Steve Gilbert
@ombudsmans61pc.bsky.social
Time for ombuds schemes that are: pro-people and pro-justice.
And not: pro-business.
Expelled from Twitter on Halloween 2024.
Spooky.
And not: pro-business.
Expelled from Twitter on Halloween 2024.
Spooky.
290...We tried to raise the alarm over the destruction of another "symbol of democracy" - ombudsjustice.
And how The RICS "approved" - and micromanaged - ombudsman at Ombudsman Services was allowed to "arrive at decisions in an illogical manner" (DJS Research).
Might as well been speaking Chinese.
And how The RICS "approved" - and micromanaged - ombudsman at Ombudsman Services was allowed to "arrive at decisions in an illogical manner" (DJS Research).
Might as well been speaking Chinese.
Alarm raised over Chinese CCTV cameras guarding ‘symbol of democracy’ Magna Carta
Alarm raised over Chinese CCTV cameras guarding ‘symbol of democracy’ Magna Carta
Campaigners criticise use of ‘vulnerable’ devices at Salisbury Cathedral and Parthenon despite their removal from sensitive UK government sites
Security cameras guarding Magna Carta are provided by a Chinese CCTV company whose technology has allegedly aided the Uyghur “genocide” and been exploited by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, it has emerged.
In letters seen by the Guardian, campaigners called on Salisbury Cathedral, which houses one of four surviving copies of the “powerful symbol of social justice”, to rip out cameras made by Dahua Technology, based in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:26 AM
290...We tried to raise the alarm over the destruction of another "symbol of democracy" - ombudsjustice.
And how The RICS "approved" - and micromanaged - ombudsman at Ombudsman Services was allowed to "arrive at decisions in an illogical manner" (DJS Research).
Might as well been speaking Chinese.
And how The RICS "approved" - and micromanaged - ombudsman at Ombudsman Services was allowed to "arrive at decisions in an illogical manner" (DJS Research).
Might as well been speaking Chinese.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
#OtD 31 Jan 1921 the largest uprising against the Bolsheviks' policy of grain requisitioning broke out in West Siberia in a revolt which would involve 100,000 peasants by April stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1036...
January 31, 2026 at 7:25 AM
#OtD 31 Jan 1921 the largest uprising against the Bolsheviks' policy of grain requisitioning broke out in West Siberia in a revolt which would involve 100,000 peasants by April stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1036...
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
"If you want to fly, you have to give up the shit that weighs you down"
- Toni Morrison.
Flying Machine, 2010 by artist Laurie Lipton #womensart
- Toni Morrison.
Flying Machine, 2010 by artist Laurie Lipton #womensart
January 31, 2026 at 6:56 AM
"If you want to fly, you have to give up the shit that weighs you down"
- Toni Morrison.
Flying Machine, 2010 by artist Laurie Lipton #womensart
- Toni Morrison.
Flying Machine, 2010 by artist Laurie Lipton #womensart
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
January 30, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Leading American companies — including Palantir, Deloitte, and private prison giant GEO Group — raked in over $22B from ICE and CBP contracts last year.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Leading American companies — including Palantir, Deloitte, and private prison giant GEO Group — raked in over $22B from ICE and CBP contracts last year.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
‘Berend is writing with deicidal intent: once the myth has been fully exposed to the light of fact, she insists, everyone should stop worshipping El Cid. “His heroisation,” she writes, “must be abandoned.”’
@annadella.bsky.social on a new account of the medieval knight
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@annadella.bsky.social on a new account of the medieval knight
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Anna Della Subin · Gallop, Gallop: Right and Left Cids
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid, cultivated his own personal army, made up of both Christians and Muslims...
www.lrb.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM
‘Berend is writing with deicidal intent: once the myth has been fully exposed to the light of fact, she insists, everyone should stop worshipping El Cid. “His heroisation,” she writes, “must be abandoned.”’
@annadella.bsky.social on a new account of the medieval knight
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@annadella.bsky.social on a new account of the medieval knight
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
January 30, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
"On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue."
