Thomas Penny
@thomaswpenny.bsky.social
Writer, editor, bereaved single Dad, Quaker, allotmenteer and very amateur musician.
Lover of strangers.
Lover of strangers.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
DOJ briefly uploaded this letter from Jeff Epstein to serial child molester Larry Nassar:
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
December 23, 2025 at 6:03 AM
DOJ briefly uploaded this letter from Jeff Epstein to serial child molester Larry Nassar:
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Jo Cox was murdered before the vote by a far-right terrorist & this is the language this complete disgrace chooses to use
December 20, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Jo Cox was murdered before the vote by a far-right terrorist & this is the language this complete disgrace chooses to use
Reposted by Thomas Penny
On top: Trump’s signed copy of his book for Jeffrey Epstein
On bottom: Trump’s signed photo for Susie Wiles
On bottom: Trump’s signed photo for Susie Wiles
December 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
On top: Trump’s signed copy of his book for Jeffrey Epstein
On bottom: Trump’s signed photo for Susie Wiles
On bottom: Trump’s signed photo for Susie Wiles
Anyone with daughters at UK schools will know this is nonsense.
When Badenoch's own daughters get older, and if she listens to their experience, (and if she's capable of self-reflection) she'll be very embarrassed by this racist rubbish.
(Also, does she not realise that 11 year-old boys grow up?)
When Badenoch's own daughters get older, and if she listens to their experience, (and if she's capable of self-reflection) she'll be very embarrassed by this racist rubbish.
(Also, does she not realise that 11 year-old boys grow up?)
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Anyone with daughters at UK schools will know this is nonsense.
When Badenoch's own daughters get older, and if she listens to their experience, (and if she's capable of self-reflection) she'll be very embarrassed by this racist rubbish.
(Also, does she not realise that 11 year-old boys grow up?)
When Badenoch's own daughters get older, and if she listens to their experience, (and if she's capable of self-reflection) she'll be very embarrassed by this racist rubbish.
(Also, does she not realise that 11 year-old boys grow up?)
Reposted by Thomas Penny
A third of 16-18 year olds girls say in surveys that they experienced unwanted sexual touching at school. There are several hundred rapes reported in schools every year.
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A third of 16-18 year olds girls say in surveys that they experienced unwanted sexual touching at school. There are several hundred rapes reported in schools every year.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
The total pack of lies being put out everywhere about rejoining Erasmus would be laughable if they weren't so serious. Almost every 'fact' put out to make it seem poor value for money fake or twisted.
Are the Tories really going to major on hating... Erasmus? Have they all got better jobs to go to or something?
December 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The total pack of lies being put out everywhere about rejoining Erasmus would be laughable if they weren't so serious. Almost every 'fact' put out to make it seem poor value for money fake or twisted.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Imagine the fury from The Times if Just Stop Oil had caused "hours-long queues"...
I bet they would have found someone in the ski queue who was trying to get to their Mum in hospital.
I bet they would have found someone in the ski queue who was trying to get to their Mum in hospital.
Wow @thetimes.com, that’s impressive
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
December 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Imagine the fury from The Times if Just Stop Oil had caused "hours-long queues"...
I bet they would have found someone in the ski queue who was trying to get to their Mum in hospital.
I bet they would have found someone in the ski queue who was trying to get to their Mum in hospital.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Wow @thetimes.com, that’s impressive
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
December 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Wow @thetimes.com, that’s impressive
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
An entire article about “freak heat” in the Dolomites causing mayhem amongst skiers without once mentioning climate change…🤷🏼♀️
🧵
1/5
I'm sure I've seen this as a recipe in the Guardian's "Feast" supplement.
I do kitchen work, assisting chefs. There was a function on. I sent out a load of dinners with chocolate sauce on instead of gravy. I hid for 10 minutes. There was murder. I never did own up.
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I'm sure I've seen this as a recipe in the Guardian's "Feast" supplement.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It might be that Birmingham have been uniquely foolish in their handling of this situation, but it's worth noting that management failing to take overwork, stress and burnout seriously is a sector-wide problem, and only getting worse as universities slash staff costs.
Oh hey it finally made the media, only a week after the letter was actually sent.
FWIW despite being legally obliged to share with all staff, he so far hasn't.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/birming...
FWIW despite being legally obliged to share with all staff, he so far hasn't.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/birming...
Birmingham reprimanded over its management of work-related stress
Investigation by Health and Safety Executive found institution ‘does not have appropriate arrangements in place’ to manage burnout among staff
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:19 AM
It might be that Birmingham have been uniquely foolish in their handling of this situation, but it's worth noting that management failing to take overwork, stress and burnout seriously is a sector-wide problem, and only getting worse as universities slash staff costs.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
If a Treasury under the leadership of a Chancellor of the Exchequer representing a Leeds constituency cannot bother funding a long-desired and long-planned light rail network for Leeds, it's never going to be funded.
