Val Dobson
@valdobson.bsky.social
Great-grandmother who is sick of being sick. Compulsive factchecker and hunter of lies.
I support womens' and girls' rights.
Current abode: the armpit of England.
I support womens' and girls' rights.
Current abode: the armpit of England.
Reposted by Val Dobson
I have a huge crush on Sam Neill so when he started messaging me on Google Chat I was thrilled
I was a little shy sending him photos but he was really encouraging
I wonder what’s next in this new adventure
Maybe he could be THE ONE 🤞
I was a little shy sending him photos but he was really encouraging
I wonder what’s next in this new adventure
Maybe he could be THE ONE 🤞
February 2, 2026 at 9:22 AM
I have a huge crush on Sam Neill so when he started messaging me on Google Chat I was thrilled
I was a little shy sending him photos but he was really encouraging
I wonder what’s next in this new adventure
Maybe he could be THE ONE 🤞
I was a little shy sending him photos but he was really encouraging
I wonder what’s next in this new adventure
Maybe he could be THE ONE 🤞
Reposted by Val Dobson
A damned good question.
February 2, 2026 at 10:09 AM
A damned good question.
Reposted by Val Dobson
UK Politics
90 per cent of Reform supporting comments on social media are bots
Exclusive: Analysis of
649 pro-Reform UK comments in 2025 on social media found that 65 were from real people, while the rest were fake bot accounts used to make their support appear higher than it actually is.
90 per cent of Reform supporting comments on social media are bots
Exclusive: Analysis of
649 pro-Reform UK comments in 2025 on social media found that 65 were from real people, while the rest were fake bot accounts used to make their support appear higher than it actually is.
February 1, 2026 at 11:40 PM
UK Politics
90 per cent of Reform supporting comments on social media are bots
Exclusive: Analysis of
649 pro-Reform UK comments in 2025 on social media found that 65 were from real people, while the rest were fake bot accounts used to make their support appear higher than it actually is.
90 per cent of Reform supporting comments on social media are bots
Exclusive: Analysis of
649 pro-Reform UK comments in 2025 on social media found that 65 were from real people, while the rest were fake bot accounts used to make their support appear higher than it actually is.
Reposted by Val Dobson
@andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social worth a comment?
Nigel Farage was mentioned 43 times in the Epstein files.
But you don’t see any of the ‘political’ journalists mention this do you?
Instead it’s the usual diatribes against Starmer.
These people are an embarrassment
But you don’t see any of the ‘political’ journalists mention this do you?
Instead it’s the usual diatribes against Starmer.
These people are an embarrassment
February 2, 2026 at 11:31 AM
@andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social worth a comment?
Reposted by Val Dobson
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
Reposted by Val Dobson
Visiting an old haunt
February 1, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Visiting an old haunt
Reposted by Val Dobson
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
— The Epicurean Paradox
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
— The Epicurean Paradox
February 1, 2026 at 4:14 PM
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
— The Epicurean Paradox
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
— The Epicurean Paradox
Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" www.themarginalian.org/2026/01/26/b...
Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”
A hymn of rage, a hymn of redemption, and a timeless love letter to the possible.
www.themarginalian.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" www.themarginalian.org/2026/01/26/b...
Reposted by Val Dobson
Let's hope this positive news gets as much attention as the people who try to convince us that the UK is a murder ravaged hellscape.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS statistics show
The 499 homicide cases in the year to September were the lowest in England and Wales since 1977.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Let's hope this positive news gets as much attention as the people who try to convince us that the UK is a murder ravaged hellscape.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Val Dobson
"national network of Marxist-Leninist cells"
ROTFL.
ROTFL.
Then there’s…this. This is a news article, not an op ed. I reviewed Fox’s December 2019-March 2020 COVID coverage in their online news section and it didn’t throw in shit like this, even since then they’ve deteriorated
January 26, 2026 at 1:52 PM
"national network of Marxist-Leninist cells"
ROTFL.
ROTFL.
Reposted by Val Dobson
@ scottishgovernment.bsky.social Please, Please investigate this.
The biggest Trump financial mystery? Where he came up with the cash for his Scottish resorts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The biggest Trump financial mystery? Where he came up with the cash for his Scottish resorts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The biggest Trump financial mystery? Where he came up with the cash for his Scottish resorts.
