Andrew
@openpolicy.bsky.social
I think and know about open government and freedom of information. All posts in a personal capacity, RTs ≠ endorsement.
Born at 323 ppm
Born at 323 ppm
Pinned
Andrew
@openpolicy.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Netanyahu was never interested in a #ceasefire.
It was always about ethnic cleansing, colonialism and genocide.
The west won’t act as he burns children alive.
It is the biggest moral failure of our time, and the failure to stop it hasn’t even done what the Democrats hoped - secure re-election.
It was always about ethnic cleansing, colonialism and genocide.
The west won’t act as he burns children alive.
It is the biggest moral failure of our time, and the failure to stop it hasn’t even done what the Democrats hoped - secure re-election.
Quite aside from anything else, it’s notable that Starmer’s former Director of Strategy singles out the #Aarhus Convention as a source of friction to attack.
The fact he doesn’t get that the Convention is a tool to build trust in democracy as much as to safeguard the environment is really telling.
The fact he doesn’t get that the Convention is a tool to build trust in democracy as much as to safeguard the environment is really telling.
Certainly not the first person to share this today. Think this observation is an important one
www.thetimes.com/article/3720...
www.thetimes.com/article/3720...
January 2, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Quite aside from anything else, it’s notable that Starmer’s former Director of Strategy singles out the #Aarhus Convention as a source of friction to attack.
The fact he doesn’t get that the Convention is a tool to build trust in democracy as much as to safeguard the environment is really telling.
The fact he doesn’t get that the Convention is a tool to build trust in democracy as much as to safeguard the environment is really telling.
Reposted by Andrew
Friction is very often a good thing. It can feel frustrating when you're a muscular interventionist who just wants to Get Things Done™️ but that doesn't mean it doesn't have an important role in enabling some anticipatory governance measures and, frankly, stopping people from doing stupid things
January 2, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Friction is very often a good thing. It can feel frustrating when you're a muscular interventionist who just wants to Get Things Done™️ but that doesn't mean it doesn't have an important role in enabling some anticipatory governance measures and, frankly, stopping people from doing stupid things
Reposted by Andrew
"Progress" is an interesting thing: it is not simply one group of people doing what they want to do at the expense of all others (whether that group's figurehead is Morgan McSweeney or Elon Musk or Sam Altman) and it definitely also relies on good governance, which often feels a lot like friction
January 2, 2026 at 8:11 AM
"Progress" is an interesting thing: it is not simply one group of people doing what they want to do at the expense of all others (whether that group's figurehead is Morgan McSweeney or Elon Musk or Sam Altman) and it definitely also relies on good governance, which often feels a lot like friction
Reposted by Andrew
That is going to be exceptionally hard and the temptation is either to pretend the US realignment isn’t happening or to wait and hope it course corrects. This would be a serious mistake.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
That is going to be exceptionally hard and the temptation is either to pretend the US realignment isn’t happening or to wait and hope it course corrects. This would be a serious mistake.
Reposted by Andrew
Europe and Canada need to move carefully to avoid creating further dangers, but they need to decouple from the US in areas like defence planning, intelligence sharing, and defence procurement.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Europe and Canada need to move carefully to avoid creating further dangers, but they need to decouple from the US in areas like defence planning, intelligence sharing, and defence procurement.
Reposted by Andrew
anti-corruption efforts are much more likely to succeed when there’s actual implementation / enforcement
this is an example of implementation: day one rejection of likely corrupt acts
this is an example of implementation: day one rejection of likely corrupt acts
I was wondering what Mamdani's first executive order would be, and I'm not disappointed by this.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
He has wiped off the books EVERY Eric Adams executive order issued on or after September 26, 2024, the day Adams was indicted on federal bribery charges.
January 2, 2026 at 12:01 AM
anti-corruption efforts are much more likely to succeed when there’s actual implementation / enforcement
this is an example of implementation: day one rejection of likely corrupt acts
this is an example of implementation: day one rejection of likely corrupt acts
Reposted by Andrew
In 2025 and 2024 Israel’s air force and army chiefs were given special immunity by Keir Starmer’s government to visit Britain, to protect them from possible prosecution for war crimes.
www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-air-...
www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-air-...
Israeli air force chief given special immunity to visit Britain
Exclusive: Israeli air force commander Tomer Bar received a “special mission” certificate for his secret trip to the UK, protecting him from arrest for war crimes.
www.declassifieduk.org
January 1, 2026 at 9:10 AM
In 2025 and 2024 Israel’s air force and army chiefs were given special immunity by Keir Starmer’s government to visit Britain, to protect them from possible prosecution for war crimes.
www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-air-...
www.declassifieduk.org/israeli-air-...
Reposted by Andrew
“Holding anyone without conviction for over a year without trial, under highly restrictive conditions, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The prisoners all have, as would be expected in a fair justice system, a right to bail and a fair trial.” Totally agree!
The rights and health of UK hunger strikers must be protected to prevent avoidable tragedy - Rita Issa in the BMJ doi.org/10.1136/bmj....
