Kathy O'Donnell
@kathyodonnell.bsky.social
Journalist, parent to two grown-ups, LGBT+ rights campaigner, former night editor of The Times, Scotland. Lives in France. [she/her]
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The crushing of humanity is the point. Venture capital (reducing it to "tech" acts like workers and bosses are the same) wants to cause the collapse of several economic classes that it considers vulnerable to what they're describing as "the great disembowelment".
this is a very basic point to make but I hate that so many tech people are going "whoops haha AI is about to destroy society as we know it!" and yet incredibly few tech people are arguing in favour of just...slowing down the roll-out of AI, apparently progress must crush us and we have no say in it?
February 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
The crushing of humanity is the point. Venture capital (reducing it to "tech" acts like workers and bosses are the same) wants to cause the collapse of several economic classes that it considers vulnerable to what they're describing as "the great disembowelment".
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Humiliated in the media, denied healthcare, attacked by the human rights watchdog, shut out by the Supreme Court, bullied by social services and the police, disadvantaged in the jobs market, death figures covered up by the State, harassment de facto legalised, and attackers deified by Ministers.
I have friends being threatened by their workplaces over the use of toilets they've been using for years without problem.
Nearly a year into many trans people in the UK being forced to use disabled toilets or asked to work from home pending legal advice and stuff and I haven't seen a single "Izzy's boss told her she has to use a disabled toilet, here's how she feels about it" piece in the papers.
February 20, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Humiliated in the media, denied healthcare, attacked by the human rights watchdog, shut out by the Supreme Court, bullied by social services and the police, disadvantaged in the jobs market, death figures covered up by the State, harassment de facto legalised, and attackers deified by Ministers.
Extraordinary journalism from within and without Afghanistan.
Follow The Afghan Times bsky.app/profile/thea...
Follow The Afghan Times bsky.app/profile/thea...
bsky.app
February 20, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Extraordinary journalism from within and without Afghanistan.
Follow The Afghan Times bsky.app/profile/thea...
Follow The Afghan Times bsky.app/profile/thea...
Who pays Reform's candidate?
What do they want for the money?
How is this in the interests of UK voters?
Why do our laws allow it?
What do they want for the money?
How is this in the interests of UK voters?
Why do our laws allow it?
Reform’s by-election candidate Matt Goodwin received a salary of up to €10,000 a month from a far-right pressure group based in Hungary 👀
https://goodlaw.social/pif5
https://goodlaw.social/pif5
Orbán’s pay cheques: Reform candidate fuelled by profits from Russian oil
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
goodlaw.social
February 20, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Who pays Reform's candidate?
What do they want for the money?
How is this in the interests of UK voters?
Why do our laws allow it?
What do they want for the money?
How is this in the interests of UK voters?
Why do our laws allow it?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
"Afghanistan: Men are allowed to beat their wives, as long as they don’t break any bones, under a new Taliban penal code." [Times]
If she can prove he beat her and broke her bones, he can get 15 days in jail.
"Other types of violence, such as sexual or psychological, are not explicitly prohibited"
If she can prove he beat her and broke her bones, he can get 15 days in jail.
"Other types of violence, such as sexual or psychological, are not explicitly prohibited"
February 20, 2026 at 8:25 AM
"Afghanistan: Men are allowed to beat their wives, as long as they don’t break any bones, under a new Taliban penal code." [Times]
If she can prove he beat her and broke her bones, he can get 15 days in jail.
"Other types of violence, such as sexual or psychological, are not explicitly prohibited"
If she can prove he beat her and broke her bones, he can get 15 days in jail.
"Other types of violence, such as sexual or psychological, are not explicitly prohibited"
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
I'm delighted to announce that the paperback of Upon A White Horse: Journeys In Ancient Britain and Ireland will be published on April 23 by @headlinebooks.bsky.social. Just in time, I hope, for better weather that will allow people to visit some of the beautiful old places I write about.
February 20, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I'm delighted to announce that the paperback of Upon A White Horse: Journeys In Ancient Britain and Ireland will be published on April 23 by @headlinebooks.bsky.social. Just in time, I hope, for better weather that will allow people to visit some of the beautiful old places I write about.
Good.
