So I just want to show a little sympathy here for those who are trying to enforce the law -- they're not mean-spirited, they're just trying to -- they're working with the system that was set up.
Birtwistle himself has no recollection of such an exit and, while he may have disliked the opera, Britten's letters show both sympathy and support for the difficult young composer, and he helps him obtain a study fellowship in America.
Those of us outside the reach of the storm can feel sympathyfor those hurt by the maelstrom, but we can best show our support by planning now for what may befall us in the future.