Stephen Drennan
@stephen1958.bsky.social
From Norn Irn. Happy with complex national identity, unhappy with Brexit
FIFA History Prize 2025
Engineering degree, Development, Product Management & 12 yrs as MD.
Also BA & MA History, just because: decolonisation in Africa, nationalism, Ireland/UK
FIFA History Prize 2025
Engineering degree, Development, Product Management & 12 yrs as MD.
Also BA & MA History, just because: decolonisation in Africa, nationalism, Ireland/UK
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Non-American soldiers who died fighting to defend the United States after the only invocation of NATO’s Article 5 in history:
🇬🇧 457 🇨🇦 158 🇫🇷 90 🇩🇪 62 🇮🇹 53 🇵🇱 44 🇩🇰 43 🇪🇸 35 🇷🇴 27 🇳🇱 25 🇨🇿 14 🇳🇴 10 🇪🇪 9 🇭🇺 7 🇸🇪 5 🇱🇻 4 🇸🇰 3 🇫🇮 2 🇵🇹 2 🇦🇱 2 🇧🇪 1 🇧🇬 1 🇭🇷 1 🇱🇹 1 🇲🇪 1
🇬🇧 457 🇨🇦 158 🇫🇷 90 🇩🇪 62 🇮🇹 53 🇵🇱 44 🇩🇰 43 🇪🇸 35 🇷🇴 27 🇳🇱 25 🇨🇿 14 🇳🇴 10 🇪🇪 9 🇭🇺 7 🇸🇪 5 🇱🇻 4 🇸🇰 3 🇫🇮 2 🇵🇹 2 🇦🇱 2 🇧🇪 1 🇧🇬 1 🇭🇷 1 🇱🇹 1 🇲🇪 1
January 7, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Non-American soldiers who died fighting to defend the United States after the only invocation of NATO’s Article 5 in history:
🇬🇧 457 🇨🇦 158 🇫🇷 90 🇩🇪 62 🇮🇹 53 🇵🇱 44 🇩🇰 43 🇪🇸 35 🇷🇴 27 🇳🇱 25 🇨🇿 14 🇳🇴 10 🇪🇪 9 🇭🇺 7 🇸🇪 5 🇱🇻 4 🇸🇰 3 🇫🇮 2 🇵🇹 2 🇦🇱 2 🇧🇪 1 🇧🇬 1 🇭🇷 1 🇱🇹 1 🇲🇪 1
🇬🇧 457 🇨🇦 158 🇫🇷 90 🇩🇪 62 🇮🇹 53 🇵🇱 44 🇩🇰 43 🇪🇸 35 🇷🇴 27 🇳🇱 25 🇨🇿 14 🇳🇴 10 🇪🇪 9 🇭🇺 7 🇸🇪 5 🇱🇻 4 🇸🇰 3 🇫🇮 2 🇵🇹 2 🇦🇱 2 🇧🇪 1 🇧🇬 1 🇭🇷 1 🇱🇹 1 🇲🇪 1
Wondering to what extent this is a graph of aggressive macho male culture (plus some road-design influence)?
But Europe is different. The EU’s per capita crash death rate is less than half the US rate. With great transit, many pedestrianized zones, and slow streets, European cities are particularly safe.
There’s a low ceiling on any safety upside that robotaxis offer.
www.itf-oecd.org/sites/defaul...
There’s a low ceiling on any safety upside that robotaxis offer.
www.itf-oecd.org/sites/defaul...
January 7, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Wondering to what extent this is a graph of aggressive macho male culture (plus some road-design influence)?
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
January 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Most of the London-crime chat is just code for racism. They don't really mean that an area is dangerous. They mean that it contains black people/Muslims and want to insinuate that this entails danger.
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Most of the London-crime chat is just code for racism. They don't really mean that an area is dangerous. They mean that it contains black people/Muslims and want to insinuate that this entails danger.
Very interesting piece that shows how we do need some experts & some managers to work on sorting out our 🇬🇧 public services issues.
www.ft.com/content/c5a7...
www.ft.com/content/c5a7...
How British queues got out of hand
We were a nation that didn’t mind waiting in line. But this is ridiculous
www.ft.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Very interesting piece that shows how we do need some experts & some managers to work on sorting out our 🇬🇧 public services issues.
www.ft.com/content/c5a7...
www.ft.com/content/c5a7...
