The number of comments on the blog is very high right now. I read them all. Apart from a few batches of comments from regular trolls everything is getting on because the quality of comment is high. I appreciate test: it makes my time spent moderating worthwhile.
However, I also realise sentiment is high between those who may otherwise agree with each other. Can we keep things calm, please? This debate has a long way to go as yet and I would like to keep valuable opinion on the site if possible.
Thanks to all involved.
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Here here! As Obama says “we can disagree without being disagreeable”, not sure it is his originally. I’m not sure how Richard finds the time. I agree with him on Brexit, however there are good arguments to leave (though most certainly not those given by the “Red Tops”) and I value well argued rational debate
There is a book being written as well
And a job…
Very well Richard. A reasonable request.
Apologies if I have over stepped the mark at all.
You’re usually inside it!
And i am not alone in appreciating your contributions
I do hope you include me in your thanks, Richard,although I know I can be provocative. You need not respond; it would be unfair to others and perhaps I would not like the answer.
I have read some of your contributions David and to me they are useful as a barometer of certain sentiments that need to be acknowledged and dealt with by progressive thinkers. The challenge posed by them helps to refine ideas and maybe (just maybe) brings is all closer to a consensus of sorts?
I can’t remember whom I found you through, but I find your thoughts insightful, even if I don’t always wholeheartedly agree with them. It’s always good to get another point of view, especially when it is rationally and intelligently argued. It’s good to keep my brain engaged.
Thanks
As I read all the comments that appeared yesterday (and overnight) as a distraction from what I should be doing (writing, though not a book), I did conclude that the EU referendum is the most contentious topic you’ve covered in the 5+ years I’ve been a reader, or certainly amongst people who would normally be pretty united in their views of topics you blog on. Unsurprising given the fundamental nature of the issue at hand and also the multiple, and largely very hard to predict (and thus scary), potential outcomes. To be honest, I’ll be glad when next week is over.
I think next week is but the start
Indeed, Richard, but at least we’ll have a sense of where the starting point is: in or out.
Are you sure? I am not even confident of that any more
Shame you cannot admit that Jersey’s finance industry is absolutely booming and your predictions of bankruptcy 3 years back were foolish though.
http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/06/10/finance-business-surge/
So it has not got near to 2008 as yet
And Jersey has just recorded another stinking deficit
Get real
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you, Richard, for creating this space for all of us to engage and for managing to do this whilst being so busy yourself.
You have shown, yet again, that your blog is one of the liveliest and thought provoking ones around. It has helped me a lot in this dreadful referendum, to find my own position.
There is a lot of anger about ( not me of course!) which is understandable. The injustices within the EU/the appallingly dumbed-down non-debate/trashy politicians vying for power by means of emotional manipulation of a stressed and wealth syphoned public.
I’ve probably mentioned ‘arm-pit farting’ too many times, for which I apologise but it did seem to encapsulate what is going on out there!
And to echo the thoughts and thanks. In a wasteland of shouting, misinformation and not so hidden agendas, by far the worst political campaign I can remember in my lifetime on the most important issue, this is about the only place I can retreat to for some kind of sensible discussion.
Anyway, Ive sent off my postal vote and will be on a bike in the very far North of Scotland when it all happens – might find some sanity there!
Enjoy
Have not been for several years, but love it, midges and all if you go too far west
Back to commune with my Celtic ancestors…
It’s great to see such an increase in both the quality and quantity of posts. No danger of the ‘feel the width’ mentality on here. Keep it up TRUKers.
Can i suggest you give yourself a break and take your time on the book? Best to have time to re-read and , and maybe correct without being stressed by deadlines. It will be there long after we’ve forgotten what is on a particular day’s comments. Your regular readers can look after ourselves for a while.
Asking me not to blog is like asking me not to breathe!
You mean you never get sick of ‘us.’? be honest!
Telling the truth; yes, but very rarely. And only the trolls. Which I resolve by deletion.
Richard – a belated ‘thank you’ for what must be one of the most interactive and stimulating blogs on the Net. At times it must require a super-human effort to crank youself up to read, moderate and answer all the replies while at the same time having both family & professional responsibilities. Like others here, I read a lot of political / economic blogs and websites but none have the dynamism of yours. ‘Tax Research UK’ is a simple and effective vehicle for communicating new ideas and critical analyses of topical issues. We can only hope that some of the pearls of wisdom to be found here find their way into the wider community.
The years ahead are going to be very challenging. More so than usual I believe, if that’s possible to imagine. So I pray you will continue to find the energy to maintain the blog’s momentum. In the (alleged) words of Napoleon: “On s’engage et puis … on voit”!
Thanks for putting up with us all!
I can’t say I log you all because some of you won’t even say who you are
But I guess I enjoy this thing Bing with me just about every waking hour
It is sure as heck something I did not plan but I intend to continue it