@profmalmurfett.bsky.social
I'm a contemporary historian & love teaching students at the university. It's a fantastic job. In my spare time I try to remain as active as possible & love all sports but draw the line at synchronised swimming!
What on earth is the CDC playing at by appointing a vaccine skeptic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham as its second in command? He was utterly incompetent during COVID & hasn't improved since. I feel sorry for those living in the US with the current toxic Trump regime in place. US, alas, now stands for Unsafe
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
What on earth is the CDC playing at by appointing a vaccine skeptic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham as its second in command? He was utterly incompetent during COVID & hasn't improved since. I feel sorry for those living in the US with the current toxic Trump regime in place. US, alas, now stands for Unsafe
One of the great TV series of all time was called 'The Ascent of Man', a 13-part presentation by Dr. Jacob Bronowski. I have just re-read the book that accompanied the BBC series back in 1973. I enjoyed it half a century ago & it remains a timeless classic even now. It would make a superb present...
November 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
One of the great TV series of all time was called 'The Ascent of Man', a 13-part presentation by Dr. Jacob Bronowski. I have just re-read the book that accompanied the BBC series back in 1973. I enjoyed it half a century ago & it remains a timeless classic even now. It would make a superb present...
Russia shouldn't be allowed to win the war with Ukraine just because the impatient dealmaker-in-chief Trump needs a foreign policy success to bolster his claims for a Nobel Peace Prize. If the US won't stand up against Putin, Europe must do so, otherwise we're conceding that might is right. It isn't
November 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Russia shouldn't be allowed to win the war with Ukraine just because the impatient dealmaker-in-chief Trump needs a foreign policy success to bolster his claims for a Nobel Peace Prize. If the US won't stand up against Putin, Europe must do so, otherwise we're conceding that might is right. It isn't
Just been listening to an outstanding address on 'Britain in a Changing World' by Sir John Major at the LSE. I never rated him as a prime minister but like Gordon Brown he has become far more impressive out of office rather than in it. His views on the wretchedness of populism were superbly drawn
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Just been listening to an outstanding address on 'Britain in a Changing World' by Sir John Major at the LSE. I never rated him as a prime minister but like Gordon Brown he has become far more impressive out of office rather than in it. His views on the wretchedness of populism were superbly drawn
Appeasing Trump isn't the way to stop him from abusing his power. Bullies - and he is as big as they get - see weakness as inviting aggression. They see soft pedalling from opponents as a pathetic attitude they can exploit. Trying to be nice & cooperative just increases a bully's vindictiveness
November 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Appeasing Trump isn't the way to stop him from abusing his power. Bullies - and he is as big as they get - see weakness as inviting aggression. They see soft pedalling from opponents as a pathetic attitude they can exploit. Trying to be nice & cooperative just increases a bully's vindictiveness
Like millions of others apparently I've been watching the BBC TV series of Celebrity Traitors set in the Highlands of Scotland. I didn't imagine at the outset that I would get hooked on it but I did. Amazingly for such a talented bunch, the Faithful were utterly inept! Only Joe Marler saved the day!
November 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Like millions of others apparently I've been watching the BBC TV series of Celebrity Traitors set in the Highlands of Scotland. I didn't imagine at the outset that I would get hooked on it but I did. Amazingly for such a talented bunch, the Faithful were utterly inept! Only Joe Marler saved the day!
I know that Stansted Airport & Ryanair get a lot of flak from travellers but I honestly think both have upped their game considerably in recent years. At one time I avoided both in favour of Gatwick & BA. Not any longer...
November 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I know that Stansted Airport & Ryanair get a lot of flak from travellers but I honestly think both have upped their game considerably in recent years. At one time I avoided both in favour of Gatwick & BA. Not any longer...
