US National Security Statement apparently has a part 2. The administration has a stated aim of "supporting" 4 countries to leave the EU. (Translation: interfering in other countries' domestic politics). Austria, Poland, Hungary, Italy. US agents wil be active in your countries. Source in comments.

At least Denmark is waking up. The Danish equivalent(ish) of a National Security Statement includes a short statement suggesting that the US is now a "potential security concern." Well done, Denmark. Not before time.

By adding piracy to the long list of crimes, after openly declaring political war on Europe, the USA must now be regarded by our supine leaders as a hostile rogue state. Won't be, of course, they're cowardly idiots. Get US troops out of Europe. Close embassies. No travel. Seriously, USA - fuck off.

If your advent calendar is one of those with a shot of alcohol behind each door, you need to be asking yourself a few questions. Perhaps someone bought it for you. They know you have a drink problem but think it's funny. Ask yourself some questions. You bought it for yourself? Still question time.

"US government believes that its national security is best served by the destruction of liberal democracy in Europe. In other words, the US is not just an unwilling ally, it is a willing adversary." (Cas Mudder) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Every time a politician from any party says something is being "over diagnosed" - what they mean is, "I prefer an unequal society in which the weakest suffer and, ideally, just die." "Over diagnosed" just means "we don't want to pay for it, even if we caused it." #UKPolitics

Ben Stokes. 2nd Ashes test, 2nd innings. Wears one straight in the box. Again. The bat, Ben. You use the bat. Not your bollocks. Hurts much less.

As the press put it at the time (1981) we appeared on national TV "at the speed of a scalded cat" and were never heard of again outside of our own little region. We had a good time, mind. This photo just emerged from nowhere of that appearance. My band at the Ritz Ballroom, Manchester.

"Good King Wenceslas glorifies a patriarchal definition of charitable giving that belittles the value of a properly funded welfare state." (Katy Guest)

Sorry, banjo players. 🙂🙂

As a guide dog user I already have enough difficulty with wankers on electric scooters and thoughtless c*nts parking on the pavement (AKA my safe space). I'm not going to be getting off it for one of these, so what happens if/when I meet one?

Photographer is unknown to me. Vicious and Rotten/Lydon on the ill-fated (and deliberately fucked up by McClaren) tour of the US in 1978. A rare shot of Sid smiling, seeming to enjoy himself. I think this is from the legendary 48 minute Randy's Rodeo gig 8th Jan. #SexPistols #Punk

The Annalong River at Dunnywater with Slieve Lamagan and Cove Mountain, Mountains of Mourne. 16th Nov 2025. #NorthernIreland #CountyDown

Lewis Goodall makes a very cogent and occasionally quite punchy argument across this 30 minute interview (unusually he's the subject rather than the interviewer) about the BBC's supposed partiality "problem." youtu.be/PPZG7Q02yLU?...

The Irish Sea and Wreck Harbour (to give it its old name) from Wreck Road, Annalong, County Down, on a grey but calm day. About 2 hours from high tide. #NorthernIreland #CountyDown

Annalong Harbour, County Down, Ireland (Northern Ireland) today. Slieve Binnian in the background with cloud inversion behind the village, Spence's Mountain off to the north. #NorthernIreland #CountyDown

Word count far too high for Bsky. My thoughts on the shitbag in the Whitehouse and his current gangsterism against the far-from-perfect BBC.

Most people call it Wreck Road Beach now. Not long back it was "Wreck Harbour." Smuggled goods were brought ashore here away from prying eyes and quickly taken inland. Perhaps to Hilltown where there were 21 houses, 10 of which were pubs. Perfect for selling on contraband. #NorthernIreland

A work in progress by an artist friend of mine, Tim Currant. He draws these marvellous images, full of movement. Here I saw Eosphoros after her work is done, dancing until she is needed to yoke the horses once again to Helios' chariot the next morning. And on into eternity. (Not what he intended).

I'm liking the sound of a 10 to 1 max wage ratio as is being touted by the Greens. Goes even further than I've been droning on about for æons. Ignore arguments about needing to pay millions for the best talent. CEO of NHS England = £260k. They should be "best" for the job - I would hope.

Spotted frequently in Annalong. Black Guillemots. The population is stable along the County Down coast. This one seen a few days ago in winter plumage, alongside several others. Photo by Annalong Harbour Watch. #Birds #NorthernIreland

I find the sea beautifully relaxing, even when she's a bit frisky and at a high spring tide like this morning. The Irish Sea from Wreck Road, Annalong, County Down.

