Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
I write the newsletter, Lines To Take, bringing you one big story of the day, every day.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/
I like human rights and French cuisine.
Pinned
Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
· Mar 14
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral
I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail)
www.linestotake.com
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral.
That time I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail).
My new newsletter, Lines To Take, out now.
That time I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail).
My new newsletter, Lines To Take, out now.
What kind of conspiracy theorist sends an email to the FBI asking for digital authentication?
This purported "suicide" video of Jeffrey Epstein in his prison cell is in the latest batch of Epstein files. But it's a fake 3D render posted to YouTube in 2020.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
December 24, 2025 at 12:46 PM
What kind of conspiracy theorist sends an email to the FBI asking for digital authentication?
Having to sit through Reels I don't like on subjects I'm usually interested in so as not to throw the algorithm off whack is exactly how I expected to spend my thirties.
December 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Having to sit through Reels I don't like on subjects I'm usually interested in so as not to throw the algorithm off whack is exactly how I expected to spend my thirties.
My latest special interest is sports YouTube video titles and in particular the use of all caps. I can just about live with "ONE-SIDED" but why "REFLECTS'?
"ONE-SIDED contest!" - Journalist Daniel Cherny REFLECTS on why this Ashes hasn't been competitive
YouTube video by talkSPORT Cricket
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
My latest special interest is sports YouTube video titles and in particular the use of all caps. I can just about live with "ONE-SIDED" but why "REFLECTS'?
Collective responsibility is my passion.
December 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Collective responsibility is my passion.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Today is my final day as the Standard's Courts Correspondent
After a decade, it's time for a new challenge
I'll continue to cover the courts & remain obsessed with open justice
The joy of this job has been working with very talented & hard-working people who I will miss a lot
After a decade, it's time for a new challenge
I'll continue to cover the courts & remain obsessed with open justice
The joy of this job has been working with very talented & hard-working people who I will miss a lot
December 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Today is my final day as the Standard's Courts Correspondent
After a decade, it's time for a new challenge
I'll continue to cover the courts & remain obsessed with open justice
The joy of this job has been working with very talented & hard-working people who I will miss a lot
After a decade, it's time for a new challenge
I'll continue to cover the courts & remain obsessed with open justice
The joy of this job has been working with very talented & hard-working people who I will miss a lot
First day of Christmas holidays and researching why fridges have lights but not freezers.
December 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
First day of Christmas holidays and researching why fridges have lights but not freezers.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Two Jews meet at Ben Gurion Airport. One is arriving with his family to live, the other is leaving. Both cite security concerns.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
A week after Bondi, is there anywhere Jewish people can f...
Australia has been just about the best place to be Jewish in the history of space and time. But that has changed
observer.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Two Jews meet at Ben Gurion Airport. One is arriving with his family to live, the other is leaving. Both cite security concerns.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
Not a trains guy, understand HS2 is about capacity as well as speed, think ditching the northern leg of HS2 was dumb but:
£100m to save about 45 mins from London to Paris
£100bn to save about 45 mins from London to Birmingham
£100m to save about 45 mins from London to Paris
£100bn to save about 45 mins from London to Birmingham
London St Pancras revamp aims to cut Eurostar waiting time to 15 minutes
Planned £100mn overhaul of train station will seek to end ‘holding pen’ experience for passengers
www.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Not a trains guy, understand HS2 is about capacity as well as speed, think ditching the northern leg of HS2 was dumb but:
£100m to save about 45 mins from London to Paris
£100bn to save about 45 mins from London to Birmingham
£100m to save about 45 mins from London to Paris
£100bn to save about 45 mins from London to Birmingham
Two Jews meet at Ben Gurion Airport. One is arriving with his family to live, the other is leaving. Both cite security concerns.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
A week after Bondi, is there anywhere Jewish people can f...
Australia has been just about the best place to be Jewish in the history of space and time. But that has changed
observer.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Two Jews meet at Ben Gurion Airport. One is arriving with his family to live, the other is leaving. Both cite security concerns.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
I've written for @theobserveruk.bsky.social about Bondi — and whether there is anywhere Jewish people can feel safe.
Semi-annual reminder that ‘portmanteau’ is a portmanteau of actress Natalie Portman and former French tennis player Julien Benneteau.
December 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Semi-annual reminder that ‘portmanteau’ is a portmanteau of actress Natalie Portman and former French tennis player Julien Benneteau.
The final Lines To Take of the year markets itself as a Christmas Quiz, but is in fact a test of who’s really been paying attention in class.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The final Lines To Take of the year markets itself as a Christmas Quiz, but is in fact a test of who’s really been paying attention in class.
