Karen Smith
@velvetinab.bsky.social
Cat slave; interested in/occupied with yarn and textile crafts, art, human rights, language, nature, family/social history; autistic.
Reposted by Karen Smith
Dear the media,
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
December 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Dear the media,
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
When the US president claims he brokered a peace deal in a place with active combat—eg Rwanda and Congo—the story is (1) fighting rages on, and (2) US president lies.
The story is not “president touts historic peace deal.” A peace deal involves peace.
Sincerely,
Factual reality
Reposted by Karen Smith
Happy #internationalHumanRightsDay from UK and EU leaders
Reminder that the ECHR prevents people being expelled to face torture, inhuman treatment, slavery or death, and prevents splitting of families unless there's a strong enough public interest.
European leaders are evidently comfortable with at least some of those things, at least for foreigners.
European leaders are evidently comfortable with at least some of those things, at least for foreigners.
European leaders back ECHR plan to tackle illegal migration
Countries in treaty - including the UK - will negotiate a "political declaration" to make it easier to deport migrants.
www.bbc.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Happy #internationalHumanRightsDay from UK and EU leaders
Reposted by Karen Smith
Terrifying new UN report:
"The online-offline violence trajectory represents a vicious and self-perpetuating circle."
"This cycle of violence is even more dangerous when the abuse comes from a man as powerful as the president of the US."
https://bit.ly/4aKjLGG
"The online-offline violence trajectory represents a vicious and self-perpetuating circle."
"This cycle of violence is even more dangerous when the abuse comes from a man as powerful as the president of the US."
https://bit.ly/4aKjLGG
In this age of authoritarians, online abuse of women is soaring – and it's leading to ‘real-world' violence | Julie Posetti
Our UN report reveals the link between the online misogyny and offline crimes that are hounding women out of public life, says Julie Posetti, lead author of a new report published by UN Women
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Terrifying new UN report:
"The online-offline violence trajectory represents a vicious and self-perpetuating circle."
"This cycle of violence is even more dangerous when the abuse comes from a man as powerful as the president of the US."
https://bit.ly/4aKjLGG
"The online-offline violence trajectory represents a vicious and self-perpetuating circle."
"This cycle of violence is even more dangerous when the abuse comes from a man as powerful as the president of the US."
https://bit.ly/4aKjLGG
Reposted by Karen Smith
"After her hearing ended, three-year-old Lucy cuddled her teddy bear as she walked back from the lawyer’s table and took a seat.
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"After her hearing ended, three-year-old Lucy cuddled her teddy bear as she walked back from the lawyer’s table and took a seat.
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Reposted by Karen Smith
How refreshing to see FIFA, an organization famous for *taking* bribes, giving a bribe to a venal slob thirsty for false adulation.
December 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
How refreshing to see FIFA, an organization famous for *taking* bribes, giving a bribe to a venal slob thirsty for false adulation.
Reposted by Karen Smith
This is exactly what churches should be doing, calling out injustice.
📌 Lake Street Church Nativity: a bold social justice statement with ICE-like Roman soldiers, the Virgin Mary in a gas mask, baby Jesus zip-tied, Joseph on the ground, pushing viewers to think about immigration.
📌 Lake Street Church Nativity: a bold social justice statement with ICE-like Roman soldiers, the Virgin Mary in a gas mask, baby Jesus zip-tied, Joseph on the ground, pushing viewers to think about immigration.
December 5, 2025 at 4:38 PM
This is exactly what churches should be doing, calling out injustice.
📌 Lake Street Church Nativity: a bold social justice statement with ICE-like Roman soldiers, the Virgin Mary in a gas mask, baby Jesus zip-tied, Joseph on the ground, pushing viewers to think about immigration.
📌 Lake Street Church Nativity: a bold social justice statement with ICE-like Roman soldiers, the Virgin Mary in a gas mask, baby Jesus zip-tied, Joseph on the ground, pushing viewers to think about immigration.
Reposted by Karen Smith
Didn’t happen.
Nobody can remember.
Actually, I can remember.
Did happen wasn’t racist.
Was racist wasn’t offensive.
Here’s a possibly made-up letter from a bloke who insists things can only happen if he witnesses them.
As Farage squirms, Peter Ettedgui recalls their schooldays:
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Nobody can remember.
Actually, I can remember.
Did happen wasn’t racist.
Was racist wasn’t offensive.
Here’s a possibly made-up letter from a bloke who insists things can only happen if he witnesses them.
As Farage squirms, Peter Ettedgui recalls their schooldays:
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
James O'Brien Daily
Daily News Podcast · Updated daily · Welcome to the best bits of James O'Brien's LBC phone-in show.
Listen back to all the highlights in a 60-minute bite sized chunk of his show with new episodes ever...
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Didn’t happen.
Nobody can remember.
Actually, I can remember.
Did happen wasn’t racist.
Was racist wasn’t offensive.
Here’s a possibly made-up letter from a bloke who insists things can only happen if he witnesses them.