Donald Trump dumped $400 million into his clubs in Aberdeen and Turnberry. Now, lawmakers in Edinburgh want to investigate him for money laundering.
www.motherjones.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:32 PM
@ scottishgovernment.bsky.social Please, Please investigate this.
The biggest Trump financial mystery? Where he came up with the cash for his Scottish resorts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The biggest Trump financial mystery? Where he came up with the cash for his Scottish resorts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Val Dobson
SOLICITOR: did you receive the papers
LIAM: AM FUMIN
SOLICITOR: why
LIAM: SNEAKY BASTARDS BUGGED ME VAN
SOLICITOR: yeah..
LIAM: A WERE SHAGGIN ME MRS IN IT
SOLICITOR: I’ve never felt more sorry for the police than I do right now
LIAM: WHAT ABOUT ME?!
SOLICITOR: they’ll need YEARS of therapy.
LIAM: AM FUMIN
SOLICITOR: why
LIAM: SNEAKY BASTARDS BUGGED ME VAN
SOLICITOR: yeah..
LIAM: A WERE SHAGGIN ME MRS IN IT
SOLICITOR: I’ve never felt more sorry for the police than I do right now
LIAM: WHAT ABOUT ME?!
SOLICITOR: they’ll need YEARS of therapy.
January 23, 2026 at 9:16 PM
SOLICITOR: did you receive the papers
LIAM: AM FUMIN
SOLICITOR: why
LIAM: SNEAKY BASTARDS BUGGED ME VAN
SOLICITOR: yeah..
LIAM: A WERE SHAGGIN ME MRS IN IT
SOLICITOR: I’ve never felt more sorry for the police than I do right now
LIAM: WHAT ABOUT ME?!
SOLICITOR: they’ll need YEARS of therapy.
LIAM: AM FUMIN
SOLICITOR: why
LIAM: SNEAKY BASTARDS BUGGED ME VAN
SOLICITOR: yeah..
LIAM: A WERE SHAGGIN ME MRS IN IT
SOLICITOR: I’ve never felt more sorry for the police than I do right now
LIAM: WHAT ABOUT ME?!
SOLICITOR: they’ll need YEARS of therapy.
Been binge-rewatching The Expanse for the last week, as a welcome escape from The Madness of King Don coverage that's become almost inescapable.
The series is years old, but some of the parallels with contemporary world events is striking. Like this: youtu.be/KTOuc8KhtAA?...
The series is years old, but some of the parallels with contemporary world events is striking. Like this: youtu.be/KTOuc8KhtAA?...
Marco's speech claiming responsibility — The Expanse Season 5 Episode 4
YouTube video by Radio Free Slow Zone
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Been binge-rewatching The Expanse for the last week, as a welcome escape from The Madness of King Don coverage that's become almost inescapable.
The series is years old, but some of the parallels with contemporary world events is striking. Like this: youtu.be/KTOuc8KhtAA?...
The series is years old, but some of the parallels with contemporary world events is striking. Like this: youtu.be/KTOuc8KhtAA?...
Reposted by Val Dobson
And since I'm spending my birthday debunking chemical weapons nonsense, I might as well get another one in:
No. Churchill did not bomb anyone in Iraq with Mustard Gas.
No. Churchill did not bomb anyone in Iraq with Mustard Gas.
January 19, 2026 at 5:40 PM
And since I'm spending my birthday debunking chemical weapons nonsense, I might as well get another one in:
No. Churchill did not bomb anyone in Iraq with Mustard Gas.
No. Churchill did not bomb anyone in Iraq with Mustard Gas.
Reposted by Val Dobson
This is a good article worth reading. It hits an awful lot of nails very squarely on their heads.
Donald Trump isn’t negotiating, he’s punishing.
This post looks at why the UK’s “reasonable” strategy was never going to work, how the NHS ended up paying the price, and why there may be no stable way to deal with this administration at all.
A darker one than I would have liked.
This post looks at why the UK’s “reasonable” strategy was never going to work, how the NHS ended up paying the price, and why there may be no stable way to deal with this administration at all.
A darker one than I would have liked.
Why Conceding to Trump Didn’t Buy the UK Any Safety
From Greenland to the NHS, economic coercion only teaches one lesson: it works. - A long read
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 5:49 PM
This is a good article worth reading. It hits an awful lot of nails very squarely on their heads.
Reposted by Val Dobson
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She passed away
thezebra.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Reposted by Val Dobson
I'm good thanks. I think I probably won't move to the country where the authorities pump out neo-Nazi memes and masked militias roam the streets.