I look forward to celebrating the opening of the Leeds Supertram on my death bed. Maybe. #ThePolitics
December 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
If a Treasury under the leadership of a Chancellor of the Exchequer representing a Leeds constituency cannot bother funding a long-desired and long-planned light rail network for Leeds, it's never going to be funded.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
I’m in the process of writing a book chapter about the regulation of misinformation. One key part is the understanding that it’s not just about malicious trolls and hidden botnets: it’s about our ‘traditional’ media and our ‘mainstream’ politicians.
Today’s example.
Today’s example.
December 18, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I’m in the process of writing a book chapter about the regulation of misinformation. One key part is the understanding that it’s not just about malicious trolls and hidden botnets: it’s about our ‘traditional’ media and our ‘mainstream’ politicians.
Today’s example.
Today’s example.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
I was given the theme 'lighting the darkness' which has some pretty obvious Quaker resonances.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Pause For Thought - Rhiannon Grant: "An inner light" - BBC Sounds
Rhiannon Grant on this week's theme
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I was given the theme 'lighting the darkness' which has some pretty obvious Quaker resonances.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
December 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
If you're going to use a scary number try to all agree what it is first. This just makes it look like they're making shit up
December 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
If you're going to use a scary number try to all agree what it is first. This just makes it look like they're making shit up
Reposted by Thomas Penny
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
As Biden warned about democracy’s collapse, TV networks aired reruns
Broadcasters NBC, CBS and ABC usually air presidential prime-time addresses live. But they found Biden's Philadelphia speech more "political" than newsworthy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
"It was ours we want it back" sounds so much like Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, not to mention the Chinese on Taiwan.
Where to next?
Where to next?
Trump on Venezuela: "Getting land, oil rights, whatever we had -- they took it away because we had a president that maybe wasn't watching. But they're not gonna do that. We want it back. They took our oil rights. We had a lot of oil there. They threw our companies out. And we want it back."
December 17, 2025 at 10:12 PM
"It was ours we want it back" sounds so much like Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, not to mention the Chinese on Taiwan.
Where to next?
Where to next?
Reposted by Thomas Penny
I heard there was a secret meat
With paprika, and spicy heat
But you don't really care for sausage
Nduja
...sorry, I can delete this. I've just seen a few posts in this format and I wanted in.
With paprika, and spicy heat
But you don't really care for sausage
Nduja
...sorry, I can delete this. I've just seen a few posts in this format and I wanted in.
December 17, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I heard there was a secret meat
With paprika, and spicy heat
But you don't really care for sausage
Nduja
...sorry, I can delete this. I've just seen a few posts in this format and I wanted in.
With paprika, and spicy heat
But you don't really care for sausage
Nduja
...sorry, I can delete this. I've just seen a few posts in this format and I wanted in.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Wonderful to see new novel by @alicejolly.bsky.social featured in the Hotlist for this excellent publication.
December 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Wonderful to see new novel by @alicejolly.bsky.social featured in the Hotlist for this excellent publication.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
I was Herod, maybe it's best they didn't ask how Herods would vote.
🎄And as an Xmas special: What is voting intention by school nativity role we played? Labour’s best result is with those who played Wise Men, Tory’s Joseph, Greens narrators & maybe mirroring their rise from underdogs to today Reform’s best score is among those who played sheep/donkeys
December 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I was Herod, maybe it's best they didn't ask how Herods would vote.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Many experts warn that under international law, President Trump's blockade of Venezuela is an act of war.
🚨The House will vote TODAY on two War Powers Resolutions to block President Trump from launching unauthorized, disastrous new war against Venezuela.
Action resource⬇️
🚨The House will vote TODAY on two War Powers Resolutions to block President Trump from launching unauthorized, disastrous new war against Venezuela.
Action resource⬇️
'Unquestionably an Act of War': Trump Declares Naval Blockade Against Venezuela | Common Dreams
US President Donald Trump declared a blockade on "all sanctioned oil tankers" approaching and leaving Venezuela, a major escalation in what's widely seen as a march to war with the South American nati...
www.commondreams.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Many experts warn that under international law, President Trump's blockade of Venezuela is an act of war.
🚨The House will vote TODAY on two War Powers Resolutions to block President Trump from launching unauthorized, disastrous new war against Venezuela.
Action resource⬇️
🚨The House will vote TODAY on two War Powers Resolutions to block President Trump from launching unauthorized, disastrous new war against Venezuela.
Action resource⬇️
Reposted by Thomas Penny
I will be pushing for a moratorium on the construction of data centers that are powering the unregulated sprint to develop & deploy AI.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
It's Time for a Moratorium on Data Centers | Sen. Bernie Sanders
YouTube video by Senator Bernie Sanders
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I will be pushing for a moratorium on the construction of data centers that are powering the unregulated sprint to develop & deploy AI.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
An odd feature of Victorian political history is that we have great written records in the recess - because politicians are scattered about the country, writing letters - and howling voids during the Session, when MPs are scrawling notes to each other that get thrown away. The Whatsapp of their day.
December 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
An odd feature of Victorian political history is that we have great written records in the recess - because politicians are scattered about the country, writing letters - and howling voids during the Session, when MPs are scrawling notes to each other that get thrown away. The Whatsapp of their day.