Have you heard the saying, "In mans struggle against the world, bet on the world."?
Sometimes we must stop struggling with the world. (I know, easier said then done.)
I believe that frustration is a better word than cynical. We want to have answers and control of situations, and when that is not possible we do not know what to do.
Anyhow I am quite sure that it is not the devil that moves your hands.