It's recently been reported that the owners of a farm in The Midlands that breeds guinea pigs for medical research have been forced to stop this perfectly legal activity because of intimidation and attacks by animal rights terrorists.

Where are the organs of state when it comes to protecting the farm and its employees or prosecuting the guilty?

Terrorism is still terrorism, wherever we find it, and whatever the politics or religion of its perpetrators and supporters.

TO AND FRO

Smothered; strong
Fingers pull apart the night,
Thighs align with the lay,
Chocolate drips from lips
I tongue the foraging day.

Behind closed doors:
Cloud draped sisters
Call across the moor,
Contours howl and
All the wild's a watercolour.

Today's a Bank Holiday, never an easy time when you're unemployed - I just feel more lonely and isolated than usual.

Why can't the government operate a scheme to encourage (or even coerce) people in my circumstances to be able to work today whilst everyone else is off enjoying themselves? Of course, with the benefits system as it is, nothing will ever happen.

Personally I'm in favour of a 'social wage' system whereby just by being an adult citizen you are entitled to a set basic weekly subsistence allowance irrespective of your employment status...naturally, payment of all current benefits would be scrapped.

Then it's up to you as an individual; you'd be taxed on whatever you earn at a flat rate. Hopefully this system would personally take myself out of the benefits trap whereby I've got to secure pretty much a full-time job or remain stuck on benefits...not that I've had any offers of part-time or temporary work though.

THE THINKER

He would only eat
Grapes at a minute
To midnight,
Spitting out the pips
As the time signal
Heralded the hour.

RECCE

If it rhmes,
Shoot it!

Better safe
Than Ralph.