The rights and health of UK hunger strikers must be protected to prevent avoidable tragedy
The government must remove the punitive remand conditions for protesters, writes Rita Issa
Eight young people have recently been on hunger strike in UK prisons. This is the largest coordinated hunge...
doi.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:21 AM
“Holding anyone without conviction for over a year without trial, under highly restrictive conditions, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The prisoners all have, as would be expected in a fair justice system, a right to bail and a fair trial.” Totally agree!
Police doing breath tests on Newlands Road on 1 January seem unlikely to catch many drunk drivers, but using a quiet day to boost their numbers for NZTA funding seems logical.
January 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Police doing breath tests on Newlands Road on 1 January seem unlikely to catch many drunk drivers, but using a quiet day to boost their numbers for NZTA funding seems logical.
Reposted by Andrew
Nine Jewish groups have written to Albanese Government calling on it to reject Segal’s “Antisemitism” plan that “risks undermining democratic and multicultural values”, by “conflating antisemitism” with “criticisms of the policies or actions of the State of Israel”. theklaxon.com.au/segal-threat...
Segal “threatening Australia’s freedoms and democracy”, Jewish groups warn - The Klaxon
Nine Jewish organisations have labelled Envoy Jillian Segal's "Antisemitism Report" an attack on Australia's “democracy” and “freedoms”, and say it must be rejected.
theklaxon.com.au
December 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Nine Jewish groups have written to Albanese Government calling on it to reject Segal’s “Antisemitism” plan that “risks undermining democratic and multicultural values”, by “conflating antisemitism” with “criticisms of the policies or actions of the State of Israel”. theklaxon.com.au/segal-threat...
Watching Zohran Mamdani being sworn in as Mayor of NYC is a good way to begin 2026.
May it bring many more changes in office-holders around the world.
May it bring many more changes in office-holders around the world.
lol they got a live mic on Zohran already www.youtube.com/live/zj4hZVx...
LIVE: Zohran Mamdani swearing-in ceremony for New York City mayor
YouTube video by Associated Press
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Watching Zohran Mamdani being sworn in as Mayor of NYC is a good way to begin 2026.
May it bring many more changes in office-holders around the world.
May it bring many more changes in office-holders around the world.
Reposted by Andrew
In security, experts who know anything about an incident can't talk about it, and the people who can talk about an incident don't know anything about it.
January 1, 2026 at 5:38 AM
In security, experts who know anything about an incident can't talk about it, and the people who can talk about an incident don't know anything about it.
Reposted by Andrew
Our government welcomes IDF soldiers coming here to take a break from carrying out their genocide
#NZPol
www.psna.nz/press-releas...
#NZPol
www.psna.nz/press-releas...
Israeli Genocide Holiday Season in NZ Peaking Now — PSNA
Our summer is the main time for Israelis to visit New Zealand, and PSNA is warning that many soldiers who have been serving in the IDF genocide in Gaza will be among them. Palestine Solidarity Networ...
www.psna.nz
January 1, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Our government welcomes IDF soldiers coming here to take a break from carrying out their genocide
#NZPol
www.psna.nz/press-releas...
#NZPol
www.psna.nz/press-releas...
Reposted by Andrew
Jewish advocacy for a one-state solution represents a form of Zionism that centers Jews in Palestine's future. Instead, anti-Zionist Jews must aim to accelerate the dismantling of Zionism both in Palestine and worldwide.
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/the-...
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/the-...
The problem with Jewish advocacy for a ‘one-state solution’: Clarifying the role of Jewish anti-Zionists in dismantling Zionism
Jewish advocacy for a one-state solution represents a form of Zionism that centers Jews in Palestine’s future. Instead, anti-Zionist Jews must aim to accelerate the dismantling of Zionism both in…
mondoweiss.net
January 1, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Jewish advocacy for a one-state solution represents a form of Zionism that centers Jews in Palestine's future. Instead, anti-Zionist Jews must aim to accelerate the dismantling of Zionism both in Palestine and worldwide.
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/the-...
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Andrew
NZ's weak Privacy Act doesn't provide much incentive to move faster, but of course there's reputation issues too www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gps-worri...
GPs worried by lack of information on ManageMyHealth data breach
GP leaders say they learned of the possible breach only through the media.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 1, 2026 at 4:21 AM
NZ's weak Privacy Act doesn't provide much incentive to move faster, but of course there's reputation issues too www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gps-worri...
Reposted by Andrew
If you speak to anyone in cybersecurity they all know the health sector is terrible. We need proper rules and requirements to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
December 31, 2025 at 8:08 PM
If you speak to anyone in cybersecurity they all know the health sector is terrible. We need proper rules and requirements to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Reposted by Andrew
MTV shuts down music channels that started in 1991. BBC radio, which started in 1922, is still broadcasting
December 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
MTV shuts down music channels that started in 1991. BBC radio, which started in 1922, is still broadcasting
Reposted by Andrew
What happens next?
