Bob Medley
@bobmedley.bsky.social
Ret'd Civil Servant, serial Boxer dog rescuer, old enough to remember when reality mattered.
Pinned
Bob Medley
@bobmedley.bsky.social
· Oct 6
A chicken is a noble beast,
The cow is much forlorner;
Standing in the pouring rain,
With a leg at every corner.
William McGonagall (1830–1902)
The cow is much forlorner;
Standing in the pouring rain,
With a leg at every corner.
William McGonagall (1830–1902)
Reposted by Bob Medley
If all these rich men "regret" their time with Epstein then why didn't they announce prior to the release of the files that their names would be part of the collection? Why didn't they self-report? The answer is they are not sorry and have no regret. They are sorry and regret they got caught.
February 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM
If all these rich men "regret" their time with Epstein then why didn't they announce prior to the release of the files that their names would be part of the collection? Why didn't they self-report? The answer is they are not sorry and have no regret. They are sorry and regret they got caught.
Reposted by Bob Medley
“The more Trump dominates the global agenda, the better Europe looks and the harder it becomes for Farage to argue that his brand of politics would make Britain safer, richer or more secure”
Well yes. The longest - FFS, wake up! - call to British voters ever…
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/08/2...
Well yes. The longest - FFS, wake up! - call to British voters ever…
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/08/2...
February 9, 2026 at 7:19 AM
“The more Trump dominates the global agenda, the better Europe looks and the harder it becomes for Farage to argue that his brand of politics would make Britain safer, richer or more secure”
Well yes. The longest - FFS, wake up! - call to British voters ever…
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/08/2...
Well yes. The longest - FFS, wake up! - call to British voters ever…
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/08/2...
Reposted by Bob Medley
So 'staffers' can post in Trump's name, on his account, and there's no authorisiation required?
February 6, 2026 at 5:58 PM
So 'staffers' can post in Trump's name, on his account, and there's no authorisiation required?
Reposted by Bob Medley
In news which surprises no-one who actually understands migration, cutting it undermines the whole economy. Even reductions which remain above the mythical political idea of "zero net" have fundamental impacts. Not least, because migrants actually create jobs.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Zero net migration would shrink UK economy by 3.6%, says thinktank
Jump of £37bn in budget deficit by 2040 would force government to increase taxes, NIESR predicts
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:49 AM
In news which surprises no-one who actually understands migration, cutting it undermines the whole economy. Even reductions which remain above the mythical political idea of "zero net" have fundamental impacts. Not least, because migrants actually create jobs.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Bob Medley
What I find amusing about the Express' cinematic universe is that the UK is simultaneously free and thriving thanks to Brexit and poor and oppressed thanks to the current government. This dichotomy is also reflected in Mail/Telegraph etc but its at its most acute in the Express.
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 AM
What I find amusing about the Express' cinematic universe is that the UK is simultaneously free and thriving thanks to Brexit and poor and oppressed thanks to the current government. This dichotomy is also reflected in Mail/Telegraph etc but its at its most acute in the Express.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Instead of conferring titles, gongs and baubles and then demanding those titles, gongs and baubles be removed…
…perhaps as a modern, mature polity we should have far fewer titles, gongs and baubles in the first place.
…perhaps as a modern, mature polity we should have far fewer titles, gongs and baubles in the first place.
February 2, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Instead of conferring titles, gongs and baubles and then demanding those titles, gongs and baubles be removed…
…perhaps as a modern, mature polity we should have far fewer titles, gongs and baubles in the first place.
…perhaps as a modern, mature polity we should have far fewer titles, gongs and baubles in the first place.
Reposted by Bob Medley
The test for whether sufficient Epstein documents have been disclosed is simple.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
February 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The test for whether sufficient Epstein documents have been disclosed is simple.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Reposted by Bob Medley
The law mandates that redactions can only be made to protect victims or information currently under investigation.
US Justice Dept signalling job is over.
Numerous survivors' names have been disclosed in the latest release.
Why so many remaining unexplained redactions and unreleased files?
US Justice Dept signalling job is over.
Numerous survivors' names have been disclosed in the latest release.
Why so many remaining unexplained redactions and unreleased files?
February 1, 2026 at 9:32 AM
The law mandates that redactions can only be made to protect victims or information currently under investigation.
US Justice Dept signalling job is over.
Numerous survivors' names have been disclosed in the latest release.
Why so many remaining unexplained redactions and unreleased files?
US Justice Dept signalling job is over.
Numerous survivors' names have been disclosed in the latest release.
Why so many remaining unexplained redactions and unreleased files?
Reposted by Bob Medley
The 'armada' hasn't halted the crackdown on anti-government protests and won't force a regime change.
Rather its being deployed as leverage for Trump's deal, whatever that may consist of.
He may be concerned with sale of Iranian oil to China but the prime focus will be on benefit to Trump.
Rather its being deployed as leverage for Trump's deal, whatever that may consist of.
He may be concerned with sale of Iranian oil to China but the prime focus will be on benefit to Trump.
February 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The 'armada' hasn't halted the crackdown on anti-government protests and won't force a regime change.
