Watch Out! There's a Raccoon about!
Just when you thought it safe to go back in the water, eh?
Ms Raccoon stirred briefly yesterday – as several sharp eyed readers noticed – and thought she might write something again.
As you probably figured out for yourselves, being intelligent creatures and all that, I have been exceedingly ill.
Allegedly (the indispensable journalistic mot du jour for 2014) I still am – so I cannot say how often I will be around. Surgery was not a huge success and I am now in the middle of 30 sessions of radiotherapy – which is fine, we can cope with that: but Ms Raccoon being so goddam special, naturally she has to have the latest bells and whistles radiotherapy called Tomotherapy which is only available in Bordeaux. Add to all the usual delightful after-effects of radiotherapy, a 250 km round trip with a crazy French taxi driver every day, not to mention the equally crazy nurse who arrives every morning and insists on dousing all my equipment with oil of orange essence –‘d’être calme et tranquille’ – and you end up with a very tired and irritable Raccoon wot smells like a marmalade factory and hasn’t got time to blog – and if she did find the time, would probably take someone’s head off anyway.
In (very) temporarily good humour – may I just say, thank-you for the literally hundreds of kind e-mails that have stacked up here, and apologies for not making personal replies; I really haven’t been in any condition to do so. Please accept this blog post as a mass reply!
Then – are there any Thesis designers out there? As you can see, there are problems with the typeface and picture positioning which weren’t there before and I certainly don’t have the time to sort them out – so if you do, and you are willing, please make yourself known!
So what finally got through to the semi-comatose ‘dormouse’ Raccoon? Need you ask? Media coverage of the latest show trials to hit the front pages!
The everlasting Yewtree….
There is so much wrong with it that I don’t know where to start; from the creepy grooming of the media by their quiet acquiescence to the notion of a pantomime villain known as ‘Savile’ – no ‘Mr’ – who has been ‘exposed as a predatory paedophile’ by fearless investigative journalists, once he was dead of course; to their obsequious description of others who have had ‘allegations’ by ‘alleged victims’ flung in their direction, but remain ‘Mr’ Harris, ‘Mr’ Roach and ‘Mr’ Travis whilst they remain innocent in the eyes of the libel lawyers. Apparently ‘alleged victims’ are only to be automatically believed when the ‘alleged perpetrator’ is sufficiently decomposed.
Nobody, in so far as I am aware, has ever been the subject of a libel action as a result of walking into a police station and asking that a possible crime be investigated. All the media’s claims that ‘draconian libel laws’ (they do love that adjective) prevented ‘Savile’s victims’ from ‘obtaining justice’ are total nonsense. What the libel laws did do was prevent the media from publishing stories without the sort of evidence that would stand up in a court of law – they had zero effect on any apparent victim walking into a police station. Anybody who doubts that has only to read today’s newspapers; The media have no more intention of fearlessly ‘exposing as a predatory paedophile’ any of the respectfully addressed defendants in the current trials until either they are found guilty of the charges or conveniently drop dead. It is classic journalistic hand-wringing ‘past the gatepost’ child protection. The gateposts being situated at either Wandsworth prison or the local mortuary.
Is it ‘cos I’s black?
Something else bothering me about the current high profile trials. The ‘accused’ fall into one of three categories; right wing comedians, disc jockeys and those who unwisely raised their heads above the parapet to comment on the Yewtree progress. Now the music business has since the 60s been a major employer of the black community – and yet they are strangely unrepresented in the crop of ‘he was a monster but I was too scared to speak out before’ arrests. What is it that unites them? Are we to believe that no left wing comic, or black disc jockey, or black musician come to that, has ever had any contact with a young girl that she feels in hindsight was abusive? Are men who aspire to politically correct humour on stage, or prefer the steady beat of American soul music somehow immune to the charms of the nubile young girls who flock to listen to them? They seem to fit the bill of ‘attracted to a career that brings them in contact with impressionable youngsters’ – and yet despite all the publicity which has encouraged alleged victims to speak out at last, not a single left wing comic or black musician has apparently given rise to a historic claim of abusive behaviour. Shouldn’t somebody be interviewing them to find out how it is that they have managed to tailor their behaviour to fit the standards required? It would be valuable information that should be shared if we are to protect children and ensure justice before they are tottering into old age.
Time for me to go back to sleep……
“ZZZ-Zzzz-ZZzzz-hngGGggh-Ppbhww- zZZzzzZZ . . .”