So glad that there was a massive turnout against Trump at the 'No Kings' protests across the US yesterday. Potus was furious & his responses to the millions who walked in parades against him was as crude, absurd & degrading as one might expect from an exceptionally unsavoury individual & his minions
October 19, 2025 at 8:33 PM
So glad that there was a massive turnout against Trump at the 'No Kings' protests across the US yesterday. Potus was furious & his responses to the millions who walked in parades against him was as crude, absurd & degrading as one might expect from an exceptionally unsavoury individual & his minions
If you want to hear a superb podcast on War, check out Prof William Hurst's new series Explorations on War from the Centre of Geopolitics at Cambridge University. Episode 1 is excellent ranging from Greek mythology to the present day & shows the multifaceted & changing nature of war through the ages
October 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
If you want to hear a superb podcast on War, check out Prof William Hurst's new series Explorations on War from the Centre of Geopolitics at Cambridge University. Episode 1 is excellent ranging from Greek mythology to the present day & shows the multifaceted & changing nature of war through the ages
One of the most delightful things about being in the academic world is coming across young scholars who have real talent. We are so fortunate to have such enthusiastic & committed individuals in our Department of War Studies at King's College. Our students benefit greatly from being taught by them.
October 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
One of the most delightful things about being in the academic world is coming across young scholars who have real talent. We are so fortunate to have such enthusiastic & committed individuals in our Department of War Studies at King's College. Our students benefit greatly from being taught by them.
Pete Hegseth is not only a very unpleasant individual but also a tool & a blunt one at that. He's part of an administration that is full of incompetent & talentless people & led by a geriatric who is losing it big time. Where on earth does Trump find these assorted misfits? Bethpage Black?
October 1, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Pete Hegseth is not only a very unpleasant individual but also a tool & a blunt one at that. He's part of an administration that is full of incompetent & talentless people & led by a geriatric who is losing it big time. Where on earth does Trump find these assorted misfits? Bethpage Black?
At last Starmer has begun to attack both Farage & Reform. For once he has come across as a leader. Labour needed direction & a message of hope that could go out to the British electorate. We aren't gutless in the UK & we need to face the challenges that have arisen & overcome them. Let's be positive
October 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM
At last Starmer has begun to attack both Farage & Reform. For once he has come across as a leader. Labour needed direction & a message of hope that could go out to the British electorate. We aren't gutless in the UK & we need to face the challenges that have arisen & overcome them. Let's be positive
For dramatic excitement & incredible nail biting viewing, the last day of the Ryder Cup was almost indescribable. Incredible golf was played under absolutely gut wrenching, adrenaline pumping circumstances. I had a sense it might be close but not that close. Fantastic entertainment. What a result!
September 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
For dramatic excitement & incredible nail biting viewing, the last day of the Ryder Cup was almost indescribable. Incredible golf was played under absolutely gut wrenching, adrenaline pumping circumstances. I had a sense it might be close but not that close. Fantastic entertainment. What a result!
Every day, seemingly, the news out of the US gets more bizarre & unfortunate. On multiple levels this administration is remarkably turbulent & unforgiving. How can anyone be against science, medicine & education in the way that it is? It almost defies belief. MAGA won't happen with these policies.
September 23, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Every day, seemingly, the news out of the US gets more bizarre & unfortunate. On multiple levels this administration is remarkably turbulent & unforgiving. How can anyone be against science, medicine & education in the way that it is? It almost defies belief. MAGA won't happen with these policies.
Keir Starmer, alas, is an accident waiting to happen. I don't see him ever being able to make himself relatable to others & isn't a patch on those who are natural communicators even if they are despicable. Labour & the UK needs Andy Burnham. I hope we get him. He'd present a real challenge to Reform
September 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Keir Starmer, alas, is an accident waiting to happen. I don't see him ever being able to make himself relatable to others & isn't a patch on those who are natural communicators even if they are despicable. Labour & the UK needs Andy Burnham. I hope we get him. He'd present a real challenge to Reform
Unfortunately the more one reads of the disastrous policy of abandonment in Medicine at the US Department of Health under Kennedy, the more one can only shake one's head in bemusement. So much that this man has done is wrong & his benighted policies will have long term effects on US health provision
September 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Unfortunately the more one reads of the disastrous policy of abandonment in Medicine at the US Department of Health under Kennedy, the more one can only shake one's head in bemusement. So much that this man has done is wrong & his benighted policies will have long term effects on US health provision
Easy to imagine the frustration building up in 10 Downing Street as the Labour government comes under the cosh yet again. Once more, it's self inflicted. Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington was always a risk since he carries significant personal baggage despite his abilities
September 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Easy to imagine the frustration building up in 10 Downing Street as the Labour government comes under the cosh yet again. Once more, it's self inflicted. Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington was always a risk since he carries significant personal baggage despite his abilities
I'm amazed at the productivity of those who record their scholarly views on Substack. Where do you all find the time, energy & commitment to do these regular & incisive reports? It's staggering! I'm also delighted with The Siren since it never ceases to take down Trump & his shoddy cabal. What joy!
