Monday, July 23, 2007

I don't want to go on the cart

First of all, I'd like to offer an apology for going completely missing from the interwebs for the last wee while. It wasn't a planned absence and I'm slightly shocked to discover that it's been literally months since I last posted. Extra large apologies to those who've emailed or commented and not received replies during the hiatus. Also great big thanks to those who've offered kind words.

Without going into the gory details (which are neither particularly gory nor particularly interesting), let's just say that a combination of factors led to an overpowering case of Wonko the Sane syndrome.

Fortunately, or perhaps not, depending on your point of view, it does now appear to be passing. Proper posts on the way.

In the meantime, here's an article from the Gran:
The British government granted asylum to about 100 Iraqis between 2003 and 2005, but figures since then are unknown. It has refused to consider applications from among the 2 million Iraqis who have fled to Jordan, Syria and other neighbouring states.
And here's a related campaign to pressure the British government to offer asylum to Iraqis who have worked for the British government since the invasion and are now in grave danger as a result: We can't turn them away
The British Government response has come from the Home Office, which has suggested that Iraqis put at risk by their work for British troops ‘register with the UN refugee agency’.
It's a shameful state of affairs. The campaign aims to make sure that MPs are unable to avoid facing up to it.

Spread the word.

Update

My email is away. Moved house so I've got a new Liberal Democrat MP, one Robert Smith. (Not the one from The Cure unfortunately.) I'm told he's a decent chap.

You might also want to sign the petition set up by Davide.

19 comments:

doctorvee said...

Great to see you back blogging. Hope all is well now.

Tom said...

Agreed - one of the best out there, and sorely missed for the last few months.

Davide Simonetti said...

Great news! I'm delighted you're back again, I too missed reading your posts. I hope the break did you some good and I look forward to visiting regularly again - blogland needs you.

I'll be writing to my MP about the asylum issue and I'll post something about it shortly.

Cheers

Bill said...

Likewise! Your point of view has been sorely missed, even if it sometimes makes me see 'red' ;) - I hope to read more in days/weeks to come. Take care ...

Blair said...

So very nice to see you back! I have missed your commentary, and hopefully I can begin to sound like a well versed European again... not that I am really well versed or European, but reading you sure helped!

Anonymous said...

c'mon mate, sort it out! I've been waiting for you to get back to blogging for ages. Good to have you back.

Justin said...

Great to see you back, mate.

Tim said...

Ditto. You were sorely missed.

Mr Eugenides said...

Aw, I missed you too, you dirty leftie.

Let's never fight again.

Anonymous said...

welcome back

Davide Simonetti said...

I've created a petition on the Downing Street website which has now been approved. You can access it from here.
Please sign it and link to it. Perhaps it will help.

Cheers

Aaron Murin-Heath said...

Delighted.

Garry said...

*blushes*

Thanks all. I've missed you all too.

septicisle said...

Welcome back, you've been missed.

Devil's Kitchen said...

(Not the one from The Cure unfortunately.) I'm told he's a decent chap.

Yes, I've heard that he's a filthy Leftie too; you'd like him. I used to dress up like him. Every day.

Welcome back, O Hamsterish One...

DK

Anonymous said...

welcome back - it has been boring without you

Rachel said...

welcome back, oh missed-Hamster

Rab said...

Good news you are back, it is a pleasure to read your blog, regardless of the occasional disagreement.

You went on leave before the Scottish May elections, Tony Bliar was PM, so much has changed… get posting soon!

All the best.

Anonymous said...

I see, don't post for months then wait till I go on holiday to make a comeback. Thanks a lot.

Glad you're back though xx