Forget anything ever happened anywhere in the past centuries: nothing can even compare
Thousands of January records will be smashed by up to 8C margins in virtually every African country from Algeria to South Africa
Millions of km2 will break records for weeks
Forget anything ever happened anywhere in the past centuries: nothing can even compare
Thousands of January records will be smashed by up to 8C margins in virtually every African country from Algeria to South Africa
Millions of km2 will break records for weeks
December 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
What happens next?
Forget anything ever happened anywhere in the past centuries: nothing can even compare
Thousands of January records will be smashed by up to 8C margins in virtually every African country from Algeria to South Africa
Millions of km2 will break records for weeks
Forget anything ever happened anywhere in the past centuries: nothing can even compare
Thousands of January records will be smashed by up to 8C margins in virtually every African country from Algeria to South Africa
Millions of km2 will break records for weeks
Reposted by Andrew
THIS. Did you know sickle cell is curable, now? FULLY curable.
If you're feeling down or despairing about what FEELS like technology/advancement/science "standing still" or being fully malicious, I have great news: You're not paying attention to actual science. Just tech industry marketing.
If you're feeling down or despairing about what FEELS like technology/advancement/science "standing still" or being fully malicious, I have great news: You're not paying attention to actual science. Just tech industry marketing.
meanwhile.... medicine has taken INSANE leaps and bounds in the last 2 years.
we're out here curing HIV and leukemia and creating 100% efficacy vaccines against all sorts of cancers, and now this??
between this and renewable energy outstripping fossil fuels in efficiency, the future is bright
we're out here curing HIV and leukemia and creating 100% efficacy vaccines against all sorts of cancers, and now this??
between this and renewable energy outstripping fossil fuels in efficiency, the future is bright
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
December 31, 2025 at 3:44 AM
THIS. Did you know sickle cell is curable, now? FULLY curable.
If you're feeling down or despairing about what FEELS like technology/advancement/science "standing still" or being fully malicious, I have great news: You're not paying attention to actual science. Just tech industry marketing.
If you're feeling down or despairing about what FEELS like technology/advancement/science "standing still" or being fully malicious, I have great news: You're not paying attention to actual science. Just tech industry marketing.
Reposted by Andrew
This is a super-huge issue in news writing, which almost always gets flagged as AI. News stories are formulaic by design and often have the same cadence and language.
Out of curiosity, I just ran a few paragraphs from The Butchering Art through an AI checker and it got flagged: 88% AI. This book was released in 2017, and AI machines were subsequently trained off it. How many writers are getting flagged for AI because of the literal theft of their work(s)? Insane.
OMG - f*ck AI for ruining the em-dash for writers. I use them all the time. Of course, what a shock that AI uses them since they were trained off my voice and other authors' voices.
December 31, 2025 at 9:49 AM
This is a super-huge issue in news writing, which almost always gets flagged as AI. News stories are formulaic by design and often have the same cadence and language.
Reposted by Andrew
When people say NYE is always an anti-climax, they are clearly not referring to having dinner inside the Crystal Palace iguanodon, which is obvs the best thing ever
Well, if it’s 31 December, it’s... yes, of course: 172nd anniversary of the dinner Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, creator of the Crystal Palace dinosaurs, gave for 21 leading academics and other VIPs inside the Iguanodon
December 31, 2025 at 9:50 AM
When people say NYE is always an anti-climax, they are clearly not referring to having dinner inside the Crystal Palace iguanodon, which is obvs the best thing ever
Reposted by Andrew
The sheer hypocrisy of the same people wanting this man stripped of his citizenship over offensive tweets from a decade ago while arguing that Farage's school racism was "youthful exuberance".
Calls to strip pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah of his British citizenship pile torment on top of torture.
New piece by me on a dangerous and manufactured storm:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
New piece by me on a dangerous and manufactured storm:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s tweets were wrong, but he is no ‘anti-white Islamist’. Why does the British right want you to believe he is? | Naomi Klein
I have no interest in defending his social media posts, but calls to strip the newly freed activist of British citizenship pile torment on top of torture, says Naomi Klein, Guardian US columnist and c...
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The sheer hypocrisy of the same people wanting this man stripped of his citizenship over offensive tweets from a decade ago while arguing that Farage's school racism was "youthful exuberance".
Reposted by Andrew
Cambridge morning…
December 31, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Cambridge morning…
Reposted by Andrew
One particularly jaw-dropping attachment in the sample set is a Molemap patient record containing two photos: The naked top and underwear-covered bottom of a map
All of these attachments have varying information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, NHI numbers, email addresses and more
All of these attachments have varying information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, NHI numbers, email addresses and more
December 31, 2025 at 4:34 AM
One particularly jaw-dropping attachment in the sample set is a Molemap patient record containing two photos: The naked top and underwear-covered bottom of a map
All of these attachments have varying information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, NHI numbers, email addresses and more
All of these attachments have varying information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, NHI numbers, email addresses and more