- johnny howson
January 15, 2014 at 3:54 pm -
You are not Brown Bread! Yes!!!
Fantastically good news……..I have been so worried.
May soon good fortune come your way
XX Johnny Howson
- Rightwinggit
January 15, 2014 at 10:39 pm -
She’s baaaaaa-aaaack!
- Rightwinggit
- Fred Thrung
January 15, 2014 at 4:03 pm -
Hooray – word from Anna. I did wonder yesterday whether that was the first intimation of a return to the interwebs.
So sad to hear of your continuing health issues.
Welcome back – you’ve been sadly missed.
- DtP
January 15, 2014 at 4:06 pm -
Dear Anna
Perhaps you could ask the nurse to conduct a Seville inquiry into the marmalade?
I guess it’s pretty cool that they’ve got new fangled treatments and tampering capabilities to foist on your raccoonish self and I really hope it all does it’s thing.
All the very very best xxx
- Mark
January 15, 2014 at 4:06 pm -
Welcome back, Anna!
- Caedmon’s Cat
January 15, 2014 at 5:07 pm -
Welcome back! This Cat is so pleased that the Raccoon is still about. You’re in good hands.
- wiggia
January 15, 2014 at 5:10 pm -
There has been a lot of very real concern over your state of health, may I say on behalf of many that everybody is rooting for you.
- Alan Scott
January 15, 2014 at 5:42 pm -
How good to hear (read) the authentic voice again!
All power to your elbow and typing fingers, Anna. - Brian
January 15, 2014 at 5:43 pm -
Ms Raccoon,
You’re back! Brilliant news! Keep drinking the Bordeaux; I never knew it contained anything but grapes and corn plasters, but if it makes you better open another bottle. Must be something in the terroire.
Best wishes to Mr G.
- Monty Cristo
January 15, 2014 at 6:03 pm -
So glad you’re up and about and fighting. Wish you well with the treatment.
- macheath
January 15, 2014 at 6:07 pm -
Very best wishes, Mme R; it’s a great relief and pleasure to hear from you again (though I wish you had given some advance warning of the ‘marmalade’ crack – snorts of hilarity don’t go down too well in a library, especially from someone who is already inexplicably grinning from ear to ear).
- Claire
January 15, 2014 at 6:11 pm -
Glad to have you back, Anna, and good luck with the medecins. Regarding sexual predators of a suntanned hue, does the name R. Kelly ring any bells? Considering what he’s been up to and what his victims have had to put up with, nobody’s talking. OK, it’s the US and we all know the US is exceptional.
- Chris
January 15, 2014 at 6:12 pm -
Welcome back – and all the best for your recovery.
You’ve been much missed, though we’ve kept flying the flag of truth in your absence x - Sackerson
January 15, 2014 at 6:50 pm -
Welcome back! Please don’t disappear like that again.
- Radical Rodent
January 15, 2014 at 7:22 pm -
Let it be known that it is not only youmans and cats who appreciate your wit and wisdom. Cling on in there.
- The Filthy Engineer
January 15, 2014 at 7:43 pm -
Great to see you back. I’m afraid I like others did fear the worst, but am now overjoyed to see you return.
- rabbitaway
January 15, 2014 at 7:53 pm -
We’ve been keeping your seat warm ! xx
- charlotte walters
January 15, 2014 at 8:04 pm -
Very happy to hear that you feel well enough to meet with us all again. That must be mighty powerful medicine you’re getting.
I hope you will become stronger in the coming days. - Ed P
January 15, 2014 at 8:19 pm -
Welcome back – the world just got brighter again. I hope the Tomo does the trick and you’re soon in remission again.
- Tom
January 15, 2014 at 8:29 pm -
Good to hear from you. You have been in everyone’s thoughts. Here’s hoping for that bloody remission eh?
- Old Codger
January 15, 2014 at 8:43 pm -
Welcome back Anna, I so hoped you would make it. May the dreaded chemo work wonders and return you to pristine status.
- Scott
January 15, 2014 at 8:48 pm -
Anna it’s so good to know you’re still alive and kicking, whilst the inevitable will occur (as to us all), I, amongst all your myriad wellwishers, am damn glad you show no signs of going quietly.
- Furor Teutonicus
January 15, 2014 at 8:59 pm -
You CAN fight it lassie. Good to see you back.
