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Continue reading →: M’learned friend on social mobility
On the flight from Shanghai yesterday I almost cheered at the letters page of The Times, which was full of hostile responses to Milburn's odious report, as to which I blogged previously. The best letter was from from a barrister of my own vintage, Nigel Tozzi QC. He wrote; I…
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Continue reading →: A hero you don’t know
FT.com / Comment / Obituaries – Philosopher inspired overthrow of communism. Leszek Kolakowski is not the least of Polish thinkers little known outside his homeland. If you remember him for nothing else remember this simile. "Democratic socialism", he said, is "as contradictory as a fried snowball." RIP, sir.
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Continue reading →: Why the Left doesn’t argue honestly
Obama says recovery depends on healthcare | Markets | US Markets | Reuters. For the sake of argument, let's accept people on the political Left are sincere. Let's forget for the moment our suspicions that many of them use politics to win wealth, power and privilege their meagre talents could…
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Continue reading →: Another Labour lie
Top professions 'operate closed shop to exclude the poor' – Times Online. A government "report" on access to the professions has just been published. It shows that in the last 30 years law, medicine and other professions have become more socially exclusive. So I have blogged myself, from personal observation.…
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Continue reading →: Such a rich nation
In the Labour heartlands in Manchester is "The People's' History Museum," the disingenuous trading name of the National Museum of Labour History. Liberty-minded readers need know no more than that the word "People's" here is used as in "People's Republic". While, as a registered charity, it must purport to be…
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Continue reading →: In the dark again
This morning saw the first total eclipse of the Sun over Shanghai since (apparently) 1575. Sadly, after days of bright sunshine, the weather was overcast. One moment it was the light of morning, the next night. Drivers sounded their horns and people stopped to look up. Then the life of…
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Continue reading →: So what is the other 14%?
tompaine is 86% HeteroHow hetero are you? How hetero is Martha Stewart? Try out any Twitter name and get the real picture. Are we really the words we use? Hope to see you at Stockholm Pride! h/t The apparently 72% hetero Croydonian, without asking why he was cruising such…
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Continue reading →: On the word of a self-confessed liar, the PM is a moral man
Former No 10 aide Damian McBride breaks silence on smear scandal – Times Online. So, Mr McBride. You, a man who was prepared to spread a sickening lie about a political opponent to help your boss, now tells us said boss was shocked when you told him what you had…
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Continue reading →: Change
Last night I was in a Shanghai club, drinking with some young friends. We were discussing how the world might change in their lifetime. I remembered having a similar conversation with my late grandfather. His generation saw more change than any in history. He remembered seeing the first car in…
THE LAST DITCH
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.”
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I miss the more traditional Anglican services that I remember from my younger years. I haven’t regularly attended church services…
I’m an optimistic person but also a practical one. We need to take action and waiting for some deity to…
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The Last Ditch by Tom Paine 
She may be gone but you have all those wonderful memories :-)