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
"The report concluded that it remained unclear whether or not US intelligence would be able to access the data, despite Palantir’s official reassurances otherwise. The 🇨🇭army also found other issues, in terms of its cost & the fact that it might require Palantir specialists to be permanently onsite"
MPs question UK Palantir contracts after investigation reveals security concerns
Journalists find Swiss government rejected company over fears US intelligence might gain access to sensitive data
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
"The report concluded that it remained unclear whether or not US intelligence would be able to access the data, despite Palantir’s official reassurances otherwise. The 🇨🇭army also found other issues, in terms of its cost & the fact that it might require Palantir specialists to be permanently onsite"
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Comparison of tweets from comrade
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on Ukraine & Venezuela.
-Russia "enters", USA makes "illegal attack"
-Russia actions excused cos of NATO. USA accused of wanting oil
-Russia created a "crisis" & offered diplomacy. USA "should be condemned by everyone"
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on Ukraine & Venezuela.
-Russia "enters", USA makes "illegal attack"
-Russia actions excused cos of NATO. USA accused of wanting oil
-Russia created a "crisis" & offered diplomacy. USA "should be condemned by everyone"
January 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Comparison of tweets from comrade
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on Ukraine & Venezuela.
-Russia "enters", USA makes "illegal attack"
-Russia actions excused cos of NATO. USA accused of wanting oil
-Russia created a "crisis" & offered diplomacy. USA "should be condemned by everyone"
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on Ukraine & Venezuela.
-Russia "enters", USA makes "illegal attack"
-Russia actions excused cos of NATO. USA accused of wanting oil
-Russia created a "crisis" & offered diplomacy. USA "should be condemned by everyone"
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
English speaking newspapers don’t seem to have picked up on Trump administration threats of sanctions against judges in current appeals case involving Marine LePen’s indictment regarding European Parliament fund embezzling which could cost her the right to run for president next year.
Affaire des assistants parlementaires du FN : le président du tribunal de Paris met en garde contre une éventuelle « ingérence » américaine avant le procès en appel
Affaire des assistants parlementaires du FN : le président du tribunal de Paris met en garde contre une éventuelle « ingérence » américaine avant le procès en appel
A partir du 13 janvier et jusqu’à la mi-février, la cheffe de file de l’extrême droite, Marine Le Pen, et onze autres prévenus vont être jugés par la cour d’appel de Paris, soupçonnés d’avoir détourné l’argent du Parlement européen au seul profit du parti.
www.lemonde.fr
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
English speaking newspapers don’t seem to have picked up on Trump administration threats of sanctions against judges in current appeals case involving Marine LePen’s indictment regarding European Parliament fund embezzling which could cost her the right to run for president next year.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
President Trump mocks Keir Starmer for paying £3 billion extra for drugs from the US
January 6, 2026 at 7:01 PM
President Trump mocks Keir Starmer for paying £3 billion extra for drugs from the US
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Just turned on the telly.
See that next on U&Yesterday is a story about a failed academic who channeled his resentment into hatred.
Josef Goebbels.
Anyway, what’s Matt Goodwin up to these days?
See that next on U&Yesterday is a story about a failed academic who channeled his resentment into hatred.
Josef Goebbels.
Anyway, what’s Matt Goodwin up to these days?
January 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Just turned on the telly.
See that next on U&Yesterday is a story about a failed academic who channeled his resentment into hatred.
Josef Goebbels.
Anyway, what’s Matt Goodwin up to these days?
See that next on U&Yesterday is a story about a failed academic who channeled his resentment into hatred.
Josef Goebbels.
Anyway, what’s Matt Goodwin up to these days?
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
The video in the thread redacts the images, mercifully. But you can see from the prompts what is happening. This is obscene, vicious and intolerable. X and Grok should be shut down until this grotesque harassment can be stopped. Those responsible should face the full force of the law.
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
The video in the thread redacts the images, mercifully. But you can see from the prompts what is happening. This is obscene, vicious and intolerable. X and Grok should be shut down until this grotesque harassment can be stopped. Those responsible should face the full force of the law.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Really disappointing that James OB on LBC is almost totally, if not entirely, ignoring the fact that the UK government is making a statement on Venezuela in the Commons this afternoon.
He keeps going on and on and on about how Starmer has said anything beyond his initial statement yesterday.
1/3
He keeps going on and on and on about how Starmer has said anything beyond his initial statement yesterday.
1/3
January 5, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Really disappointing that James OB on LBC is almost totally, if not entirely, ignoring the fact that the UK government is making a statement on Venezuela in the Commons this afternoon.
He keeps going on and on and on about how Starmer has said anything beyond his initial statement yesterday.
1/3
He keeps going on and on and on about how Starmer has said anything beyond his initial statement yesterday.