After hearing Luke Kelly (d. #OTD 1984) singing in the Bailey pub, poet Patrick Kavanagh requested he interpret his poem ‘On Raglan Road’. www.dib.ie/biography/ke... #DIBLives
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue."
After hearing Luke Kelly (d. #OTD 1984) singing in the Bailey pub, poet Patrick Kavanagh requested he interpret his poem ‘On Raglan Road’. www.dib.ie/biography/ke... #DIBLives
January 30, 2026 at 9:43 AM
"On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue."
After hearing Luke Kelly (d. #OTD 1984) singing in the Bailey pub, poet Patrick Kavanagh requested he interpret his poem ‘On Raglan Road’. www.dib.ie/biography/ke... #DIBLives
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue."
After hearing Luke Kelly (d. #OTD 1984) singing in the Bailey pub, poet Patrick Kavanagh requested he interpret his poem ‘On Raglan Road’. www.dib.ie/biography/ke... #DIBLives
289...An initial step towards accountability.
And then justice. Perhaps...
And then justice. Perhaps...
While this does not yet constitute justice, it represents an initial step toward accountability.
January 30, 2026 at 1:23 PM
289...An initial step towards accountability.
And then justice. Perhaps...
And then justice. Perhaps...
288..."We know too well - apart from the genocidal IDF and the Labour government's military and intelligence support for it - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Settler-only IDF units functioning as ‘vigilante militias’ in West Bank
Settler-only IDF units functioning as ‘vigilante militias’ in West Bank
Exclusive: ‘Regional defence’ settler units are escalating violent displacement of Palestinians, Israeli reservists and activists say
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:18 PM
288..."We know too well - apart from the genocidal IDF and the Labour government's military and intelligence support for it - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
I don't think she's interested.... I see this behaviour quite often in the Montreal Insectarium greenhouse, I wonder if it's this often in nature or if we have a higher density of butterflies in the greenhouse.
January 30, 2026 at 2:01 AM
I don't think she's interested.... I see this behaviour quite often in the Montreal Insectarium greenhouse, I wonder if it's this often in nature or if we have a higher density of butterflies in the greenhouse.
"We know too well - most especially The HindRajabFoundation - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
On the second anniversary of Hind Rajab’s killing, our grief is joined by resolve.
The HindRajabFoundation knows the killers' names, ranks, units, and chains of command.
Legal cases are underway.
JusticeForHind and all victims will come.
The HindRajabFoundation knows the killers' names, ranks, units, and chains of command.
Legal cases are underway.
JusticeForHind and all victims will come.
January 30, 2026 at 12:16 PM
"We know too well - most especially The HindRajabFoundation - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
They're not going to let me run amok* in this warehouse, but I would very much like to.
*get a bit over-excited and ask very politely if I can please touch the hand axe
*get a bit over-excited and ask very politely if I can please touch the hand axe
Treasures found on HS2 route stored in secret warehouse
Archaeological finds from the planned HS2 train line have been shown exclusively to the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 11:18 AM
They're not going to let me run amok* in this warehouse, but I would very much like to.
*get a bit over-excited and ask very politely if I can please touch the hand axe
*get a bit over-excited and ask very politely if I can please touch the hand axe
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Hashim Akib (British, b. 1967). Colours in the rain (oil on canvas).
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Hashim Akib (British, b. 1967). Colours in the rain (oil on canvas).
"We know too well - most especially Phil Buehler - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
We need a mural in London -opposite Parliament.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
We need a mural in London -opposite Parliament.
Wall of Tears: 50ft Brooklyn mural pays tribute to children killed in Gaza
Wall of Tears: 50ft Brooklyn mural pays tribute to children killed in Gaza
Installation remembers the names of over 18,000 children killed by Israel in Gaza between October 2023 and July 2025
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:50 AM
"We know too well - most especially Phil Buehler - that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
Nelson Mandela 1997.
We need a mural in London -opposite Parliament.
Nelson Mandela 1997.
We need a mural in London -opposite Parliament.
287...Blair-Labour 1997-2007 had a "light-touch" approach to regulation. Led to the 2008 crash.