September 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I'm amazed at the productivity of those who record their scholarly views on Substack. Where do you all find the time, energy & commitment to do these regular & incisive reports? It's staggering! I'm also delighted with The Siren since it never ceases to take down Trump & his shoddy cabal. What joy!
One of the best stories of this troubled year happened at East Lake on Sunday when Tommy Fleetwood won the Tour Championship & FedEx Cup for his first victory on the PGA golf tour on his 164th attempt. Genuinely popular, he's seen victory snatched away from him so often in his career. Not this time!
August 26, 2025 at 7:48 AM
One of the best stories of this troubled year happened at East Lake on Sunday when Tommy Fleetwood won the Tour Championship & FedEx Cup for his first victory on the PGA golf tour on his 164th attempt. Genuinely popular, he's seen victory snatched away from him so often in his career. Not this time!
Today is when the GCSE results came out for those UK teenagers who took them in May/June. Many will have done well & will be thrilled with their grades. Others, alas, despite working hard & revising steadily, won't have secured the grades they want. I always feel sad for those who are disappointed.
August 21, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Today is when the GCSE results came out for those UK teenagers who took them in May/June. Many will have done well & will be thrilled with their grades. Others, alas, despite working hard & revising steadily, won't have secured the grades they want. I always feel sad for those who are disappointed.
A daily joy of mine is reading the latest attack on Trump's wild economic policies by Paul Krugman, the Nobel Prize winner for Econs. Krugman has forgotten more economics than Trump & his cohort have ever known. Trump's often out of his depth when it comes to the interface of Econs theory & practice
August 15, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A daily joy of mine is reading the latest attack on Trump's wild economic policies by Paul Krugman, the Nobel Prize winner for Econs. Krugman has forgotten more economics than Trump & his cohort have ever known. Trump's often out of his depth when it comes to the interface of Econs theory & practice
I've just been listening to a fascinating podcast on Jensen Huang & his Nvidia company. Check out The Guardian's,Today in Focus,'The secrets of the world's richest company' with Tae Kim & Helen Pidd. It's a story that deserves to be listened to. Jensen Huang is a brilliant CEO - one of the best ever
August 13, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I've just been listening to a fascinating podcast on Jensen Huang & his Nvidia company. Check out The Guardian's,Today in Focus,'The secrets of the world's richest company' with Tae Kim & Helen Pidd. It's a story that deserves to be listened to. Jensen Huang is a brilliant CEO - one of the best ever
Away from Trump for once, today I want to look at public opinion as expressed in inane text messages about players or coaches sent to the TV channels covering any sporting event. Why some of these moronic comments ever get to see the light of day is beyond me unless it's to infuriate the rest of us
August 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Away from Trump for once, today I want to look at public opinion as expressed in inane text messages about players or coaches sent to the TV channels covering any sporting event. Why some of these moronic comments ever get to see the light of day is beyond me unless it's to infuriate the rest of us
Trump's dystopian universe has become a perilous nightmare for those who believe in democracy, equity, commonsense, decency & the rule of law. A vindictive Trump acts as if he is above the law & his MAGA base crassly endorses his preposterous claim. So where is American soft power now? In the gutter
August 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Trump's dystopian universe has become a perilous nightmare for those who believe in democracy, equity, commonsense, decency & the rule of law. A vindictive Trump acts as if he is above the law & his MAGA base crassly endorses his preposterous claim. So where is American soft power now? In the gutter
I pity those who are trying to go down south to Italy, Slovenia & Croatia through Austria by car today. There are massive queues in several.places on the autobahns & as such it's likely to be nightmarish for both parents & kids. Patience is a virtue & much needed today because anger rises so easily
August 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I pity those who are trying to go down south to Italy, Slovenia & Croatia through Austria by car today. There are massive queues in several.places on the autobahns & as such it's likely to be nightmarish for both parents & kids. Patience is a virtue & much needed today because anger rises so easily