The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

THE LAST DITCH

To Prague via Telc

Published by Tom

on

My fellow-students took a bus from Vienna to Prague yesterday. Having bought yet another "vignette" to drive on the Czech "motorways",  I met them at the lunch (and photo shoot) stop in the UNESCO world heritage city of Telc. Speranza performed patiently at the slower pace of motorised Czech life, but we had some "Ferrari moments" passing the many trucks that suggest Czech trade is booming.

One of my fellow-students, a charming lady from New York, hitched a ride from Telc to Prague and the time flew by as we chatted about this and that. Once again this proved that I would be far more comfortable as an American. The political views that terrify fellow dinner party guests in London went down perfectly well with her.

We had a sunset shoot in the Old Town and – having done the whole tourist thing many times before – I amused myself by photograping photographers making clichéd Prague photos. I call it paraphotography.

Prague1

My shots from Telc and Prague yesterday are here.

5 responses to “To Prague via Telc”

  1. Stan Mann Avatar
    Stan Mann

    Been reading your blog for years – well done sir! Seeing the writing on the freshly-decorated New Labour wall, I moved to Cz in the late 90’s. I’ve never regretted it. This is one of the last free countries in Europe, and I’d recommend a sojourn for those bruised by the U.K.’s current mode of P.C. justified soft fascism. Although the E.U.problem looms,the Czechs are experienced in the noble art of government bullshit detection and avoidance. Treat yourself, have a closer look.

    Like

    Reply
  2. james higham Avatar
    james higham

    Your time is far better spent in such pursuits.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    I have spent a lot of time over the years in Prague and it’s good to be back. I am having an educational and fun experience. I agree that the old Warsaw Pact countries are well-inoculated against statism. People whose parents and grandparents lived under near total state power are less likely to fall for the old lies of the charlatans who promise to solve all problems if they are given enough authority. But as the harsh vaccine wears off, the snake oil salesmen will return. The central problem of democracy is to stop them subverting the education system as only the honest teaching of history can extend its effectiveness.

    Like

    Reply
  4. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    I agree, James. I am working on my life/life balance!

    Like

    Reply
  5. Cascadian Avatar
    Cascadian

    I wonder if he regrets that tattoo?

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

Your blogger

Tom is a retired international lawyer. He was a partner in a City of London law firm and spent almost twenty years abroad serving clients from all over the world.

Returning to London on retirement in 2011, he was dismayed to discover how much liberty had been lost in the UK while he was away.

He’s a classical liberal (libertarian, if you must) who, like his illustrious namesake, considers that

“…government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”

Socials
    Subscribe

    Receive content by email

    Latest comments
    1. Lord T's avatar
    2. tom.paine's avatar
    3. Lord T's avatar
    4. tom.paine's avatar
    5. Lord T's avatar
    Recent posts