1/3
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
I know RUK ignores NI, but surely there should be more public horror and indignation about the fact that not 6 months ago part of the UK saw a pogrom that drove an ethnic group (the Roma) out of a sizeable town
Ballymena riots six months on: fear, formidable obstacles and official silence
Ballymena riots six months on: fear, formidable obstacles and official silence
After attacks on immigrants’ homes, groups patrol the streets to intimidate potential victims, who try to keep a low profile
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I know RUK ignores NI, but surely there should be more public horror and indignation about the fact that not 6 months ago part of the UK saw a pogrom that drove an ethnic group (the Roma) out of a sizeable town
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Seen a few comments that Trump’s abduction of Maduro opens the door to Putin doing the same, so once again reminding people that Putin already attempted to capture or kill Zelenskyy in the first days of his invasion of Ukraine.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Even aside from the fact that it very obviously didn’t happen for the reasons below, I think it’s also worth remembering that Putin sent a snatch/kill squad to get Zelenskyy during Russia’s 2022 invasion, prompting the US to offer Zel extraction.
He replied “I need ammunition, not a ride”
He replied “I need ammunition, not a ride”
PSA: The reason Ukraine isn't targetting Putin's residences with drones and missiles are that both are finite resources and:
a) It's not clear killing him would help;
b) The residences are heavily protected by air defense;
c) They include bunkers;
d) They are huge so you can hit and still miss.
a) It's not clear killing him would help;
b) The residences are heavily protected by air defense;
c) They include bunkers;
d) They are huge so you can hit and still miss.
January 4, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Seen a few comments that Trump’s abduction of Maduro opens the door to Putin doing the same, so once again reminding people that Putin already attempted to capture or kill Zelenskyy in the first days of his invasion of Ukraine.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Trump is emulating Putin, his role-model, because he admires him.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Your fact of the day:
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
Fowl Play: How US Chicken Imports will Pollute Britain's Poor
Since joining the EU British food has gone from bog-awful to top-notch, but Otto English reveals how a US Trade deal will unravel 40 years of progress.
bylinetimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Your fact of the day:
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
First rule of the Trump administration: Every accusation is a confession
January 3, 2026 at 6:50 PM
First rule of the Trump administration: Every accusation is a confession
I think a lot of truth in the source of these actions. Also in the banning windfarms and funding UK & EU wide disinformation.
Time to boycott Esso, folks.
Time to boycott Esso, folks.
"We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," Trump said
And by “we’re,” he means ExxonMobil and Chevron.
And by “we’re,” he means ExxonMobil and Chevron.
January 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I think a lot of truth in the source of these actions. Also in the banning windfarms and funding UK & EU wide disinformation.
Time to boycott Esso, folks.
Time to boycott Esso, folks.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
In what's now become an annual tradition, I've written another piece for The Gist about how and why I hate A.I.
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
Guest Gist: 2026, Our Already Rotting Future
Seamus O'Reilly warns of AI maximum bubbledrive this year.
www.thegist.ie
January 2, 2026 at 10:25 AM
In what's now become an annual tradition, I've written another piece for The Gist about how and why I hate A.I.
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
While it’s true that many of their online supporters are bots, this image is fake and the claim is false. There was no such GB News analysis.
It’s frustrating enough when the other side does it. Stop spreading fake news, even if it aligns with our views. We are better than that.
It’s frustrating enough when the other side does it. Stop spreading fake news, even if it aligns with our views. We are better than that.
From Geebeebies, no less.
If 90% of Deform UK's online support is Russian Bots, how about extrapolating that to online polling numbers?
If 90% of Deform UK's online support is Russian Bots, how about extrapolating that to online polling numbers?
January 1, 2026 at 11:39 AM
While it’s true that many of their online supporters are bots, this image is fake and the claim is false. There was no such GB News analysis.
It’s frustrating enough when the other side does it. Stop spreading fake news, even if it aligns with our views. We are better than that.
It’s frustrating enough when the other side does it. Stop spreading fake news, even if it aligns with our views. We are better than that.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Sorry but we literally debunked this like last month when he did this dog whistle. Fintan O'Toole literally did the maths, in the Times no less, that showed that this isn't true.
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Simon Harris claims ‘significant number’ in emergency accommodation ‘don’t have housing right’
Simon Harris claims ‘significant number’ in emergency accommodation ‘don’t have housing right’
Homeless executive chief rejects Tánaiste’s view, saying people who ‘can’t establish a right to housing ... are sent on their way’
www.irishtimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Sorry but we literally debunked this like last month when he did this dog whistle. Fintan O'Toole literally did the maths, in the Times no less, that showed that this isn't true.
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Excellent work, lads, but we still have 28% of Irish people using chatgpt, let's get that down to 0%
December 31, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Excellent work, lads, but we still have 28% of Irish people using chatgpt, let's get that down to 0%