I, and I am sure WE, look foreward to your recovery.
FIGHT!!!
- Schrödinger’s cat
January 15, 2014 at 9:06 pm -
Not been here for some time. I even see you have other cats here.
I don’t mind. Really.
Just want you blogging for another 100 years.
- Rightwinggit
January 15, 2014 at 10:52 pm -
WELL, THERE’S ALWAYS CATS…CATS ARE GOOD.
Or as he briefly said to me this May when I was in hospital:
AH…I’M TOO EARLY, AM I?
- Rightwinggit
- Bill
January 15, 2014 at 9:08 pm - Single Acts of Tyranny
January 15, 2014 at 9:17 pm -
Beyond good to see you on the mortal coil. You have genuinely put a smile on my face this evening. Be strong and when the mood strikes and energy permits, blog often. You are one of the very best.
- Ralph Hancock
January 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm -
Very best wishes. May you emerge from this dismal time to enjoy better days. Even if you can never face an orange again, they are not the only fruit.
- Judd
January 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm -
Good to see you back, wishing you well.
Been missing your ultra pithy comments about the endless Yewtree Saga, see you’re on form again.
Keep it up.
Regards
Judd
- Rob F
January 15, 2014 at 9:41 pm -
Welcome back, Anna!
Glad we don’t have to resign ourselves just yet to living in an even darker world than we were already.
Best wishes and prayers winging their way towards you…
- Mudplugger
January 15, 2014 at 9:47 pm -
That long silence was far from golden. Just glad the noise has returned, it’s been a pretty barren web of late.
Keep fighting on all fronts.
- Johnny Monroe
January 15, 2014 at 9:55 pm -
As Steed would have said – ‘Mrs Raccoon, you’re needed!’ Boy, you ARE! Here’s hoping you can overcome the shit you’ve had to deal with and can continue to dispatch missives to those of us who cherish common sense and the truth. Our numbers may be small, but at least we remain the lone voices of reason amidst the torch-carrying lynch-mobs. What’s that coming over the hill? Is it a MONSTER?
- Coco
January 15, 2014 at 9:58 pm -
Fight the good fight Anna! I was directed to your refreshing and clear viewed blog by an article in an old ” Spectator” by Rod Liddle, who is clearly a fan, and now so am I.
Best wishes for your continued recovery. - Thomas Fuller
January 15, 2014 at 10:02 pm -
My very best wishes to you, Anna. Get better this instant! You are needed!
- Dioclese
January 15, 2014 at 10:07 pm -
Hi, Anna. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to find that you’re in the land of the living. We’ve all been very worried indeed that you disappeared so suddenly – believe it or not none so more than myself.
Bugger the blog layout! There are more important things to worry about. I’m certainly no expert with Thesis but if I can help to pretty things up I certainly will. I’m on holiday from next Thursday for a couple of weeks so I suggest you concentrate on getting yourself through the chemocrap (daughter’s expression – she’s a radiotherapist) and if nobody else comes forward by the time I’m back and you’re a bit more ‘with it’ perhaps I’ll be able to help.
Main thing is you look after yourself because everything else is secondary!!!
- Bill Sticker
January 15, 2014 at 10:31 pm -
Naughty Anna had us all worried. Bad girl.
Next time you need to take a blog break through illness, let us know you’re still breathing. Good luck with the Chemo.
- David Davis
January 15, 2014 at 10:38 pm -
What a relief to see you back. Legiron told me.
You’ve just got to Keep Buggering On now, and it will all be all right.
- JimmyGiro
January 15, 2014 at 10:41 pm -
Glad you’re still kicking.
- Michael J. McFadden
January 15, 2014 at 10:43 pm -
Wonderful to see you back Anna, though sad to hear you’re being subjected to so much. 250km with a French Taxi Driver! Hors d’oevres! (er, sorry, that’s about the extent of my French and it sorta sounds like “Horrors!”)
Keep on fightin’ gal!
And while I have no idea of the guilt or innocence of Mr. Savile, I have to say that I *greatly* admire *anyone* who’s willing to stand up and demand a fair hearing for someone who’s being so universally scorned. That takes far more courage than simply joining the bandwagon out there.
– MJM
- Rightwinggit
January 15, 2014 at 11:10 pm -
“Quelle horreur”?
What red light?
Neeeeeeeowww…..
