Stephen Drennan
@stephen1958.bsky.social
From Norn Irn. Happy with complex national identity, unhappy with Brexit
Engineering degree, Development, Product Management & 12 yrs as MD.
Also BA & MA History, just because: decolonisation in Africa, nationalism, Ireland/UK
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
I wrote this almost 11 years ago theweek.com/articles/444...
January 10, 2026 at 2:14 AM
I wrote this almost 11 years ago theweek.com/articles/444...
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
“I urge UK settled residents, and citizens in particular, to respond thoughtfully to the government’s consultation survey … We are teaching your children, caring for your relatives, ensuring clean hospitals, providing medical care, bringing world-class research to your universities, and more.”
Visas leave migrants anything but settled | Letters
Letters: Rev Dr Rebekah E Sims urges Britons to respond to the government consultation on ‘earned settlement’ in support of workers like her, while another reader describes prolonged years of uncertai...
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
“I urge UK settled residents, and citizens in particular, to respond thoughtfully to the government’s consultation survey … We are teaching your children, caring for your relatives, ensuring clean hospitals, providing medical care, bringing world-class research to your universities, and more.”
Watching the story of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood BBC ‘ban‘ and remember this is how come we have the 12” single of ‘Relax’.
January 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Watching the story of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood BBC ‘ban‘ and remember this is how come we have the 12” single of ‘Relax’.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
One reason I feel like I'm going mad is, even if Musk did immediately halt Grok and issue a grovelling apology - rather than PAYWALLING IT - he should *still* be prosecuted and his website banned. Very obviously! You don't get out of CSAM charges by just stopping. AND HE STILL HASN'T STOPPED.
Now only paying subscribers can make violent non-consenual sexual imagery of women and children -
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery
X to limit editing function to paying subscribers after platform threatened with fines and regulatory action
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:46 AM
One reason I feel like I'm going mad is, even if Musk did immediately halt Grok and issue a grovelling apology - rather than PAYWALLING IT - he should *still* be prosecuted and his website banned. Very obviously! You don't get out of CSAM charges by just stopping. AND HE STILL HASN'T STOPPED.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
Eugenics
January 8, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Eugenics
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
One of the international organisations Trump is withdrawing the US from. Putin probably sent a fruit basket.
Full list www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Full list www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
January 8, 2026 at 7:41 PM
One of the international organisations Trump is withdrawing the US from. Putin probably sent a fruit basket.
Full list www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Full list www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
JD Vance is as evil as it gets.
Pure evil.
He is using the language and lies murderous dictators have used throughout history to justify their actions.
Pure evil.
He is using the language and lies murderous dictators have used throughout history to justify their actions.
January 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
JD Vance is as evil as it gets.
Pure evil.
He is using the language and lies murderous dictators have used throughout history to justify their actions.
Pure evil.
He is using the language and lies murderous dictators have used throughout history to justify their actions.
For any of you Yanks who aren’t hiding in attics from your Geheime StaatspolizeICE by March.
Happening this spring! On March 14th, authors @fotoole.bsky.social and @sjamcbride.bsky.social will discuss FOR AND AGAINST A UNITED IRELAND at the Irish Arts Center in #NewYork. Their #NewBook presents the case for and against #Irish #Unification.
Order your tickets at: production.irisharts...
Order your tickets at: production.irisharts...
January 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM
For any of you Yanks who aren’t hiding in attics from your Geheime StaatspolizeICE by March.
Reposted by Stephen Drennan
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
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