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10/04/2005: "It's been a while"
Had a pretty frenzied couple of weeks, due largely to the fact that some almighty tit (i.e. me) co-ordinated the month of September in such a way that the front bumper of the new academic year careered into the arse-end of the last one, amidst much shattering of glass and panicked screams. I mean, who was to imagine that requiring the Masters students to submit their 20,000 word dissertations by the end of September would in any way clash with the fact that 14 online modules were scheduled to be updated and online by exactly that date? And that all undergrad course materials were due at precisely the same time? But just in case that proved remoteley manageable, I figured, let's dump a Residential Weekend on the weekend of 31 Sep-2 Oct.
Ah yes, nothing like a realistic work plan. Absolutely nothing like one.
Nonetheless, I survived, with mind & body largely escaping permanent injury. Over this fortnight of manic intensity, I've been stock-piling all sorts of vaguely blog-worthy material, but most of it now looks pretty dated, & the incandescent rage that would have infused those entries has now largely dissipated - or at least, been redirected at more mundane targets (Uni admin & students!). SO here's a brief overview of what I would have said.
1. New proposed terrorism legislation. It will now, we are told, be an offence to talk about history in a manner which Charles Clarke has not approved. And that's barely an exaggeration. Actually, my rage at the 'glorifying terrorism' proposals turned to something more suspicious & cynical after I read the weekend's papers two weeks ago. Those left me with the distinct impression that this most Stalinesque of thought crimes wasn't so much further evidence of Blair's psychotic control-freakery, but another Nu Labour lightning conductor, fashioned with the express purpose of drawing fire from their other, more plausible proposals. Given that the papers in question included three frothing op-ed pieces dedicated to precisely these measures (from Simon Jenkins in the Guardian & Ians Bell & Macwhirter in the Sunday Herald), I'd have to conclude this tactic might be working. Mark my words, this one will be traded off in support for LibDem & Tory acceptance of the more 'moderate' proposals. You know, the ones that allow us to be locked up for 3 months (or will it be 6?) without charge because we are suspected terrorists.
2. Of course, we can pretty well trust the police not to use these new powers in a rash or heavy-handed manner. There is no real danger to those who wish only to protest peacefully against the government's policies. No need for concern that, say, over 600 people looking to protest peacefully will find themselves detained under terrorism laws at the Labour Party Conference.
3. The new series of The Dead Zone. What in holy hell is that all about? It's never been the fastest paced or most original of SF shows, but it was always pretty watchable, not least for the cutesy charms of Nicole de Boer. 
The one episode I've caught of the new one committed the unforgiveable sin of trying to tackle a serious subject, but doing so in a manner so offensively cack-handed that anyone who watched it was almost assured to leave considerably less informed than when they started. Unless, like me, they knew enough about the subject matter - brain dead folk - to disregard the ignorant, sanctimonious, superstitious pish, & just swear & throw things at the telly instead.
And Nicole wasn't even in it.