- Rightwinggit
- Carol42
January 15, 2014 at 11:22 pm -
Wonderful to have you back Anna, everyone was so worried about you. If you can survive these taxi rides I am sure you will cope with the radiotherapy. Beet wishes for a good recovery.
Carol - dave roderick
January 16, 2014 at 12:14 am -
do not know if it works make your own mind up good luck with your health
Read all the way to the end and pass to all friends, very interesting, if it is true,
better then the last article on Asparagus!
Asparagus
Very interesting!When I was in the USN I was stationed in Key West, FL. I worked at the clinic at Naval Air Station on Big Coppitt Key just a few mile north of Key West. The hospital at Key West was for outpatient only for retired armed forces personnel that lived in the area. If you needed to be hospitalized you were sent to Homestead AFB Florida. I had the day off and just went inside the hospital (Corpman barracks were next to hospital). There was a retired navy man that worked in the lab and he was very interesting gentleman to talk with. He was a retired biochemist from the USN. he asked me what was going on that day and I said I had the day off. I wish I was working as the crew on today was taking a sailor to Homestead as he had a very bad kidney infection. Now this elderly gent told me the man should have eaten more asparagus and he wouldn’t have that problem. I asked why? I’ll never forget him saying do you eat asparagus and I said yes, I love them. He replied you notice how your urine stinks after eating asparagus? I said well I never thought it was what I ate but yes it does have a pungent odor. It is because it is detoxifying your body of harmful chemicals!!! This was back in 1986 when I was stationed there and to read this email again I had to share this story…Eat more asparagus my friends.
Asparagus — Who knew?
My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus, pureed it and took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist said she will not need to see him for 3 months.
THE ARTICLE:
Several years ago I met a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a copy of an article, entitled “Asparagus For Cancer” printed in the Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: I am a biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise
Case No. 2, A successful businessman, 68 years old, suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he began taking asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.
Case No. 3, On March 5th 1971, a man who had lung cancer was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is now back at his regular business routine.
Case No. 4, A woman had been troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after beginning asparagus therapy, the skin specialist said her skin looked fine with no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which had started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus treatment.
I was not surprised at this result as `The elements of materia medica’, edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates! We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.
For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using. Fresh or canned asparagus can be used. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives. Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree. Store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent.’ Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink. As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer.
Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good. It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.
Just a side note… In case you are wondering why this has not been made public, there is no profit in curing cancer!
Please send this article to everyone in your Address Book. The most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one has received.- Doktor von Blocked Dwarf
January 16, 2014 at 8:33 pm -
This is well known ‘Urban Legend’/spam email that has been making its rounds since at least 2010 -when I first saw it and probably much longer than this. Asparagus won’t cure cancer & can, apparently, actually make some cancers WORSE. http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/medical/a/asparagus_cancer.htm
- Doktor von Blocked Dwarf
- Stephen Brown
January 16, 2014 at 12:22 am -
Anna,
I’m a long-time lurker but a very seldom commentator. Your return to the blogosphere is most welcome, indeed. I am one of your most ardent supporters and wish you a recovery as soon as possible.
I thank you for your diligence, perseverance and downright bloody-mindedness is your investigations, all of which have held me enthralled.
I thank you.
Steve. - DICK R
January 16, 2014 at 12:46 am -
I am new to following your blog , but you always seem to cut through the bullshit best wishes !
- The Blocked Dwarf
January 16, 2014 at 1:10 am -
St Anna Of Raccoons, patron saint of all Tupperware and Rubbermaid sellers…. on the 3rd Day she arose from wayback.com as fresh as the day she was deleted.
Good to see you back (actually MORE than good but I’m British and anything more than ‘nice’ is a physical impossibility to express).
Mind you, if we ever met IRL you’d be on the receiving end of a Blocked Dwarf BEAR STARE for not at least putting up a ‘I’m not dead, just ill’ notice on your blog instead of letting us all rend our garments and spread ashes upon our heads. *is just a little pissed at you…in the nicest possible way*.
- Junican
January 16, 2014 at 3:56 am -
Damn it! I thought that we had seen the back of you!
Seriously, great to see you back. Go with the flow and remember that you have INFINITE worth.
- JohnB
January 16, 2014 at 4:46 am -
Best wishes to you, indeed!
Good to see your writing. - direwolf
January 16, 2014 at 6:41 am -
Imagine my surprise when I fired up my email prog and noticed a new message in the Anna Raccoon RSS feed.
