[garinda]

The last time I wrote to the Observer, in 1981, I received death threats, so I guess this is a somewhat better outcome.

I've just received a letter through the post from John Farrer.

In it he says 'whenever there is a serious thread started within ten to fifteen minutes post somebody (sic) starts taking the **** and trivialises it, and I have to say you are one of the main culprits.'

Would that be in threads were I've praised HBC for giving us the flower towers, or when I've said that I know Peter Britcliffe has helped people I know, or when Ken Hargreaves helped myself, or indeed when I've ctiticised the Labour government taking us into the war in Iraq?

I think someone has totally selective vision.

I shall carry on both praising and criticizing were I see fit, regardless of political affiliations.

He did say he can't post because there is a problem with his Jaysay account, and the tone of the letter was quite friendly, so if you are reading this, thank you.