Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
Ancient historian/archaeologist. British. Live in the Netherlands. Hobbies: reading (obviously!), writing fiction, music (pop/Classical), painting miniatures. Tentatively getting back into blogging: https://thefourthsophistic.wordpress.com
Pinned
Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Political polarization is an unhelpful myth. Only one side is becoming more extreme. There is nothing extreme in standing firm in opposing rightwing extremism.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The Nobel Prize Committee should release a statement that leaders who dismantle democracy at home, have no regard for international law and are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths by cutting their aid budget are extremely unlikely to be considered for the Peace Prize.
January 10, 2026 at 10:44 AM
The Nobel Prize Committee should release a statement that leaders who dismantle democracy at home, have no regard for international law and are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths by cutting their aid budget are extremely unlikely to be considered for the Peace Prize.
In which a former assistant Secretary of State to Obama is quoted as saying he “doesn’t disagree with what [Trump] is trying to do” just how he’s doing it! What he’s trying to do is destroy democracy & the international law to make himself more powerful & richer www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Trump warned his threats to take Greenland put critical US defence agreements at risk
Exclusive: Obama’s former assistant secretary of state Frank Rose was the last U.S. official to negotiate a defence deal with Denmark and the Greenland Home Rule administration. He spoke to The Indepe...
www.independent.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM
In which a former assistant Secretary of State to Obama is quoted as saying he “doesn’t disagree with what [Trump] is trying to do” just how he’s doing it! What he’s trying to do is destroy democracy & the international law to make himself more powerful & richer www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
The Nobel Prize Committee should release a statement that leaders who dismantle democracy at home, have no regard for international law and are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths by cutting their aid budget are extremely unlikely to be considered for the Peace Prize.
January 10, 2026 at 10:44 AM
The Nobel Prize Committee should release a statement that leaders who dismantle democracy at home, have no regard for international law and are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths by cutting their aid budget are extremely unlikely to be considered for the Peace Prize.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The richest individual on Earth should not own the keys to the largest disinformation machine on the planet.
It's not censorship to switch X off. It's common sense.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's not censorship to switch X off. It's common sense.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
The government is urging Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 9:26 AM
The richest individual on Earth should not own the keys to the largest disinformation machine on the planet.
It's not censorship to switch X off. It's common sense.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's not censorship to switch X off. It's common sense.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It would all be a lot less tiring if more leaders and journalists in Europe could be honest about what’s happening in the US and about the threat of it spreading here. No normalization. No pretending Trump’s a friend. No ground given in defending against the relentless assault on democracy.
January 10, 2026 at 10:33 AM
It would all be a lot less tiring if more leaders and journalists in Europe could be honest about what’s happening in the US and about the threat of it spreading here. No normalization. No pretending Trump’s a friend. No ground given in defending against the relentless assault on democracy.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Who would have ever thought that it would be a president of the United States who would threaten to invade NATO territory and not Vladimir Putin?
January 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Who would have ever thought that it would be a president of the United States who would threaten to invade NATO territory and not Vladimir Putin?
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
January 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
What the US actually needs is to get rid of this self obsessed President before it loses every one of its once reliable allies.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump says US needs to 'own' Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking it
We will do it
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 9:59 AM
What the US actually needs is to get rid of this self obsessed President before it loses every one of its once reliable allies.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
NATO (of which #TrumpyPumpy is a part) can defend Greenland against Russia and China.
January 10, 2026 at 8:50 AM
NATO (of which #TrumpyPumpy is a part) can defend Greenland against Russia and China.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The election campaign was just an open conspiracy to put him above the law so he could get back to dismantling democracy. He and his supporters cried “lawfare” when people tried to hold him to account but there was no such thing. The law was there to keep people like him away from power. It failed.
January 9, 2026 at 12:01 PM
The election campaign was just an open conspiracy to put him above the law so he could get back to dismantling democracy. He and his supporters cried “lawfare” when people tried to hold him to account but there was no such thing. The law was there to keep people like him away from power. It failed.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
A reminder after seeing what has happened in the USA that Nigel Farage constantly says that the Police should carry guns and that handguns should be unbanned.
He wants this type of terror on British streets.
He wants this type of terror on British streets.
January 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
A reminder after seeing what has happened in the USA that Nigel Farage constantly says that the Police should carry guns and that handguns should be unbanned.
He wants this type of terror on British streets.
He wants this type of terror on British streets.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
This asshole should've NEVER been reelected to office-especially after being CONVICTED OF 34 FELONY COUNTS...
and this country knows it.
and this country knows it.
January 8, 2026 at 7:16 PM
This asshole should've NEVER been reelected to office-especially after being CONVICTED OF 34 FELONY COUNTS...
and this country knows it.
and this country knows it.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Farage Accused Of 'Wanting To Bring Trump's Death Squads' To UK
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/farage...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/farage...