I almost fell off my chair with happiness when I realised that it wasn’t just some IT glitch.
Good to hear from you again, keep on keepin’ on :o)
- SagaxSenex
January 16, 2014 at 8:06 am -
Welcome back. As you may have noticed, you’ve been missed.
- John Richmond
January 16, 2014 at 9:33 am -
Welcome back.
I only know you through your writings but the abrupt withdrawal of the website caused me to mourn your possible passing. I’m glad to see you’re still with us. Good luck for the future. I hope to read your words for years to come.
- Dick Puddlecote
January 16, 2014 at 10:09 am -
Great to read your caustic prose again, Anna, welcome back even if only on sporadic occasions.
- VftS
January 16, 2014 at 10:21 am -
It *is* a happy new year.
- Ellen Coulson
January 16, 2014 at 10:33 am -
Hi Anna. Glad you’re feeling up to posting a bit. Welcome back.
- Nicola
January 16, 2014 at 11:52 am -
Wonderful to have you back and I wish you well.
- Overthehill
January 16, 2014 at 12:08 pm -
U dun good girl!
Prayers answered. - acuriousyellow
January 16, 2014 at 12:19 pm -
great news, Anna will pray for your full recovery. on your old site I remember references to another person (blogger) who followed this ‘saville’ nonsense closely but when you shut down I couldn’t track back to any of the references to him, whats that site called?
You take it careful now and get well. - patently
January 16, 2014 at 1:20 pm -
Welcome back, Anna.
My professional work involves me in radiotherapy machines quite a lot. Rest assured that the round trip to the Tomotherapy machine is worthwhile, they are very precise instruments.
All the best.
- GildasTheMonk
January 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm -
“Great to have you back, Andy!” – The Warden, The Shawshank Redemption
- macheath
January 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm -
Brother, the (mercifully) temporary closure of the Raccoon Arms deprived us of your inspiring meditations as well – will you be drawing up a bar stool and holding forth here again soon?
- macheath
- Wigner’s Friend
January 16, 2014 at 1:28 pm -
Belatedly, what they all said.
- Chris
January 16, 2014 at 2:30 pm -
The Clangers and Noggin The Nog are due to take the stand this afternoon in The Trial Of Bagpuss
‘acuriousyellow’ – I think you must mean Moor Larkin’s blogsite http://jimcannotfixthis.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I_8Qzv7C8Y
- sally stevens
January 16, 2014 at 5:32 pm -
Welcome back, if only sporadically for now.
You know, that’s a darn good point about black entertainers being somehow exempted from the witch hunt. Wonder why that is?
- Lucozade
January 17, 2014 at 7:08 pm -
sally stevens,
Re: “You know, that’s a darn good point about black entertainers being somehow exempted from the witch hunt. Wonder why that is?”
It’s not P.C to accuse coloured people of doing bad things, nor helpful to the powers that be because it could stir up bad feelings against immigrants etc (probably why not a particularly huge fuss was made over the Rochdale case, compared to the Jimmy Savile ‘case’. Only white men (preferably wealthy) are allowed to be demonised in the media.
Also, a black guy could incorporate into his defense (especially if there is actually no real evidence against him), ‘this is racism’, ‘this is cos I am black’ and create a big scandal, and get a lot of other blacks on his side. Just guessing here, lol….
- guthrie
January 17, 2014 at 11:06 pm -
‘cos they got them for drugs or violence or money crimes already?
(apropos of some black musician who died at home a few years ago during the police search of his house for drugs and stuff. Some of his followers said the police killed him)Also speculating on numbers is a little unwise unless you’ve got a good idea of how many white entertainers there were compared to black ones. There could be a thousand white ones, and a rate of 1% so 10, but if there’s only 100 black ones then the 1 offender could still get away with it or sneak under the radar.
Or maybe, as Anna has been wondering about, many such allegations are false and there are actually few such people around.
- Lucozade
- drsolly
January 16, 2014 at 6:07 pm -
Welcome back Anna!
- johnnyrvf
January 16, 2014 at 6:13 pm -
Great to know you never left! I still owe you a coffee so when you are up to it I am only around the corner…….
- MTG
January 16, 2014 at 6:16 pm -
Hello Anna and Happy New Year to you.
