Over the last few days I’ve read some articles which you’ve written. I agreed with most of your views, and some of your comments had me laughing out loud. At least there’s the option for debate in your, in my opinion, excellent writing.

And I’ve read articles about you – such as how people tried to burn you, your family, and your home. No chance of debate there, then? One can disagree, by all means, but to attempt murder rather than debate an issue? That’s barbaric.

I hope you can continue to find the courage to keep saying what you think. You’re very brave. Good luck!

Kind regards

Kay McMahon

(Daphne – Thank you for reminding some of the people who read this blog that they live in a society where it is considered quite normal to try to get rid of the people one doesn’t agree with by setting fire to their homes while they are asleep. We have rather more in common with Sicily than we think, and not in a good way.)

(Daphne – All blogs are modern by definition. The system you mention is used only where it is thought unnecessary for anybody to moderate – for which read control – the comments. Neither Allied Newspapers, which operates The Times news site, nor I, who operate this one, can afford to have something that goes out under our name turned into a babel of libel, slander, foul language and intrusive gossip about the private lives of others who may not even be public persons. There is no way on earth that I am going to allow a system which permits people to reply directly to others, and I am quite sure that the people over at The Times feel exactly the same way, even though they let through rather more than they should (and The Times site is NOT a blog but the on-line version of a newspaper). There is a world of difference between something on the internet for which a named individual or company, with a reputation to protect, takes responsibility and the internet forums you mention, with threads replete with slander, for which no discernible individuals, group of individuals or company is responsible.)