And So it Rumbles On…
It seems like all I do these days is moan. Which I don’t like because normally I’m a happy-go-lucky person (occasionally to my detriment), but lately I’ve been sensing a change within me. Of course we all know what the cause of this is. I’ve not mentioned anything about the case on this blog so far, partly because it’s well-covered elsewhere, and partly because I’d rather let this blog stand or fall on it’s own merits.
I’m varying from that this time because I thought the end, or AN end of sorts, would occur last Friday, meaning I could dust myself off and get on with things. Now that it’s adjourned, the hell continues and my sanity plummets ever lower. I’m sure in some quarters, people are thinking “Well it was just a fine you received, it’s not like you face a murder charge” and while that’s true, and I’m trying not to lose my perspective here, that does not mean that the effect on my life has not been catastrophic. At this point, the case (and whatever verdict) are secondary. It’s how I go about picking up the pieces after that. A lot of people say to me that it’ll all be over soon, but it won’t. The case may be, but that’s only one less thing to worry about. By the time that comes around, I’ll likely be bankrupt (ironically, that isn’t hyperbole) and vacantly staring into space while I dribble profusely. This is, without doubt, the hardest period of the whole thing so far, so please bear with me if I become a miserable sod.
I honestly don’t have a plan or a clue. This is new to me. I don’t know which way the verdict will go. I don’t know how easy it’ll be to get a job either in the interim or the long term. I just feel like I don’t know anything, and it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever had to face, that includes standing in the witness box in front of a raft of sour-faced legal people.
So there you go, another self-indulgent moan! Hopefully this time next year I’ll be looking back and lambasting myself for posting it!
Something Witty 
i don’t think it’s that self-indulgent, you’ve had a rough time of it. things always look their worst when you’re waiting – you have the support of pretty much everyone on the internet, so i’m sure we can help keep you entertained until you figure out what comes next. hey – if all else fails you could write a book about the effects of modern forms of communication on society and interaction… or about the foolishness of the current legal system. it might take a few weeks, or even a few months, but you’ll be back on top of it all eventually.
I truly hope things get better for you. 🙂
I was arrested after posting a screen-shot on Twitter in April 2009. Although it didn’t go to court, it threw me so I can understand what you’re feeling and the position you’re in.
Hang in there, and just saviour the moment when it is over.
Hi, I’m a correspondent for the New York Times in London, and would love to talk to you about your case. Is there a number I might reach you on (or an email address I could use to send you a note?)
Many thanks and hope very much to hear from you.
Sarah Lyall
lyall@nytimes.com
I am sorry it was adjourned. We are trying to get the case closed down as soon as possible. Hang on there, mate.
And I am not that sour-faced…
What happened to you could have happeend to anyone. Well, it didn’t happen to anyone, it happened to you Paul.
You’re not being self indulgent. I cannot fathom how hard it must be to have your life dashed on the rocks due to a tweet. That’s a scary thought and a sobering one.
It is your life and you are entitled to talk about how ever you want. Few would blame you.
You don’t know me from Adam. But I genuinely wish you the very best that can come of this time for you. Keep your chin up. Don’t worry about what you can’t change, just keep on going. One step at a time.
All things will pass.
I echo all the above, really hope things get better soon.
Please, hang in there!! I am way over here in Los Angeles just freaking about about what has happened to you, and so are thousands and thousands of people all over the world. People know what a travesty this thing is and we want to help.
echo all of the sentiments above. there seems to be one law for the rest of us and a totally different law for “others”. disgraceful
something makes me believe everything is going to work out just fine. I believe you’ll get your qualification and go on to get the job you’ve dreamed of. Good luck my friend.
Well we have all done stupid things in our lifes and this was nothing more than that! This is just a hurdle on your life and it’s a hurdle you will get over! Remember what doesn’t kill only makes you stronger! Wether you are religious or not my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at the time!
Keep the chin up!
Bigjohn x
Hi Paul,
Some of my fellow IT journalists follow you – so I wanted to connect as well.
Adrian
—
Adrian Bridgwater
Technology Journalist
View my Computer Weekly Open Source Insider blog at : http://tiny.cc/dxxos
Hey man, keep fighting. We all love you xx
Paul, I am glad Stephen Fry has offered, because he has much more dosh than I do, but this is an important battle you’re fighting for us. Whatever the cost, I will happily pay my share to keep you fighting.
Pardon me if I missed what happened as I just linked here from an article which said you sent a threat out against an airport. I’m wondering if somehow everyone expects that jokes sent by twitter are somehow immune from being taken seriously and are therefore exempt from followup? Would you have hesitated to pick up the phone and do the same thing? Or send an email or a letter? Post a threat on Facebook? It’s a hard lesson to learn, but honestly it seems like common sense to me would easily have enabled avoidance of this particular painful, frightening episode.
Hi Paul!
So are you taking Stephen Fry’s offer to pay your fine? I guess this would mean you won’t be bankrupt! :o)
Wishing you all the best and sending some good vibes your way. “Life’s a piece of shit, when you look at it, life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true …” and all that! ;o)
twitter.com/am_klaafe
I wish you all the best in this and hope that sense will come to the fore in this…….
Today, Friday 12 Nov 2010, your obvious joke has been repeated something like 15000 times on Twitter. There is a huge number of people supporting you. I can’t imagine the horror of being arrested and thrown into a cell for making what any idiot (apart from the judge) could see was a joke. I know it’s easy for me to say, but thsousands of people are behind you if can summon up the courage to keep fighting for justice,
Some great supportive comments…awesome 🙂
Bobcov…seriously, learn to read up on something before posting an opinion otherwise you seem like an uninformed buffoon. Paul posted a tweet directly to another user commenting in jest about an airport being closed, SO many news sources and random people have got that wrong today it is insane. Do you honestly think if he had tweeted directly to the airport something like ‘OMG BOMB ON PLAIN (sic)’ the WHOLE sane internet community + a host of top celebs would be standing behind him?
The case is a joke, the law is an ass and it WILL be thrown out on further appeals. The damage to Paul’s life has already been done, these are things a not guilty verdict can’t fix. I would ask anyone who is behind him who has the power to give the guy a break and employ him, at the very least recommend him to a friend.
The reaction this has got is for a very good reason, it could of been any one of us that got unlucky with a pathetic legal case against a flippant remark. The law needs to change to protect the technological interactions of the future in this country and indeed the world.
If he tweeted only to a friend and no one else, I would not consider that a published threat. However, that was not the case:: “In a profane message posted to dozens of followers on Jan. 6, he stated: ‘Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get (it) together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!!'” That’s a threat. The problem created by these jokes comes when you try to find the fine line between what is a joke and what is not as they become less and less obvious. There’s no way to write a law like that, so most people, in posession of common sense, do not make threats in public.
You might want to listen to this story from This American Life about a guy who quoted a line from a movie on his Facebook page in making a joking threat against the local Apple store. A few hours later, heavily armed police showed up at his door. Listen to what happened next at http://www.thisamericanlife.org/sites/all/play_music/play_full.php?play=414
Yeah, it was a joke, but if I happen to think it’s funny to yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater and you don’t laugh, should I get arrested? If I start telling bomb jokes as you’re about to board an airplane, should anybody take me seriously? Where do you draw the line such that everybody else sees exactly where you’ve drawn it?
This is better than Spooks , or have they already done it ?
Hey mate, just a message of support. This country is a
feckin nazi state these days with bullshit like this going on. All
the very best to you and yours.