You may have missed news of Yewtree’s Superintendent Kojo Oguguomakwa making assurances there is to be no blacklisting on his watch. - delcatto
January 16, 2014 at 7:47 pm -
Welcome back! We’ve missed you. xx
- Slider
January 16, 2014 at 8:34 pm -
Another long time lurker here, a lurker because I don’t think I’ve much useful to add but this time feel I just have to say (along with everyone else!) how good it is to see you back!
I’ve checked your site almost everyday since you disappeared and was over joyed to see something appear yesterday, imagine my delight on checking it tonight to find you alive and kicking! - Margaret Jervis
January 16, 2014 at 10:11 pm -
Commeth the hour…who else but the Raccoon?
- Harrythebloke
January 16, 2014 at 10:20 pm -
Hi Anna
Welcome back, you have been sorely missed.
H - RAB
January 17, 2014 at 12:17 am -
Much relieved to find you still with us dear lady. Fingers very much crossed for your future.
I have never commented here before, you have generally said what I would have already, but I read you regularly. Now here’s a funny thing though, about the Savilegate periferaries… I worked in the Crown Court in Bristol for 12 years, sometimes as Assistant Listing Officer. The Listings office is the hub, it keeps the whole sheebang on the road and running smooth. But it is a nightmare to get a trial on and to run to time. Barristers and witnesses may not be available at a set time etc. Postponements are almost inevitable, yet somehow, miraculously, three Savilegate suspects all turn up in court on the same day, Harris, Roach and the Hairy Cornflake, in three different courts in three different cities. That is a mind boggling piece of co-ordination and planning in my humble hands on past experience.
So how did they manage that? and for whos benefit? Couldn’t be the jolly old Meeja could it?
- Moor Larkin
January 17, 2014 at 7:33 am -
re. the question of colour.
That’s probably because we only had black and white telly in the old days.
You might be better off asking why there are no stars of the ITV network yewtree’d so far.
Best thing is that you’re still asking questions.- charlotte walters
January 17, 2014 at 10:16 pm -
I have wondered why ITV have not been targeted by yew tree. Do you have any thoughts?
- Chris
January 18, 2014 at 1:02 pm -
ITV haven’t quite ‘evaded capture’ – Once Kevin Le Webster was stitched up by the CPS, his colleagues sprang to his defence in a chorus of support. All of a sudden the Murdoch Press & The Mirror, along with their puppet Mark John-Thomas, seemed to take against this much-loved ‘National Institution’ established in the 1960’s. Then Bill Roache made the mistake of thinking we still had Freedom Of Expression and it all spiralled from there… He was lurking outside of Roache’s house when he was arrested (playing pocket billiards no doubt), and neither he nor the tabloids have missed an opportunity to stick the boot in ever since.
They appear to want to destroy ‘the Longest Running TV soap’ as much as the do the BBC’s legacy of quality broadcasting.
- Chris
- charlotte walters
- Dioclese
January 17, 2014 at 9:47 am -
Whoa – tomotherapy! That’s real state of the art radiotherapy combining an MRI scanner and multi beam highly focussed radiation. It’s only been around for about 5 years and there’s only 15 places in France that do it – there’s 7 in the UK, so as usual the French are way ahead of us. Mind you, I expect you already knew all this…
You can’t get better apparently. Maximum damage to tumour, minimum damage to healthy tissue. Sounds like you’re getting the very best which is great news. I think you’re probably more at risk from the mad taxi driver!
You hang on in there, gal!
…and can I come and lick the marmalade off
- General Mayhem
January 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm -
Welcome back Anna. T’ blogosphere ain’t been the same without you.
Best wishes for a continuing recovery.
- Crispin
January 17, 2014 at 6:02 pm -
So pleased you’re back Anna. As you know from all the emails and comments you are so loved by us all.
Although you had warned us you may be closing the blog down due to ill health I thought someone would have kept it open, if only as an historical archive of your thoughts and arguments from years gone by. It can’t cost that much to keep the pages open. So much forgotten rubbish seems to exist on the web for ever and a day, yet quality material like yours disappeared without a trace. People write books for a kind of immortality, so why not keep a blog open even if sadly you’re no longer here to read it yourself? This costs money no doubt, which shouldn’t come out of your family accounts, but I would donate towards the cause of keeping the archive online for an initial 10 years gladly as I imagine others would also. Too much thought has gone into these articles for them to be lost overnight. Naturally I hope you continue to recover and live a long long time yet. But whenever the time comes, your considered written thoughts deserve to be accessible online to current readers and new ones to come.
