In his book, @james-macintyre.bsky.social highlights 2 speeches in particular made by Gordon Brown, one to Citizens UK and the other made on the eve of the Scottish Independence Referendum. To those I would add Robin Cook's resignation speech. All three can be found on YouTube.

Having read the excellent @james-macintyre.bsky.social biography of Gordon Brown, was inspired to read long overdue (20+years!) memoir by Robin Cook, whose observations echo through to this day.

You see the darnedest things on the tube.

Recommend trying the whole album listen.scot/aglathis

It’s not - or at least shouldn’t be when it comes to the Oscars - about screen time. JASON ROBARDS is on screen for less than 14 minutes in this movie, but his performance is so outstanding, impactful and brilliant - he won an Oscar for it. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976)

I look back at All the President’s Men, released on this day 50 years ago. During production, screenwriter William Goldman said, “Expectations are so high on this movie that if the film is only good, it won’t be good enough.” If only he was here to see how powerful it still is: More @ Esquire…

Bless! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Offensive as the post was, the thing is not to get distracted: the Conservative party in the UK had a spin doctor called Lynton Crosbie, who posited that if you slam a dead cat onto the table, the shock of such an action will distract from what they don't want you to be talking about. ICE? Epstein?

When I last had to register at a GP practice, 30 years ago, I had just to turn up and say hello. My daughter has had a slightly different experience. Her practice will only take a written application form which you have to get in person at 9am on a set day. 1/2

"I was only following orders" wasn't an acceptable excuse at the Nuremberg trials & won't work now. #AccountabilityIsComing

If you want to watch a proper documentary, on a proper First Lady, made by a proper documentary maker... youtu.be/_uEhFUgLfno?...

The Boss speaks, or rather, sings out youtu.be/wWKSoxG1K7w

This will only end when most of up stand up and say NO. Way to go MN.

Scary, because it's quite conceivable

I'd just like to thank Kemi and Robert for giving us some light relief amongst all the gloom and doom, and a shout out for the BBC resurrectionists in managing to exhume Nadine and Jacob for commentary #ferretsinasack #WATO

"Truckin', got my chips cashed in....lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip it's been." Farewell and thank you Bob Weir RIP

Went to a film at Screen 4 of @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social for the first time today - really nice little venue and will look forward to seeing movies there again. 🎥🎬

I will do the draw and announce winners tonight 😁

This could be the start of something big.

Ashamed to admit I was unaware before today of this podcast, and this is the very last episode! Essential listening, IMHO. At least you can still dip into the back catalogue! spotify.link/Gj7CisKJuXb

Pity about all the anti-social graffiti 😞

In my copy of the Blue Guide to Scotland, it records that the highest wind speed recorded in UK was 177 mph at RAF Saxa Vord in Unst in 1962 - at which point the anemometer blew away!

Morning.

And all that white space in the corner going begging 😉

It's a pity that, in the solution to her weekly puzzle for the Observer, @lauracummingart.bsky.social doesn't say whether the picture is exhibited - it might be nice to go and see it, if it is!

@filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social I do wish you would do something about your cluttered, confusing website. A simple, downloadable (PDF?) listing would be no end of help!

open.spotify.com/album/22dP0e... Released on Friday, a sound for a sunny(ish) Sunday

On the shortlist for my favourite film ever

Going to see the newly restored Pamela Brown and her hounds on the big screen tomorrow @filmhouseedinburgh.bsky.social ily.

First movie back at Film House - hello old friend!

@spokes.org.uk I miss this 😞 www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk/lepra-ride.htm

Imagine having a 150 seat majority in parliament and still having no power whatsoever because you’ve decided your priorities are playing the focus groups to try to keep the opposition’s voters happy and not upsetting a foreign tyrant who’s dismantling his own democracy and has his sights on yours

And a great gig it was, too 👏👏👏

If I was asked, in the style of the Guardian Questionnaire, who was the living person I most admired, I'm not sure whom I would nominate: but Anthony Fauci would be on the shortlist. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

April 12, 1945: death of FDR. Churchill: "His love of his own country, his respect for its constitution...were evident, added to these were the beatings of that generous heart which was always stirred to anger and to action by spectacles of aggression and oppression by the strong against the weak."

Huh, weird. Probably just a coincidence

In plain sight....

Insider trading much? Didn’t Martha Stewart go to prison for that? Just curious 🤔 Good morning all!

Whilst I'm glad that 6 Nations rugby will continue to be free to view for the next few years, I can't help but lament ITV's coverage, laden with very irritating adverts. Things have to move on, but can't help but miss the perfection that Messrs McLaren, Butler and Moore brought to commentary.

open.spotify.com/track/6KVD2D... A song for our times 😔

Vance comes to Munich and lectures Europe on free speech but fails to mention Russia, where free speech gets people murdered. What should have been an important address about conflict is used to push an agenda to Europe's far right. Nobody should trust a word said by his administration.

Amazed that the pebble beaches of Sidmouth have transformed to sand and maram grass #MissAusten

Oh Canada! Cartoon by Bruce MacKinnon

A reminder