I go to group violin lessons. I used to have 1-1 lessons, but I moved to N Ireland & there's a place local to us doing group lessons. It's a way to meet people. Experienced teacher left. No notice. New teacher tonight. She's 17 & did well teaching 2 middle aged blokes. Takes courage & conviction ✊🎻.

We've recently moved to N Ireland from Cornwall and started going to a local regular trad & folk session - very welcoming and inclusive. I don't know their tunes and songs, yet. They're happy to hear some of mine. Hoping that, maybe, we've found our tribe. Details of illustration in alt text.

It's probably been asked before, but I was thinking *if* Fartrage does get into No10 but doesn't change how his "party" is constituted - how can he be ejected as PM except by a general election? Ref0rm is a limited company. He's the majority shareholder. He can't be got rid of by anyone. Democracy?

Another legend. And again, nearly fifty years ago, this man was a threat to the very fabric of society. If he and his colleagues were allowed to appear, nothing but ill would befall us all. One of the greats. Glen Matlock.

I found this. Someone had used it to respond to an arsehole on a comment thread. A nasty little racist gammon, obviously. So I nicked it and have been similarly using it whenever I find nasty little racist gammons (who might like Queen and this will ruin it for them). You might want to do the same.

Legends. These men frightened my mum. One of them caused questions to be raised in the House of Commons. It was a different world, I suppose.

Saying quiet bit out loud. Lords debate Assisted Dying Bill. "Kenneth Baker ... spoke in support, saying it would be “wonderful” if dying people could rely on a choice of palliative care, as many of those opposed suggested, “but it’s totally unrealistic. It’ll cost billions." (Guardian) #UKPolitics

"If you want to understand what England will look like with a Reform government, just come to our town. Racists and thugs are acting with impunity, intimidating local residents and people of colour, who are living in fear." #UKPolitics www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I don't yet know whether Sultana & Corbyn's new venture will remain of interest to me. But my interest is certainly peaked. I don't know if I'm a supporter yet but I'm going along for the ride at the moment. By registering my interest I've received this email in response. #UKPolitics

"It is this context that made Keir Starmer’s “island of strangers” speech so offensive. That language isn’t benign; it helps set the stage for another inevitable spate of attacks. Less than a month after the speech, Ballymena exploded." #UKPolitics www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Squeezed under our slightly open sash window this morning. We opened the windows fully, and it found its way back out again a couple of minutes later. I think it's a common reed warbler - more expert opinions than mine will be welcomed. #birds

Oh, ffs! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

And neither do I. How it should work is 1st set up systems to assist those who can, and for whom circumstances allow, into work and ensure work is non-exploitative. Secondly, ensure benefits for those with disabilities are as generous as a (wealthy) society can afford.

As a more or less permanent pedestrian (not allowed to drive or ride coz I'm severely visually impaired), I couldn't agree more with this article ... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Another news sources shows its colours. Email them at [email protected] - I did. Feel free to use mine as a template if you want (full text in alt text). The editorial framing in LBC's tweet " ... Thunberg's selfie yacht" is so biased that their entire news output is now suspect.

Sound advice. One day the US will have it's Nuremberg; evidence will be needed. Yours might be vital.

Hey comic book folks? I'm going to say this as nicely as I can. Please stop coming to the US until this regime is gone. If that means it takes years for you to come back to a convention here, then so be it. You want to help us so badly stop dunking online and then showing up here in person.

She is a tourist from Chile, and these cops left her teenage daughter on the streets of New York City alone. Why anybody would come to this country right now blows my mind.

Posting again! Go Greta!!

Text of these repeated in alt text. A take on the current situation in LA. An accurate one, in my 'umble.

"She was the funny one, the party starter, the friend who never said no to another round of drinks." This article resonates with me. I've not had therapy as described in the piece, but I am a recovering alcoholic (7 yrs sober, thanks for asking). www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Of all the self help instructionals that I've seen, this is the only one that is guaranteed to work as stated.

For the unbelievers. 🏳️‍⚧️ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Yep. Powerful stuff from Femi. No point debating with Reform voters; done with them. They've made their choice and they've chosen to be racists - there is no other logical explanation for their voting option. youtu.be/mxYtnMVZ3ck?...

It's been a while since I posted about learning to play violin. I've kept going. It's been nearly 5 months now since 1st lesson. Of course, I'm still not good, thanks for asking. It's a hard instrument. But I can play Star of the County Down pretty well now. More tunes on the way too.

Yep, heard this with my own ears broadcast loud and clear on the evening news. Trump commiserating with a German chancellor over D-Day. Merz, of course, refused to be so commiserated with.