It's been just over a year ago since this photo of me possibly looking the happiest I've ever been. Star Wars Celebration in Japan was a ton of fun.

As @spyhistorian.bsky.social notes - the spread of the 'Spanish' Influenza Pandemic can absolutely be attributed to the movement of soldiers during the First World War.

It's also worth remembering that one of the first forms of mandatory innoculation was within George Washington's army for smallpox

Very much reminds me of certain people at the start of covid loudly complaining that 'we didn't even close the pubs during the blitz' when we didn't close them during the Influenza Pandemic either and that went swimmingly...

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948) - Swansea University We offer a wide range of funded and fully funded research scholarships in all subject areas. Explore your options and apply now.

Fully funded four year AHRC PhD project @swanseahistory.bsky.social on 'Rethinking Reparations: A Cultural and Social History of Post-First World War Compensation to Civilians in Britain and its Empire, 1918-25.' Closing date 22 May. Get in touch if you are interested!

I think that there is a significant section of the Labour leadership who for some reason just believe Mandelson is a political genius. They just forget or ignore all the scandals. They’re insane obviously.

I fundamentally do not understand how supposedly sensible people have looked at a serious of problems over the past 30 years and thought ‘the solution to this is Peter Mandelson’. As if they collectively forget everything about him.

Did Starmer consider googling “Peter Mandelson”? Feels like that would have turned up some relevant stuff of concern.

Open fascism and corruption by the most inept and incapable people in government history.

I don't know - it's a pretty busy week already.

Also I’d watch a separate series of world weary cops investigating crimes whilst under Imperial rule, right now.

I’m watching the latest episodes of ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ and, I don’t know folks, I’m starting to get the vibe that the Empire might not be the good guys.

Important to note: He is once again threatening to knock out power plants & bridges. Those threats alone are war crimes.

Anyone working in history of comedy/satire, television, modern British politics - there's a fully funded PhD to research the Spitting Image archive @theul.bsky.social, with supervision at Exeter Uni. All disciplines considered, pls do share widely.
www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...

Welcome to my uncertain internal monologue for the last year…

Two hooded figures with lamps approach a moonlit, isolated cottage. A woman answers the door. We have come for the child, says the hooded figure So soon? she asks It is time, says the hooded figure. The woman is distraught. We should never have got him a library card! What is done cannot be undone, says the hooded figure We couldn’t see the harm! We just wanted him to enjoy reading! For most, it ends there, says the hooded figure, turning away and walking into the wilderness Oh lord, What have I done! says the woman, the child walks past her and out into the darkness with them. Do not cry mother. I am a writer now.

my latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Thanks!

Oh that's wonderful to hear! I'm really pleased he enjoyed it so much!

That's the only reasonable explanation I can think of why I haven't seen 'Rise and Fall' in a shop recently. It's clearly sold out.

I’m surprised that, given he’s wearing a cap, that it’s not one of *those* caps

New euphemism for "pure, unadulterated horseshit" just dropped

Add universities to this list

It’s very unfair to expect someone who is appointing Peter Mandelson to have heard literally anything about Peter Mandelson. Apparently.

Starting to get the feeling that employing and trusting Peter Mandelson may not have been the genius masterstroke Starmer had hoped it would be.

Compelled to point out that this is what the earliest air combat looked like around the start of the First World War; pilots shooting from their aircraft with shotguns, rifles, or pistols.

Me: [idly looking up info on popes]

Wikipedia: This list is incomplete; you can help expand it.

Me: wut?

Wikipedia: [lifts eyebrows suggestively]

I imagine - understandably - that every woman who has ever had to meet Sebastian Payne has been livid about it.

oh wow you’re telling me that jd vance follows yet another nazi on twitter

Correct!

“leopards ate my face” was a documentary