Comments on: Normal service is resumed; the quest for accountability and justice continues http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2009/04/30/normal-service-is-resumed-the-quest-for-accountability-and-justice-continues/ Author & journalist Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:21:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andy Worthington http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2009/04/30/normal-service-is-resumed-the-quest-for-accountability-and-justice-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-37219 Andy Worthington Fri, 01 May 2009 13:22:26 +0000 http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/?p=2762#comment-37219 Thanks, Frances, although I must admit that last month I promised to do four articles in my series "Britain's Guantanamo," with the last of the four examining the most recent verdict by the UK's secret court, but instead found myself in a fish restaurant clinging to the side of a cliff in Mallorca before having the opportunity to write it. It doesn't keep me awake at night, but, in line with your appraisal, has made me aware of not trying to make promises that I can't keep! Thanks, Frances, although I must admit that last month I promised to do four articles in my series “Britain’s Guantanamo,” with the last of the four examining the most recent verdict by the UK’s secret court, but instead found myself in a fish restaurant clinging to the side of a cliff in Mallorca before having the opportunity to write it.

It doesn’t keep me awake at night, but, in line with your appraisal, has made me aware of not trying to make promises that I can’t keep!

]]> By: Frances Madeson http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2009/04/30/normal-service-is-resumed-the-quest-for-accountability-and-justice-continues/comment-page-1/#comment-37218 Frances Madeson Fri, 01 May 2009 12:54:28 +0000 http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/?p=2762#comment-37218 One of the many reasons I admire you, Andy, is that barring some extraordinary external technological interference, you always do what you say you're going to do. If you promise a post on a certain subject, you publish it. I can't tell you how rare a quality that is on the Internet. Other bloggers I follow, accomplished though they be, are wont to make elaborate promises--stories, critical essays by this or that date certain--and one is disappointed time and time again. It can be frustrating and demoralizing, especially for those of us with an emotional and intellectual investment in the democratic possibilities of the Internet. Try as we may to build up and reinforce the perception of Internet journalism as equally valid (and professional) as compared with print mechanisms, this kind of unexplained procrastination, or all out failure to stand and deliver, undermines the credibility of the media. Do the double-crossers hold themselves to an unrealistically perfectionistic standard and then fear they cannot achieve it? Probably. But far better not to make extravagant claims, commitments actually, in the first place. You, on the other hand, are impeccable in this regard, and as a result have a very high credit rating (with me anyway). Believe me, one notices--and appreciates!--the difference. One of the many reasons I admire you, Andy, is that barring some extraordinary external technological interference, you always do what you say you’re going to do. If you promise a post on a certain subject, you publish it. I can’t tell you how rare a quality that is on the Internet. Other bloggers I follow, accomplished though they be, are wont to make elaborate promises–stories, critical essays by this or that date certain–and one is disappointed time and time again. It can be frustrating and demoralizing, especially for those of us with an emotional and intellectual investment in the democratic possibilities of the Internet. Try as we may to build up and reinforce the perception of Internet journalism as equally valid (and professional) as compared with print mechanisms, this kind of unexplained procrastination, or all out failure to stand and deliver, undermines the credibility of the media.

Do the double-crossers hold themselves to an unrealistically perfectionistic standard and then fear they cannot achieve it? Probably. But far better not to make extravagant claims, commitments actually, in the first place. You, on the other hand, are impeccable in this regard, and as a result have a very high credit rating (with me anyway). Believe me, one notices–and appreciates!–the difference.

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