Trials and Tribunals

Appeared before the immigration tribunal yesterday as witness for yet another genuine refugee denied permanent residency. Beats me how one can be given temporary protection and then be in danger of being sent back to a place that is now more dangerous than when he left it. Such is the world today, driven by fear and bloody-mindedness rather than fairplay and compassion. These last two terms are almost subversive in the current climate – like the word “do-gooder” hurled as invective at those who don’t buy the “alert but not alarmed” sound-bites of the politicians. What is the alternative? Do-badders? Do nothingers? I know which I’d rather be.