Really good piece that covered both sides. Instinctively I am against whales and large animals in captivity but it’s clear that animals already in captivity don’t do well when released. For me it’s logical why, if humans went back to living in small groups hunting and gathering we would suffer too.

Had a really good time at the Opera last night. Went to see Tristan und Isolde at the Theatre Royal. Only my second ever Opera and didn’t realise it was 5 hours long until I went in! I have tickets to see the Marriage of Figaro next, really looking forward to it.

Lots of people love to predict the downfall of the monarchy without any plan for what would replace it, nor to explain how this would be better. The reason the current system has survived for so long is probably because it’s the most suited to our culture and national ‘personality’.

Big day today, gold medal game in Mens Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics! On paper you'd say Canada were the clear favourites but i think it could go either way USA are a good team, they just don't have the pedigree of the Canadians.

Really good episode of The News Agents today covering the student loans racket/system. Story perfectly encapsulates the damage done by Tory austerity and the disappointment of a labour government which pledged to change this system then found themselves defending it.

Men’s Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics starts soon and it always one of the best Olympic events. This time last year I thought the USA was nailed on to win and wanted to see a changing of the guard. Now I hope the Canadians absolutely batter them.

From PC gaming to live music to sporting events, unrestrained greed is ruining everything.

Watched Malice over the last couple of nights and I really enjoyed it. Jack Whitehall is not someone I find funny but definitely has a menacing presence.

This has been trailed as a very important, make or break budget for the government and it looks like it’s fallen apart before a word has even been uttered at the dispatch box. Starmer and Reeves positions now look untenable.

Part of the problem I have with these two is they are gutless, spineless cowards. Any time they float an idea and receive pushback they fold. Re-writing the budget with less than 2 weeks to go, doesn’t seem like the best way to do these things. Is it too much to ask that some thought goes into it?

When Russia first started violating their neighbours airspace I thought the countries should be taking action but now I’m not so sure. The war in Ukraine isn’t going very well for them it’s possible this is just Russia trying to revitalise its flagging support by opening up another front.

I find this new trend of people 'interviewing' politicians on the street. I know politicians should be accessible to the public but i can't help but think how i would feel if some people ambushed me with a microphone and a camera when i was trying to catch the train.

When did it become acceptable to take your dogs into cafes? What if I’m allergic to dogs? What if I’d like to take my kids who are scared of dogs? What if I don’t want food covered in dog hair?

The hysterical overreaction to ID cards is making me laugh. Do the people having a meltdown not have a drivers license, passport or national insurance number?

Its budget season and the nations top business leaders are coming together to say workers already get paid enough and please don’t tax us. Won’t somebody please think of the poor billionaires at this difficult time?

I understand the right wing outrage industrial complex shifting into action but should the BBC really be part of this!?

Does Reform still have the same appeal as a disruptor if it is full of failed Tory MP's? Also it is amazing to me that people like Nadine Doris don't realise the public got wise to them a while a go.They are the reason the conservatives are so unpopular right now.

Not saying this is the start of a coup but if it was the important first step would be getting the police and whoever out of the way and putting your loyalists in control of security in the capital.

Found the first part of the Economist podcast series on the hunt for Austin Tice really interesting. Now, i need to find out how i can listen to the next two parts...

Quick trip to Facebook reminded me just how insane the 'cash is king' never use card people are. Do they even know what coins & banknotes are?

Like British Conservatives and the EU, the Republican party mainstream now no longer believes in democracy.

So Trump can issue EO's that directly contradict the constitution, a foundational document that these judges practically worship, and presumably only Congress and the Supreme Court can stop him?

The Supreme Court aspect of the American democratic set up has not only been a been a unique failure and really holds the nation back.

There’s a spectrum of ways to report what has happened to the Gaza aid ship from Isreal heroically saving the misguided from becoming Hamas’ latest kidnap victims to the IDF kidnapping heroic good samaritans. Where the report falls on this spectrum gives a good idea where the author is coming from.

When you realise your new boyfriend was only using you for your money.

It’s funny that Nigel Farage is Mr Brexit, nobody did more to ‘achieve’ it than him, but The Conservatives have become the Brexit cultist party.

President Bidens cognitive decline and the cover up is one of the greatest scandals of our age, if he had been moved on when he needed to be Trump might never have been elected. But sure, get mad at journalists for trying to piece together what happened!

The rise of YouTube has been a godsend for people like me, desperately looking up ‘how to eat spaghetti with a spoon’ in an Italian restaurant

Every night I fill this feed tray up and every morning this group of hooligans comes along and completely empties it!

During a short stopover at RSPB lochwinnoch I spotted a few interesting birds but was only able to get a shot of this Blackbird who was kind enough to pose for a few minutes.

I’m not a catholic but now I’m older I understand the value of having a strong moral leader in public life. I still have problems with the Catholic Church and their orthodoxies but I think Francis was relatively progressive as a pope and he will be missed.

Roasting a chicken tonight. Anyone know any good jokes? Once I’ve said it’s feathers are too thin and it’s legs are skinny I don’t know what else to say about it.

Trump has believed in Tariffs as the solution to americas problems for a long time. If it looks like it’s not working, nothing suggests he will back down. He’s clearly going to double down and tariff harder.

So @wildjustice.bsky.social is too edgy for @privateeyenews.bsky.social ! We're fans because the magazine speaks truth to power . That's what WJ tries to do too . We were surprised when PE said that it wouldn't run our second and third adverts , especially as they gave no reason for this .

Every time Trump does something stupid I keep hoping his devotees will realise he's actually an idiot. I long ago gave up any real hope that would happen but still that little voice in the back of my head remains.

17 years ago, the financial crash crippled the UK economy and it has never really recovered. The disabled, the poor and the nations children have been paying the price ever since.

It's been 3 days since the announcement about cuts in welfare and I'm still mad about it. It's the latest in a series of disappointing moves by this government. I've never believed in the red Tory nonsense but that argument is getting harder and harder to counter

Losing weight is hard. I'm very tired and it would be so easy just to arrange a delivery but I am determined I'm going to get off my lazy ass and cook. The struggle is real!

Whats frightening about this is that there has to be people to whom this is their main source of news.

The Brexit 'heavyweights' are starting to leave the conservatives for Reform. This is a tremendous opportunity for the conservatives to get rid of them for good and rebuild the party but they're too short sighted to take advantage of it. Doesn't really give one much hope for the future.

Tis the season, so I have a confession. I love Fallout 4 and I'm tired of pretending I think New Vegas is better for internet cool points.

As usual, today's GDP figures are proof everything I believe is true and everyone else is wrong.

Actual journalists still talking about gamers like Christian missionaries talking about Africa.

There is a lot of fuss on my local Facebook group about a new additive to cow feed to help reduce their flatulence. It really highlights just how willing people are to buy into a mad conspiratorial fantasy than believe the mundane truth.

We laud people like, say, Martin Lewis for helping us get what we are entitled to, but scorn the disabled and unwell for doing the same.

A List of Things People Blamed on Short Skirts 🧵

Well that explains what happened to me!

I understand the idea that Band aid promotes a negative view of Africa that's not really true but its hard to get mad at people who are just trying to do the right thing.

My FF XIV subscription is up next week and I've decided to cancel. The game is so much less interesting since Endwalker. I guess that was always going to be the case with Endwalker being the end of a long running story arc but I'm surprised how little whats come after has grabbed me.

My FF XIV subscription is up next week and I've decided to cancel. The game is so much less interesting since Endwalker. I guess that was always going to be the case with Endwalker being the end of a long running story arc but I'm surprised how little whats come after has grabbed me.