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/the-christ...
Perplexed why the Russians hired David Davis for this.
Moscow had 3 years to prepare retaliation for an eventuality where the EU uses the frozen assets to fund Ukraine.
Now FT reports Moscow has not revealed yet what steps it might take and officials are looking into X Y Z.
Years of prep and that's it - so there are no options?
Now FT reports Moscow has not revealed yet what steps it might take and officials are looking into X Y Z.
Years of prep and that's it - so there are no options?
I love the articles with member-states being scared of Russian retaliation and then the articles go on to say that Russia has nothing to retaliate with yet.
Reuters implied Moscow is looking at options? They've seen this coming for months and now look at options? Aha.
www.ft.com/content/616d...
Reuters implied Moscow is looking at options? They've seen this coming for months and now look at options? Aha.
www.ft.com/content/616d...
December 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Perplexed why the Russians hired David Davis for this.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
"There is a time to sob, and there is a time to dance, and we have to do both right now." — Rachel Goldberg-Polin.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
Sparking Jewish Joy
How much to give for a Bark Mitzvah?
www.linestotake.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
"There is a time to sob, and there is a time to dance, and we have to do both right now." — Rachel Goldberg-Polin.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
"There is a time to sob, and there is a time to dance, and we have to do both right now." — Rachel Goldberg-Polin.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
Sparking Jewish Joy
How much to give for a Bark Mitzvah?
www.linestotake.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
"There is a time to sob, and there is a time to dance, and we have to do both right now." — Rachel Goldberg-Polin.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
To that end, I hereby submit to the jury my contribution to Jewish joy.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
I'd hoped normal service might resume today. I woke up with a tight 600 words mentally typed out on the suspension of the US-UK technology deal. The subject line included a terrific pun.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
I'm exhausted
And this was a fairly light day
www.linestotake.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I'd hoped normal service might resume today. I woke up with a tight 600 words mentally typed out on the suspension of the US-UK technology deal. The subject line included a terrific pun.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
I'd hoped normal service might resume today. I woke up with a tight 600 words mentally typed out on the suspension of the US-UK technology deal. The subject line included a terrific pun.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
I'm exhausted
And this was a fairly light day
www.linestotake.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I'd hoped normal service might resume today. I woke up with a tight 600 words mentally typed out on the suspension of the US-UK technology deal. The subject line included a terrific pun.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
Then, I went for a walk in Sydney.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
I am not your canary in the coal mine
The Bondi shooting deliberately targeted Jews. It's important to say so
www.linestotake.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
Next thing you know, we'll be inviting the Dutch to invade and take the crown.
Given the way things work in the BBC, it comes as no surprise that a Dutchman has been chosen to lecture us on modern British history.
✍️ Lawrence Goldman
✍️ Lawrence Goldman
The Reith lectures are a new low in BBC history
Given the way things work in the BBC, it comes as no surprise that a Dutchman has been chosen to lecture us on modern British history
www.spectator.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Next thing you know, we'll be inviting the Dutch to invade and take the crown.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
"...the attack, in which 15 people were killed..."
Oh, what kind of people? Did the victims have something in common?
Oh, what kind of people? Did the victims have something in common?
December 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
"...the attack, in which 15 people were killed..."
Oh, what kind of people? Did the victims have something in common?
Oh, what kind of people? Did the victims have something in common?
Despite not having worn one for years, I still raise my hand to my chest whenever I break out into a run in order to prevent the phantom lanyard from flying into my face.
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Despite not having worn one for years, I still raise my hand to my chest whenever I break out into a run in order to prevent the phantom lanyard from flying into my face.
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
I am not your canary in the coal mine
The Bondi shooting deliberately targeted Jews. It's important to say so
www.linestotake.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Once you see it, it's hard to miss it. Statements condemning violent attacks targeting Jews that don't actually mention "Jews" or "antisemitism".
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
This is a choice — and it's central to the crisis.
My newsletter, out now.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
Yesterday morning, I attended a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. There were, on that occasion, no fatalities.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
I went to a Hanukkah party in Sydney
The era of the maximum security religion is over
www.linestotake.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Yesterday morning, I attended a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. There were, on that occasion, no fatalities.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
Yesterday morning, I attended a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. There were, on that occasion, no fatalities.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
I went to a Hanukkah party in Sydney
The era of the maximum security religion is over
www.linestotake.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Yesterday morning, I attended a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. There were, on that occasion, no fatalities.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
But the era of the maximum security religion is over. Higher walls and managed exclusion can no longer act as a substitute for moral confrontation.
Grief. Shock. Anger. Weariness. Community.
December 15, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Grief. Shock. Anger. Weariness. Community.