Farage Accused Of Wanting To Bring 'Trump's Death Squads' To UK
Green Party leader Zack Polanski suggested Reform must be stopped.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Farage Accused Of 'Wanting To Bring Trump's Death Squads' To UK
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/farage...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/farage...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The Vice President of the United States stood before the press this afternoon answering questions and said that federal officers are protected by “absolute immunity.” That is not true. That is a lie. Absolute immunity does not apply to federal agents, …yet. Are you paying attention, ….yet?
January 9, 2026 at 2:29 AM
The Vice President of the United States stood before the press this afternoon answering questions and said that federal officers are protected by “absolute immunity.” That is not true. That is a lie. Absolute immunity does not apply to federal agents, …yet. Are you paying attention, ….yet?
He has no morality to be constrained by www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
President says morality ‘the only thing that can stop me’ in New York Times interview on limits to his authority
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM
He has no morality to be constrained by www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
I remember seeing someone here, just after Trump’s inauguration, saying “at least the UK has a Labour government until beyond the next US election”. Really did feel like a relief. Yet since then that government has done nothing but normalize Trump, nothing to stop his assault on democracy spreading.
January 9, 2026 at 9:55 AM
I remember seeing someone here, just after Trump’s inauguration, saying “at least the UK has a Labour government until beyond the next US election”. Really did feel like a relief. Yet since then that government has done nothing but normalize Trump, nothing to stop his assault on democracy spreading.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The World Cup should not be held in the United States.
January 9, 2026 at 2:17 AM
The World Cup should not be held in the United States.
I remember seeing someone here, just after Trump’s inauguration, saying “at least the UK has a Labour government until beyond the next US election”. Really did feel like a relief. Yet since then that government has done nothing but normalize Trump, nothing to stop his assault on democracy spreading.
January 9, 2026 at 9:55 AM
I remember seeing someone here, just after Trump’s inauguration, saying “at least the UK has a Labour government until beyond the next US election”. Really did feel like a relief. Yet since then that government has done nothing but normalize Trump, nothing to stop his assault on democracy spreading.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
What did we think would happen?
Trump tripled ICE’s budget to $27.7 billion a year
It now has a bigger budget than the militaries of most countries
Then he turbo‑charged recruitment with six‑figure salaries and up to $50,000 sign‑on bonuses
Anyone paying attention could see what he was growing
Trump tripled ICE’s budget to $27.7 billion a year
It now has a bigger budget than the militaries of most countries
Then he turbo‑charged recruitment with six‑figure salaries and up to $50,000 sign‑on bonuses
Anyone paying attention could see what he was growing
January 9, 2026 at 9:44 AM
What did we think would happen?
Trump tripled ICE’s budget to $27.7 billion a year
It now has a bigger budget than the militaries of most countries
Then he turbo‑charged recruitment with six‑figure salaries and up to $50,000 sign‑on bonuses
Anyone paying attention could see what he was growing
Trump tripled ICE’s budget to $27.7 billion a year
It now has a bigger budget than the militaries of most countries
Then he turbo‑charged recruitment with six‑figure salaries and up to $50,000 sign‑on bonuses
Anyone paying attention could see what he was growing
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
'I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
Appeasing the gangster Emperor gets you temporary concessions.
Other hegemons will play the same game - attack countries, kidnap people, grab wealth, share it with a clique.
New imperialism in our lifetime.
Appeasing the gangster Emperor gets you temporary concessions.
Other hegemons will play the same game - attack countries, kidnap people, grab wealth, share it with a clique.
New imperialism in our lifetime.
‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
President says morality ‘the only thing that can stop me’ in New York Times interview on limits to his authority
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:28 AM
'I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
Appeasing the gangster Emperor gets you temporary concessions.
Other hegemons will play the same game - attack countries, kidnap people, grab wealth, share it with a clique.
New imperialism in our lifetime.
Appeasing the gangster Emperor gets you temporary concessions.
Other hegemons will play the same game - attack countries, kidnap people, grab wealth, share it with a clique.
New imperialism in our lifetime.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Masked government agents are killing people in the streets, abducting people from their homes in the middle of the night, and arresting those who speak out.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
January 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Masked government agents are killing people in the streets, abducting people from their homes in the middle of the night, and arresting those who speak out.
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
If this were happening in another country, what would you call it?
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” —George Orwell (1984)
January 8, 2026 at 3:32 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” —George Orwell (1984)
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
I will never be able to forgive the people who voted for this.
The damage is incalculable.
The damage is incalculable.
US withdrawing from 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN entities that "operate contrary to US national interests," according to the White House. www.whitehouse.gov/presidenti...
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 1:13 PM
I will never be able to forgive the people who voted for this.
The damage is incalculable.
The damage is incalculable.
Obscene that with all the corruption, the assault on democracy and now the threatening an ally with military aggression that Mandelson has written an apology for Trump. So what if he “achieved” something in Venezuela? The “achievement” was a personal one to satisfy his greed for wealth & power
January 8, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Obscene that with all the corruption, the assault on democracy and now the threatening an ally with military aggression that Mandelson has written an apology for Trump. So what if he “achieved” something in Venezuela? The “achievement” was a personal one to satisfy his greed for wealth & power
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.