FT exclusive:
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
Global Counsel, the advisory firm founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, is set to go into administration as soon as Friday in the wake of revelations about the former peer and Jeffrey Epstein, its staff have been told.
www.ft.com/content/ad5d...
February 19, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Good.
Today let's remember courageous Virginia Giuffre and all her fellow survivors.
"Holding on to small & significant truths, especially when difficult, can make the difference. Virginia Giuffre did, as she had no choice. Because of the survivors, the Epstein Files were released. They made darkness visible for us all"
My editorial on Andrew, contempt – and creating powerlessness:
My editorial on Andrew, contempt – and creating powerlessness:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: How Power Protects Itself Through Contempt
As the eighth in line of succession to the British throne is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Hardeep Matharu explores how elite impunity is built on creating a sense of powerless...
bylinetimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Today let's remember courageous Virginia Giuffre and all her fellow survivors.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
There is hope of accountability. Well worth read.
🔴 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: How Power Protects Itself Through Contempt
"Andrew expected the public to swallow an alternative account, even if he didn't think we would believe it. It is how the powerful protect their impunity through contempt for those they exploit" @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social
"Andrew expected the public to swallow an alternative account, even if he didn't think we would believe it. It is how the powerful protect their impunity through contempt for those they exploit" @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: How Power Protects Itself Through Contempt
As the eighth in line of succession to the British throne is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Hardeep Matharu explores how elite impunity is built on creating a sense of powerless...
bylinetimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:46 PM
There is hope of accountability. Well worth read.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Do I know any wealthy folks who want to throw around $5K into my non-profit to help bring my show to Edinburgh?
February 19, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Do I know any wealthy folks who want to throw around $5K into my non-profit to help bring my show to Edinburgh?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned one of our greatest writers into a disposable meme
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned a great writer into a disposable meme
George Orwell has been appropriated by both the left and right and turned into an cliche. Our Writer at Large Neil Mackay asks: can we save him from…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned one of our greatest writers into a disposable meme
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 18, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
![SCENE: A PASSPORT CONTROL GATE, IN THE SKY, ON A CLOUD. THE PASSPORT CONTROL GATE HAS ‘CORPOREAL REALM’ WRITTEN ON IT.
PASSPORT CONTROL OFFICIAL: Passport please, sir.
OFFICIAL [LOOKING AT PASSPORT]: Ah - the famous Dr Jenner!
EDWARD JENNER, A FLOATING GHOST IN EDWARDIAN GARB: Indeed, haha
OFFICIAL: And what's the purpose of your visit to the corporeal realm, Dr Jenner?
EDWARD JENNER: Haunting.
OFFICIAL: Oh lovely. Anyone nice?
EDWARD JENNER: Just a little tour of some anti-vaxxers.
OFFICIAL: Wonderful. I hear Andrew Wakefield’s bedroom is just •perfect• at this time of year.
EDWARD JENNER: It is! I spent last summer standing by his bed, calling him a c--.
OFFICIAL: Lucky yooou…
OFFICIAL [LOOKING AT DOCUMENTS]: Oh... oh dear...
EDWARD JENNER: Is everything OK?
OFFICIAL: I’m afraid your card says you haven’t had the required stupidity vaccination for your trip.
EDWARD JENNER: Oh dear!
OFFICIAL: It’s fine - we can do it here…
Just read this anti-vax tweet by Jim Carrey
EDWARD JENNER [reading a smartphone]: Egads!
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibelysv45nptkn3fzrjup3xl5tx5pcmnzvmcbpim72tul5dvyf2w4@jpeg)
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
In the last SNP manifesto, they proudly said they were “leading Europe on LGBTI equality”. But we remember what Governments do, not what they say. How will we remember their choice to use the definition of “sex” from the Supreme Court ruling in law? equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In the last SNP manifesto, they proudly said they were “leading Europe on LGBTI equality”. But we remember what Governments do, not what they say. How will we remember their choice to use the definition of “sex” from the Supreme Court ruling in law? equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Calling all Journalists!
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Calling all Journalists!
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
This man's company has big contracts with the UK government.
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
👉 Palantir CEO Alex Karp
“You need a higher purpose, and I think you often need a lower purpose"
“What’s your lower purpose?”