- Greg_L-W
January 18, 2014 at 2:54 am -
Hi,
I have only just (mea culpa) discovered your ill health.
I do wish you well and would remind you that you may well have cancer but that is no reason to believe cancer has you!
As no doubt you are aware I first presented with cancer in November 1998 and have had a wide variety of different cancers in the intervening 15 years – some requiring major surgery, others chemo and/or radio therapy, yet others have received procedures of various types – Please let my survival to date be an example to you as you are much needed and have brought truth and questioning to many of the issues of our time and your blog has not only brought information but also clarity and reading of quality.
My thoughts are with you in your battle but I have little doubt you have the mental fortitude to win and overcome those moments of anger, fear, pain, fatigue and bloody unfairness!
IF I can be of ANY assistance, having ‘been there’ do feel free to call for it. My phone number is readily available on the internet and you have my eMail.
Break a leg!
Regards,
Greg_L-W. - Robert the Biker
January 18, 2014 at 5:09 pm -
Glad to see you back, hope all goes well with the therapy.
- Ian Grey
January 18, 2014 at 6:16 pm -
Delight to see you appear in my rss feed again, I thought you had thrown in the towel or even pushed up the daisies.
Don’t be a stranger, I enjoy your musings no matter how infrequent.
Lots of us are wishing you well.
- Ian B
January 19, 2014 at 2:14 am -
This is my “me too” comment regarding the “glad to see you back” thing
- Sarah
January 19, 2014 at 9:30 pm -
I am very glad to hear you are feeling a tiny bit better. I have been thinking of you and wishing you well.
Take very good care of yourself – you are a lone voice of common sense in a world of hysterical nonsense. - marvo
January 19, 2014 at 11:12 pm -
Glad to see you back!
Hope the treatment is bearable. My great-aunt had a course of it in her early eighties, hated it but is happily still with us. - Fat Steve
January 20, 2014 at 8:53 am -
Hello Anna
What can one say its sooooo good to see you back ? Well quote Thomas Jefferson’s words is the best I can come up with
Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.
Now you have mastered the good conscience occupation and freedom bits long ago so spend as much energy on getting better eh? - Woman on a Raft
January 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm -
My world is a little brighter for your return.
- Hysteria
January 20, 2014 at 10:30 pm -
woo-hoo – she’s back !!!! So it wasn’t the dark forces of the state that took you down as John Ward suggested – but something equally bad – anyway – great to see you back!
- Old Holborn
January 21, 2014 at 1:25 pm -
Great to see you back. All the best
- R
January 21, 2014 at 8:00 pm -
I really couldn’t be happier that you are back in public circulation – and back on fine form; the very least your audience would expect, of course.
- Robert Edwards
January 21, 2014 at 8:01 pm -
Sorry – for some reason that post mis-named me.
- Dave
January 24, 2014 at 11:18 am -
Lovely to read your words and see your thoughts expressed so clearly. I missed you.
One side effect of my chemotherapy was that I changed from a lifelong coffee drinker to confirmed tea addict.
Don’t be surprised if you never eat another orange!Dave
- Joe Public
January 25, 2014 at 11:46 pm -
Thank God it’s not only JC who was resurrected.
- Frankie
January 27, 2014 at 9:39 pm -
Anna, I am DELIGHTED to be reading your blogs… Welcome back!! I have to say that the blogosphere was a dreary place without your contribution, too full of inwardly navel gazing types to appeal to me but… here you are. Thank goodness!!
When you vanished I did my best to dig into the frustratingly supine world of the blogosphere. Where was Anna, I asked, on several blogs, who reported your apparent demise. What was going on?? No one seemed to know, which made things even more frustrating as I have come to care very much about your welfare, viewed through the medium of the Internet.
I hadn’t given up hope mind, cos, Raccoons is tough buggers, Raccoons is. Your re-emergence, after I have logged on to the Internet once more, after a close family bereavement has cheered me up more than you may imagine.
So my year, which has started very badly in some respects has been brightened more than a little by the sighting of our little furry friend.
I am off to make a cup of tea in your honour!
- Daedalus X. Parrot
February 5, 2014 at 6:20 am -
Wot all they said.
Really glad to see you’re back.
- Ancient + Tattered Airman
February 19, 2014 at 10:33 pm -
My goodness, I have just rediscovered you online! Welcome back to my favourite blogger.
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