What is the Crucible? The play doesn't last a fortnight!

Mandelson’s links with US tech firm Palantir must be fully exposed, campaigners warn Government faces call for transparency on former peer’s involvement amid fears he may have leaked more sensitive information

@mrjamesob.bsky.social — wonder if 'get it ^&*£ing approved' has any connection to this story. Given Palantir is also in the news (and will be more soon). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Characterizing something as “fascism” is now grounds for suspension on X??? So much for their supposed love of “free speech”.

Thus far Iran is the only nation Trump has absolutely no power with. Even Putin and Xi went for the photo ops to stroke Trump's ego. Iran stands firm.

Hell, I will.

This is incredible! Don't give us too much hope in such dark times...

I've been trying to warn so many (international realms) that authoritarians do not leave office voluntarily. They leave one of either two ways: overthrow, or death in office.

And forget laws against Trump imposing martial law or similar: laws don't apply to him. Tested many times; no punishment.

You'd be surprised at how many free full length films are available on YouTube (copyrights over). I use an adblocker so don't even need to worry about those.

I live 3,500 miles away from my mother, who is over 80 also. She calls me in tears at least weekly, thinking that spam emails have stolen her money. And she can't work out how to use Prime either: typing on their TV system up-down-back slowly slowly slowly is unbearable for me let alone her.

Maybe we should all claim to be Catholic for a day, in a show of support for Pope Leo.

You'd think if JD Vance was going to condemn the Pope and insult the Pope's theological expositions, he'd know the difference between non-sectarian, Dominican, and Augustinian.

King Henry VIII tried challenging the Pope, claiming only he as king decided what was truth.

Didn't turn out well here in England. A very bloody time.

You're in Egypt? In Saudi, well, you can imagine how many I worked with carrying the surname.

If anyone in Israel actually believes this, they are as cuckoo as Trump-as-Jesus is.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I *know* you were joking. I did, however, look at replies. And see that others don't.

This is the etymology of a huge swathe of surnames worldwide though. Either place names, trades, or other markers, they just replaced a near-global 'son of Peter' (Peterson) or 'daughter of Alexander (Alexandra).

No worry: peel and stick plastic pops right off after 2028.

It really is! It is really real!

A reminder that the last time the US Navy tried to take control over Iran's Strait of Hormuz, it really did not go well.

See below 🧵 for a primer on Iran 101.

😡😡

Nuclear state meets in a 2nd nuclear state to discuss a ceasefire from bombs dropped with a 3rd nuclear state on a non-nuclear state.

Because it wouldn't agree to terms in place in 2015 but shredded by the 1st nuclear state to never seek nuclear materials.

Incorrect.

Iran chose 'not to accept our terms', Vance says after peace talks The US vice-president made the announcement after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ceasefire talks failed. US heads home after 21 hours.

"Iran chose 'not to accept our terms', Vance says after negotiations"

www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

Good lord; that's mad. Sorry to say, it's one reason I avoid the US now: here, regular food is basically domestically farmed — but there, it's so steroid-ed up, waxed, and chlorinated (your chicken), it's inedible. There's no taste but it costs 4x as much anyway.

Unsustainable.

Mencken joins the chat ...

“On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." — H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

bsky.app/profile/alia...

Here in the UK vegetables are cheap. Giant broccoli heads — bigger than your Costco modified — are 15p each (19c). Big hearty carrots are 15p per kilo (19c per 2.2lbs). A leg of lamb = £6.50 per kilo ($8.70 per 2.2lbs).

But thanks to Trump, we do have the equivalent of $11 per gall of petrol.

Zionists have been using that line for decades. Ilan Pappé's lesser-known book 'The Rise and Fall of a Palestinian Dynasty: The Husaynis, 1700–1948' (2010) covers this well.

1. It's the NYT.

2. WH needing more time for a story.

3. Five minutes ago the world's ships were sailing through without issue.

Close the pod bay doors Nick.