The Trump administration has discussed offering asylum to Britain’s Jewish population, a lawyer for the president has said.
Robert Garson, Trump’s personal lawyer, said that the UK was “no longer a safe place for Jews” ⬇️
Robert Garson, Trump’s personal lawyer, said that the UK was “no longer a safe place for Jews” ⬇️
Trump lawyer says US discussed offering asylum to British Jews
Trump lawyer says US discussed offering asylum to British Jews
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:24 AM
I'm good thanks. I think I probably won't move to the country where the authorities pump out neo-Nazi memes and masked militias roam the streets.
Reposted by Val Dobson
Venezuela's oil. Money a decent gov would use to improve the lot of Venezuelans in the way Norway's sovereign wealth fund does...
And instead it goes to an account in Qatar controlled by Trump.
I know we make this joke all the time, but this would not get past your 1st story meeting at a studio.
And instead it goes to an account in Qatar controlled by Trump.
I know we make this joke all the time, but this would not get past your 1st story meeting at a studio.
VARNEY: Are we now actively selling the oil we're taking from Venezuelan tankers?
ENERGY SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT: Oh, absolutely
VARNEY: How much of that oil are we going to take?
WRIGHT: We'll take the majority of Venezuelan exports
ENERGY SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT: Oh, absolutely
VARNEY: How much of that oil are we going to take?
WRIGHT: We'll take the majority of Venezuelan exports
January 19, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Venezuela's oil. Money a decent gov would use to improve the lot of Venezuelans in the way Norway's sovereign wealth fund does...
And instead it goes to an account in Qatar controlled by Trump.
I know we make this joke all the time, but this would not get past your 1st story meeting at a studio.
And instead it goes to an account in Qatar controlled by Trump.
I know we make this joke all the time, but this would not get past your 1st story meeting at a studio.
January 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Val Dobson
“They don’t understand the rights they are giving away, or how hard we had to fight for those rights."
"They stand on the shoulders of giants. It is not just me, but the Maiden crew, the people who got us there, my mother’s generation, my grandmother’s generation"
www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2025...
"They stand on the shoulders of giants. It is not just me, but the Maiden crew, the people who got us there, my mother’s generation, my grandmother’s generation"
www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2025...
Tracy Edwards: Arguing with trans activists is like explaining Einstein to my dog
Skipper of the first all-female crew in the Round the World Race on her fight for women’s sport and pioneering career
www.telegraph.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 7:59 AM
“They don’t understand the rights they are giving away, or how hard we had to fight for those rights."
"They stand on the shoulders of giants. It is not just me, but the Maiden crew, the people who got us there, my mother’s generation, my grandmother’s generation"
www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2025...
"They stand on the shoulders of giants. It is not just me, but the Maiden crew, the people who got us there, my mother’s generation, my grandmother’s generation"
www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2025...
Reposted by Val Dobson
Miniature musical instrument makers admit defeat as violin size requirement for story is declared "too small to build."
December 27, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Miniature musical instrument makers admit defeat as violin size requirement for story is declared "too small to build."
Reposted by Val Dobson
Don't threaten me with a good time!
Steve Bannon: "If we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison, myself included."
December 27, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Don't threaten me with a good time!
Reposted by Val Dobson
This by @writesbright.bsky.social is a succinct assessment of Farage. He’s not a leader. He has no loyalty to his team and, eventually, when they realise, he’ll receive none in return.
writesbright.substack.com/p/farages-to...
writesbright.substack.com/p/farages-to...
December 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This by @writesbright.bsky.social is a succinct assessment of Farage. He’s not a leader. He has no loyalty to his team and, eventually, when they realise, he’ll receive none in return.
writesbright.substack.com/p/farages-to...
writesbright.substack.com/p/farages-to...
Reposted by Val Dobson
Watching the film “Notting Hill” and there’s a dinner party scene that makes me, rather uncomfortably, think of the time I had breakfast next to Julia Roberts and chatted to her, oblivious to who she was. I’m a British filmmaking cliche
December 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Watching the film “Notting Hill” and there’s a dinner party scene that makes me, rather uncomfortably, think of the time I had breakfast next to Julia Roberts and chatted to her, oblivious to who she was. I’m a British filmmaking cliche
Reposted by Val Dobson
Hot Butter - Popcorn (Techno Mix)
YouTube video by RespectTheDJ
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM