Robster
@unilecturerrob.bsky.social
Bristolian (Gashead) exile in the North West. Lecturer and PostGrad Course Leader. A decade in practice/ two decades in academia. Centrist.
Reposted by Robster
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Inside the Pentagon’s Scramble to Deal With Boat Strike Survivors
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Reposted by Robster
Trump is just gonna try to lie his way through it: "You're getting lower prices, bigger paychecks. Inflation -- we're crushing it. And you're getting much higher wages. The only thing that's really going up big is the stock market and your 401ks."
December 10, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Trump is just gonna try to lie his way through it: "You're getting lower prices, bigger paychecks. Inflation -- we're crushing it. And you're getting much higher wages. The only thing that's really going up big is the stock market and your 401ks."
Reposted by Robster
I was a teenage boy once and I was obsessed with a lot of things but I can say... hand on heart... that list did not include Adolf Hitler
One admission of personal interest he neglects to mention is that he's a failed UKIP parliamentary candidate, so may have more than the passing acquaintance with Farage suggested here.
December 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I was a teenage boy once and I was obsessed with a lot of things but I can say... hand on heart... that list did not include Adolf Hitler
Reposted by Robster
In different ways, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are nostalgic for 1950s politics. But Xi wants to use Mao-era notions of collective sacrifice to build a 21C economy. Trump has promised MAGA supporters a return of a 1950s economy. My column, The Telegram
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
What’s worse for innovation: MAGA or Mao?
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping share a dangerous nostalgia
economist.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
In different ways, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are nostalgic for 1950s politics. But Xi wants to use Mao-era notions of collective sacrifice to build a 21C economy. Trump has promised MAGA supporters a return of a 1950s economy. My column, The Telegram
economist.com/internationa...
economist.com/internationa...
Reposted by Robster
Absolutely amazing chart from @peterkellner.bsky.social's piece in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social today:
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
December 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Absolutely amazing chart from @peterkellner.bsky.social's piece in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social today:
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/peter-kellne...
Reposted by Robster
And Trump continues to bow to Putin and do his bidding.
Wow -- Russia reportedly plotted last year to plant bombs on US-bound flights (gift link) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
And Trump continues to bow to Putin and do his bidding.
Reposted by Robster
Rep. Seth Moulton: "It's amazing how quickly this administration releases videos that they do what the public to see, and how many excuses they'll come up with for videos they don't want the public to see…The American public deserves to see what's happening."
December 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Rep. Seth Moulton: "It's amazing how quickly this administration releases videos that they do what the public to see, and how many excuses they'll come up with for videos they don't want the public to see…The American public deserves to see what's happening."
Reposted by Robster
Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, on Trump's farm bailout: "This is a band-aid on an open wound ... what we truly need are market-based solutions"
December 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, on Trump's farm bailout: "This is a band-aid on an open wound ... what we truly need are market-based solutions"
Reposted by Robster
In 1932 - Adolf Hitler himself - explained to Liberty magazine why the party he led was called the "National Socialist Party" and it had nothing to do with what anyone might term "socialism".
He then added:
"We might have called ourselves the Liberal Party."
He then added:
"We might have called ourselves the Liberal Party."
December 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Robster
Today's customs union vote is entirely symbolic, it's true. But what does it symbolise that no one is now arguing *for* Brexit?
thecritic.co.uk/regr...
thecritic.co.uk/regr...
December 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Today's customs union vote is entirely symbolic, it's true. But what does it symbolise that no one is now arguing *for* Brexit?
thecritic.co.uk/regr...
thecritic.co.uk/regr...
Reposted by Robster
Andy Burnham has warned the Treasury not to give Manchester a "cut-price" rail upgrade
In a strongly-worded message to Westminster, the Greater Manchester Mayor said removing Manchester Airport from Northern Powerhouse Railway plans would be "ludicrous”
He sat down with @noahvickers.bsky.social
In a strongly-worded message to Westminster, the Greater Manchester Mayor said removing Manchester Airport from Northern Powerhouse Railway plans would be "ludicrous”
He sat down with @noahvickers.bsky.social
Don't Leave Manchester With 'Cut-Price' Rail Upgrade, Andy Burnham Warns Ministers
Exclusive: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has warned the government not to give his region a “cut-price infrastructure option” as discussion...
www.politicshome.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Andy Burnham has warned the Treasury not to give Manchester a "cut-price" rail upgrade
In a strongly-worded message to Westminster, the Greater Manchester Mayor said removing Manchester Airport from Northern Powerhouse Railway plans would be "ludicrous”
He sat down with @noahvickers.bsky.social
In a strongly-worded message to Westminster, the Greater Manchester Mayor said removing Manchester Airport from Northern Powerhouse Railway plans would be "ludicrous”
He sat down with @noahvickers.bsky.social
Reposted by Robster
What is the roll-out of AI doing to the UK's labour market? What kind of future scenario planning is going on inside government to prepare not only for the opportunities ahead, but for the prospect of mass job losses?
My feature for @thehousemag.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My feature for @thehousemag.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Is The UK Jobs Market Ready For AI's 'Transitionary Shocks'?
AI is transforming the world of work. Will it lead to a spike in unemployment? What is being done to prepare for one? Noah Vickers reports
www.politicshome.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
What is the roll-out of AI doing to the UK's labour market? What kind of future scenario planning is going on inside government to prepare not only for the opportunities ahead, but for the prospect of mass job losses?