Karp: “I love the idea of getting a drone and having light fentanyl-laced urine spraying on analysts that tried to screw us.”
“You need a higher purpose, and I think you often need a lower purpose"
“What’s your lower purpose?”
Karp: “I love the idea of getting a drone and having light fentanyl-laced urine spraying on analysts that tried to screw us.”
February 18, 2026 at 6:51 AM
This man's company has big contracts with the UK government.
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
A dreadful story, but buried in the middle is: "A tall friend says she gets shouted at all the time", hmm, I wonder what gets shouted at her Guardian and whether you might have anything to do with why people would be picking on and shouting at TALL women in particular 🤔
A man pushed me in the street, he wanted to teach me a lesson. Is that OK now? | Lucy Pasha-Robinson
A man pushed me in the street, he wanted to teach me a lesson. Is that OK now? | Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Many women reading this will have experienced something similar: a warning that sharing public space isn’t a man’s job, it’s a woman’s, says Lucy Pasha-Robinson, a Guardian assistant Opinion editor
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:21 AM
A dreadful story, but buried in the middle is: "A tall friend says she gets shouted at all the time", hmm, I wonder what gets shouted at her Guardian and whether you might have anything to do with why people would be picking on and shouting at TALL women in particular 🤔
ALERT!!
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
21 East Crosscauseway, built around 1778 on what is now a side street but was then the only paved road in the south of Edinburgh, which linked the city’s two main roads south. (The name comes an unfortunate anglicisation of the Scots word "causey", meaning "paved".)
Former residents include:
Former residents include:
February 17, 2026 at 10:16 AM
ALERT!!
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Johnson caught lying about his relationship with US far-right fixer Bannon.
Asked back in 2019 about reports of his work with Steve Bannon, Boris Johnson described them as “the biggest load of codswallop I have ever heard.”
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
Bannon, Epstein, Farage and Johnson and the Plot to 'Topple' Theresa May
The far-right former Trump adviser told Jeffrey Epstein that "we are overthrowing May right now" as he worked with Boris Johnson to remove the then Conservative Prime Minister from office
bylinetimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Johnson caught lying about his relationship with US far-right fixer Bannon.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Dr Beth Upton went to work one day to help sick people, and that is it. She's done nothing wrong (highlighted by the courts), never got involved in the media, never said a bad word about anyone, even once. And she's been hounded out of the country by bigots who hate that she exists.
February 15, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Dr Beth Upton went to work one day to help sick people, and that is it. She's done nothing wrong (highlighted by the courts), never got involved in the media, never said a bad word about anyone, even once. And she's been hounded out of the country by bigots who hate that she exists.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It would be really nice if all the high profile cis women who have spent years bashing trans people because they think their existence is an affront to our rights would turn their attention to this actual women-hating fascist rhetoric, coming from Reform, please - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGg...
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM
It would be really nice if all the high profile cis women who have spent years bashing trans people because they think their existence is an affront to our rights would turn their attention to this actual women-hating fascist rhetoric, coming from Reform, please - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGg...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
International human rights actors have sounded the alarm about April’s Supreme Court ruling and the direction of travel for trans people’s rights in the UK. Does Scot Gov want to be remembered for playing its part in protecting our rights? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 15, 2026 at 10:01 AM
International human rights actors have sounded the alarm about April’s Supreme Court ruling and the direction of travel for trans people’s rights in the UK. Does Scot Gov want to be remembered for playing its part in protecting our rights? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
A truly wonderful teacher at our primary school needs help. A father of three, a volunteer fireman and a positive, selfless star of this community, he has a big, aggressive brain tumour for which there is currently no cure. Please help, even if you can only give a little. gofund.me/744fe0eba
Donate to Help Local Teacher and Firefighter Access Urgent Treatment, organized by Brian McKinnon
For the past seven years, James McPherson (Mr McPherson to th… Brian McKinnon needs your support for Help Local Teacher and Firefighter Access Urgent Treatment
gofund.me
February 15, 2026 at 10:07 AM
A truly wonderful teacher at our primary school needs help. A father of three, a volunteer fireman and a positive, selfless star of this community, he has a big, aggressive brain tumour for which there is currently no cure. Please help, even if you can only give a little. gofund.me/744fe0eba
