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Not Dark Yet #323: "Now ain't the time for your tiers"

27/11/2020

7 Comments

 
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​Yesterday was Thanksgiving and, on my morning walk, I mused on those topics for which I wished to give thanks. I came up with the defeat of Trump, the return of Alex Cora to Fenway, and my rediscovery of Dando Shaft*. At which point I returned home to find that, in their infinite lack of wisdom, the government had placed Leamington Spa in Tier 3 on the basis that it falls in the same county as Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton and Bedworth. All of which are some distance from Leamington geographically, socially, and culturally. Not to mention in terms of Covid infection rates.
 
You may think that this is a sub-genre of NIMBYism, and it probably is, but the decision is unfair, unjust and unwarranted.
 
Four weeks ago, we went into Lockdown 2 in Tier 1. Four weeks of quarantine later, we are in Tier 3.
 
WTF?
 
I have been a good boy throughout both periods of lockdown. I have done what I was told and tried to maintain respect for authority. I have listened with great attention to the proclamations of government and government advisors. Yes, even those of Johnson and Hancock. I have accepted their decisions, even when it prevented me from visiting my 94 year old mother. I have “followed the science”.
 
Much good it has done me. I and thousands of others who have obeyed the rules are now to lose freedoms because of arbitrary decisions made by those with no idea of how people live their lives.
 
The prime minister spoke of the “whack-a-mole” approach which would ensure a targeted response. But now he has reneged on this and picked up his scattergun.
 
My argument is not libertarian. I do not believe that there is no such thing as society; rather the reverse. I am not with those MPs in the Tory party who come from this tradition and will, perhaps, vote against their government on Wednesday.
 
But I’ll take their votes if it means that some common sense will be brought to bear on this complex issue. I’ll take their votes if it makes a difference to those businesses which will not re-open because of this decision. I’ll take their votes if it means that thousands of young people will have jobs next year. I’ll take their votes if it means grandchildren can see grandparents.
 
This is a major crisis. Simplistic solutions based on simplistic analysis will not suffice.
 
And don’t forget, like Sunak, I haven’t even mentioned Brexit yet.
 
 
Today from the everysmith vaults: *Prompted by  twitter thread, I have been listening to Dando Shaft, a Coventry band with a Leamington singer, which rivalled the Fairports and the ISB in the early ‘70s but never achieved the success they deserved (though they did receive a great deal of critical acclaim). I commend them to you, although yesterday and today, what’s playing is The Complete Last Waltz, the greatest ever Thanksgiving show. And yes, I do omit the Neil Diamond bit.
 
7 Comments
(Notthat) Bob
27/11/2020 10:09:08

Great title. Bob ahead of the game again.

Reply
Peter
27/11/2020 12:45:52

I thought for a moment you were building up to call for a programme of mass civil disobedience. Maybe with Tory votes it won't be necessary. But I'm sure we can rely on Starmer to do the wrong thing.

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Allan
27/11/2020 16:09:20

It's been a while since I disagreed with you. There is no doubt that the analysis is sloppy and the decisions iffy at beat. And 8 know that you have a business close to your heart in Leamington. I think what these tory idiots have done is come up with another lockdown but call it something else. It may even have been the last act of Cummings before he left in ignominy. But it is the right thing to do. Now we need to lose this Christmas truce and we have a chance of getting through next year. Think about it.

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Vicki Rodham
27/11/2020 22:30:13

Yes Dad! We also have been “following the science” in NC but there are a few new executive orders recently introduced that we will not be following. Government incompetence and overreach is a serious concern at this time. Yet, there is much to be thankful for and you are one of them! Happy Thanksgiving! We miss y’all.

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PaulW
28/11/2020 08:07:27

If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year
Do you suppose, the walrus said,
That we could get it clear.

I doubt it, said the carpenter,
And shed a bitter tier.

Reply
Martin Eayrs
20/12/2020 23:56:01

Dando Shaft was indeed a great band, not least for the singing of Polly Bolton (also from Leamington). One of the great folk voices, alongside Sandy Denny, June Tabor and Jacqui McShee.

Reply
Gardening Arkansas link
12/12/2022 06:49:44

Thhank you for writing this

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     Max Smith

    European writer, radical, restaurateur and Red Sox fan. 70-something husband, father, step-father. and grandfather. Resident in Warwick, England.

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