The RICS extolled "light-touch" regulation of its members. Led to the ombudsinjustice at OS:Property.
And now it's Starmer-Labour's turn to fail the many but not the few...
Change?
The RICS extolled "light-touch" regulation of its members. Led to the ombudsinjustice at OS:Property.
And now it's Starmer-Labour's turn to fail the many but not the few...
Change?
Shadow banks quizzed over meltdown threat, hidden losses from false valuations.
Shadow banks (includes private equity, hedge funds and private credit) are unregulated.
Enmeshed with pension funds, insurance, banks, industry.
Red lights flashing. UK govt pushing more deregulation.
archive.ph/3wZbj
Shadow banks (includes private equity, hedge funds and private credit) are unregulated.
Enmeshed with pension funds, insurance, banks, industry.
Red lights flashing. UK govt pushing more deregulation.
archive.ph/3wZbj
‘Shadow banks’ quizzed over meltdown threat from hidden losses
City watchdog investigates as private credit boom triggers alarm bells
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 9:36 AM
287...Blair-Labour 1997-2007 had a "light-touch" approach to regulation. Led to the 2008 crash.
The RICS extolled "light-touch" regulation of its members. Led to the ombudsinjustice at OS:Property.
And now it's Starmer-Labour's turn to fail the many but not the few...
Change?
The RICS extolled "light-touch" regulation of its members. Led to the ombudsinjustice at OS:Property.
And now it's Starmer-Labour's turn to fail the many but not the few...
Change?
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
Curse of Private Equity.
PE firms cashing in on Britain’s special needs crisis.
Councils paying £90,000 - £104,614 a year for day-pupils with complex needs to Abu Dhabi controlled entities. Council spending £2.2bn a year.
No curbs on profiteering.
archive.ph/LdXqs
PE firms cashing in on Britain’s special needs crisis.
Councils paying £90,000 - £104,614 a year for day-pupils with complex needs to Abu Dhabi controlled entities. Council spending £2.2bn a year.
No curbs on profiteering.
archive.ph/LdXqs
The private equity firms cashing in on Britain’s special needs crisis
Specialist schools are a source of income for investors and a financial burden on cash-strapped councils
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Curse of Private Equity.
PE firms cashing in on Britain’s special needs crisis.
Councils paying £90,000 - £104,614 a year for day-pupils with complex needs to Abu Dhabi controlled entities. Council spending £2.2bn a year.
No curbs on profiteering.
archive.ph/LdXqs
PE firms cashing in on Britain’s special needs crisis.
Councils paying £90,000 - £104,614 a year for day-pupils with complex needs to Abu Dhabi controlled entities. Council spending £2.2bn a year.
No curbs on profiteering.
archive.ph/LdXqs
Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.
#OtD 30 Jan 1972 the Bloody Sunday massacre took place when British soldiers fired on unarmed civil rights protesters in the Bogside, Ireland, killing 14. Protesters had been opposing the policy of internment stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1028...
January 30, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
'Running Iris' linocut by Australian printmaker Rachel Newling #WomensArt
January 30, 2026 at 6:49 AM
'Running Iris' linocut by Australian printmaker Rachel Newling #WomensArt
From: Reform
To: Former.
Let's hope it's a trend.
To: Former.
Let's hope it's a trend.
Reform UK council chair resigns after ‘illegally renting out two unsafe properties’
Reform UK council chair resigns after ‘illegally renting out two unsafe properties’
Edward Harris, chair of Warwickshire county council, owned homes with ‘multiple serious safety failures’
A Reform UK council chair has resigned after it was found he was illegally running two unsafe rental properties, according to a neighbouring local authority.
Edward Harris, the chair of Warwickshire county council, owned two unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in Staffordshire that had “multiple serious safety failures”, according to Labour-led Tamworth borough council. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:02 PM
From: Reform
To: Former.
Let's hope it's a trend.
To: Former.
Let's hope it's a trend.
Reposted by Steve Gilbert
January 29, 2026 at 5:35 PM