My feature for @thehousemag.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My feature for @thehousemag.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Robster
Are farmers going to be on welfare for all 4 years of this Trump term, or just for 3 years like the first Trump term?
We get you like voting for government handouts, but we are $38 trillion in debt.
We get you like voting for government handouts, but we are $38 trillion in debt.
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Are farmers going to be on welfare for all 4 years of this Trump term, or just for 3 years like the first Trump term?
We get you like voting for government handouts, but we are $38 trillion in debt.
We get you like voting for government handouts, but we are $38 trillion in debt.
Reposted by Robster
Jimmy Kimmel informed employees on Monday that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been renewed for another year, extending the show through May 2027, according to two people familiar with his remarks.
Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC Deal Is Extended Through May 2027
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” became a flashpoint about free speech in the country after it was temporarily suspended this year.
nyti.ms
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Jimmy Kimmel informed employees on Monday that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been renewed for another year, extending the show through May 2027, according to two people familiar with his remarks.
Reposted by Robster
Judge Deals Setback to DOJ in Potential Comey Re-Indictment
Judge Deals Setback to DOJ in Potential Comey Re-Indictment
A federal judge has dealt a setback to Justice Department efforts to seek a new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, temporarily barring prosecutors from using evidence they had relied on when they initially secured criminal charges.
dlvr.it
December 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Judge Deals Setback to DOJ in Potential Comey Re-Indictment
Reposted by Robster
@dorianlynskey.bsky.social & @iandunt.bsky.social discuss how the biggest left wing organisation in decades, The SDS destroyed itself at its final convention in Chicago on June 1969.
Listen to the full discussion 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#newleft #leftist #podcasts #originstory #politics #thesds
Listen to the full discussion 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#newleft #leftist #podcasts #originstory #politics #thesds
December 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
@dorianlynskey.bsky.social & @iandunt.bsky.social discuss how the biggest left wing organisation in decades, The SDS destroyed itself at its final convention in Chicago on June 1969.
Listen to the full discussion 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#newleft #leftist #podcasts #originstory #politics #thesds
Listen to the full discussion 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#newleft #leftist #podcasts #originstory #politics #thesds
Reposted by Robster
Insulting female journalists - Farage emulating his hero Trump
Emma Barnett is one of the BBC’s most senior and high-profile presenters (Woman’s Hour, Newsnight, later flagship political interviews). Farage calling her “lower grade” is:
•factually incorrect,
•demeaning rather than descriptive,
•clearly an insult
He’s despicable www.youtube.com/live/qwYO1HZ...
•factually incorrect,
•demeaning rather than descriptive,
•clearly an insult
He’s despicable www.youtube.com/live/qwYO1HZ...
December 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Insulting female journalists - Farage emulating his hero Trump
Reposted by Robster
Pretty crazy that nearly all of the EU Commission is still on X even as Elon Musk is literally talking about destroying the EU.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
So what's the outcome?
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
December 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Pretty crazy that nearly all of the EU Commission is still on X even as Elon Musk is literally talking about destroying the EU.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
You can leave X. It's really not that difficult.
Reposted by Robster
The Trump regime's assault on immigrants does not really target "the worst of the worst." Its aim: to make America whiter.
The crackdown on colleges does not really target antisemitism. Its aim: to crush dissent.
The murders of boat crews is not really about drugs. Its aim: to grab Venezuela's oil.
The crackdown on colleges does not really target antisemitism. Its aim: to crush dissent.
The murders of boat crews is not really about drugs. Its aim: to grab Venezuela's oil.
December 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Trump regime's assault on immigrants does not really target "the worst of the worst." Its aim: to make America whiter.
The crackdown on colleges does not really target antisemitism. Its aim: to crush dissent.
The murders of boat crews is not really about drugs. Its aim: to grab Venezuela's oil.
The crackdown on colleges does not really target antisemitism. Its aim: to crush dissent.
The murders of boat crews is not really about drugs. Its aim: to grab Venezuela's oil.
Reposted by Robster
Should it side with the president, the Supreme Court could supercharge Trump’s effort to assert absolute control over agencies that regulate the economy, the stock market, federal campaign finance and communications. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Supreme Court to Hear Arguments In Trump’s Bid for Total Control of Government
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Should it side with the president, the Supreme Court could supercharge Trump’s effort to assert absolute control over agencies that regulate the economy, the stock market, federal campaign finance and communications. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Robster
I really don't think he's saying that, tho. More that there's a genuine risk of fascist authoritarianism under Reform of the sort we've never seen before under the Tories. Which I don't think is a surprising thing for him to think. Or, tbh, wrong.
December 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I really don't think he's saying that, tho. More that there's a genuine risk of fascist authoritarianism under Reform of the sort we've never seen before under the Tories. Which I don't think is a surprising thing for him to think. Or, tbh, wrong.
Reposted by Robster
After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
December 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Robster
Enjoy hell Tom!
WELKER: Isn't it possible that even the act of taking off a t shirt could've been part of an attempt to get attention for help?
TOM COTTON: Or it could've been an attempt to signal to another cartel boat to come pick them up and pick up the cargo
TOM COTTON: Or it could've been an attempt to signal to another cartel boat to come pick them up and pick up the cargo
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Enjoy hell Tom!