Rather its being deployed as leverage for Trump's deal, whatever that may consist of.
He may be concerned with sale of Iranian oil to China but the prime focus will be on benefit to Trump.
Rather its being deployed as leverage for Trump's deal, whatever that may consist of.
He may be concerned with sale of Iranian oil to China but the prime focus will be on benefit to Trump.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Clearly not the cleverest but then everything Andrew attained, from military rank to partonages, from trade envoy to titles and honours, was due to him being born a royal.
February 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Clearly not the cleverest but then everything Andrew attained, from military rank to partonages, from trade envoy to titles and honours, was due to him being born a royal.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Less about Brexit and more about people who can't admit they were wrong.
January 31, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Less about Brexit and more about people who can't admit they were wrong.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Europe isn't doomed to inexorable decline — and in fact is doing better than most people realize, the IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has said in an interview with POLITICO.
IMF chief tells Europe to drop the doom loop
Seven of the 10 best-performing economies in 2025 were EU countries — so Europe should stop talking itself down, says Kristalina Georgieva.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Europe isn't doomed to inexorable decline — and in fact is doing better than most people realize, the IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has said in an interview with POLITICO.
"On revenue, the policy has delivered. Customs revenue rose sharply by US$287 billion (£213 billion),..." "... they raised money – but mainly (96%) from American buyers."
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
The winners and losers from US tariffs after one year of Trump
The US President claimed that tariffs would revive manufacturing and rebalance trade in America’s favour
www.independent.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 8:46 AM
"On revenue, the policy has delivered. Customs revenue rose sharply by US$287 billion (£213 billion),..." "... they raised money – but mainly (96%) from American buyers."
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Bob Medley
I don't see an apology or retraction of his previous statement.
January 24, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I don't see an apology or retraction of his previous statement.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Loathe to reference Hitler and Nazism because the connotations are so extreme and they're often deployed in a flippant and completely inappropriate context.
Yet, several aspects of current US 'policy' undoubtedly warrant the comparison.
Yet, several aspects of current US 'policy' undoubtedly warrant the comparison.
January 24, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Loathe to reference Hitler and Nazism because the connotations are so extreme and they're often deployed in a flippant and completely inappropriate context.
Yet, several aspects of current US 'policy' undoubtedly warrant the comparison.
Yet, several aspects of current US 'policy' undoubtedly warrant the comparison.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Board of Peace - Season 1
Reposted by Bob Medley
Tonight @channel4tv.bsky.social is airing this utterly vital masterpiece from Jonathan Glazer. Fascists are human beings. Evil is rationalised, normalised, unquestioned. What happened then is happening now. See it.
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
The Zone of Interest
(2023) Powerful drama about Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss’s chillingly genteel life
www.channel4.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Tonight @channel4tv.bsky.social is airing this utterly vital masterpiece from Jonathan Glazer. Fascists are human beings. Evil is rationalised, normalised, unquestioned. What happened then is happening now. See it.
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
www.channel4.com/programmes/t...
Reposted by Bob Medley
Was the entrance music 'Rockin In The Free World'?
January 22, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Was the entrance music 'Rockin In The Free World'?
Reposted by Bob Medley
Much of the economic premise for Brexit was based on an idea that UK could swap EU ties for closer alignment and a vastly improved trade relationship with US.
Those who championed that view are now espousing ever more ridiculous theories in an attempt to maintain that their argument was correct.
Those who championed that view are now espousing ever more ridiculous theories in an attempt to maintain that their argument was correct.
January 23, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Much of the economic premise for Brexit was based on an idea that UK could swap EU ties for closer alignment and a vastly improved trade relationship with US.
Those who championed that view are now espousing ever more ridiculous theories in an attempt to maintain that their argument was correct.
Those who championed that view are now espousing ever more ridiculous theories in an attempt to maintain that their argument was correct.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Thought that was just Jenrick's biog.
January 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Thought that was just Jenrick's biog.
Reposted by Bob Medley
Carney:
"In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness... Canada can't solve all the world's problems. But we can show that another way is possible. That the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism".
"In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness... Canada can't solve all the world's problems. But we can show that another way is possible. That the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism".
January 22, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Carney:
"In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness... Canada can't solve all the world's problems. But we can show that another way is possible. That the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism".
"In a time of rising populism and ethnic nationalism, Canada can show how diversity is a strength, not a weakness... Canada can't solve all the world's problems. But we can show that another way is possible. That the arc of history isn't destined to be warped toward authoritarianism".
Even during times of peak UK/US cooperation the 'special relationship' was largely a one-sided delusion promoted by UK politicians.
That it was never a relationship of equals has rarely, if ever, been more obvious than today.
That it was never a relationship of equals has rarely, if ever, been more obvious than today.
January 21, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Even during times of peak UK/US cooperation the 'special relationship' was largely a one-sided delusion promoted by UK politicians.
That it was never a relationship of equals has rarely, if ever, been more obvious than today.
That it was never a relationship of equals has rarely, if ever, been more obvious than today.