As Farage squirms, Peter Ettedgui recalls their schooldays:
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Nobody can remember.
Actually, I can remember.
Did happen wasn’t racist.
Was racist wasn’t offensive.
Here’s a possibly made-up letter from a bloke who insists things can only happen if he witnesses them.
As Farage squirms, Peter Ettedgui recalls their schooldays:
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Reposted by Karen Smith
A particularly good report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social here on genuine ways in which to fix what is, objectively, a broken system. Hint, making life harder for migrants isn't the way to do it.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Time for Change is here!
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Sick of the constant demonisation of migrants?
Want to see an alternative plan?
Our new report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social outlines 9 steps to a system that delivers dignity for all.
Read it here: www.anothereurope.org/time-for-cha...
Time For Change: The evidence-based policies that can actually fix the immigration system
A new report from prominent migration expert Zoe Gardner has been enthusiastically welcomed by senior Labour backbenchers.
www.anothereurope.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A particularly good report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social here on genuine ways in which to fix what is, objectively, a broken system. Hint, making life harder for migrants isn't the way to do it.
Reposted by Karen Smith
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men
Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
Reposted by Karen Smith
We have the statistics on suicide being the HIGHEST cause of death in certain age groups, the statistics showing the link between suicide and autism. Mental health services need ££ to treat people on a par with physical services - not another fcking “review”
December 4, 2025 at 8:49 AM
We have the statistics on suicide being the HIGHEST cause of death in certain age groups, the statistics showing the link between suicide and autism. Mental health services need ££ to treat people on a par with physical services - not another fcking “review”
Reposted by Karen Smith
The lead, Peter Fonagy, was part of the SIM program which stated that people who are in crisis "too often" should be refused treatment because they are "attention seeking", and that instead cops should threaten them with CBOs instead.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...
Alarm over government’s choices to lead ‘over-diagnosis’ review that could help ministers cut benefits
The government’s decision to commission a review of alleged “over-diagnosis” of mental health conditions and neurodivergence has caused alarm among many disabled people, with fears that it will all…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The lead, Peter Fonagy, was part of the SIM program which stated that people who are in crisis "too often" should be refused treatment because they are "attention seeking", and that instead cops should threaten them with CBOs instead.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/alarm-over-g...
Reposted by Karen Smith
The HUGE red flag is he's employed Simon Wessely to look into this.
Wessely is a psychologist who's made a career out of gaslighting people with #MECFS, and has never apologised despite research now showing it's a condition with detectable physical bio-markers and gene expression.
Wessely is a psychologist who's made a career out of gaslighting people with #MECFS, and has never apologised despite research now showing it's a condition with detectable physical bio-markers and gene expression.
December 4, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The HUGE red flag is he's employed Simon Wessely to look into this.
Wessely is a psychologist who's made a career out of gaslighting people with #MECFS, and has never apologised despite research now showing it's a condition with detectable physical bio-markers and gene expression.
Wessely is a psychologist who's made a career out of gaslighting people with #MECFS, and has never apologised despite research now showing it's a condition with detectable physical bio-markers and gene expression.
Reposted by Karen Smith
Considering Streeting's well stated belief autism, ADHD etc, along with mental health issues, are "overdiagnosed", I won't hold my breath for this doing anything other than being used to cut support, along with opportunities for diagnosis, for people who need it. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Streeting orders review into mental health and ADHD diagnosis
The health secretary said the aim was to tackle a rising demand for services and the increased pressure on the NHS.
www.bbc.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Considering Streeting's well stated belief autism, ADHD etc, along with mental health issues, are "overdiagnosed", I won't hold my breath for this doing anything other than being used to cut support, along with opportunities for diagnosis, for people who need it. #r4today
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Karen Smith
Ordering an inquiry into crisis levels in the diagnosis of neurodivergence, an issue that has uncovered how massively underdiagnosed, under-supported, and ignored (predominantly) the suffering of neurodiverse women has been since... Well, forever, is fine. It's fine. But...
December 4, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Ordering an inquiry into crisis levels in the diagnosis of neurodivergence, an issue that has uncovered how massively underdiagnosed, under-supported, and ignored (predominantly) the suffering of neurodiverse women has been since... Well, forever, is fine. It's fine. But...
Reposted by Karen Smith
Pleased to discover that slightly misnaming the national chess championship you won as a school child is a much more serious offence than repeatedly racially abusing your fellow pupils and telling them they should go to the gas chamber
December 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Pleased to discover that slightly misnaming the national chess championship you won as a school child is a much more serious offence than repeatedly racially abusing your fellow pupils and telling them they should go to the gas chamber
Reposted by Karen Smith
All of the money that goes into the benefit system is spent by the people that receive it so it actually boosts the economy. The money given to billionaires is hoarded often outside of the country.
Just something to think about while you’re spouting drivel about people on benefits and immigrants.
Just something to think about while you’re spouting drivel about people on benefits and immigrants.
December 4, 2025 at 8:08 AM
All of the money that goes into the benefit system is spent by the people that receive it so it actually boosts the economy. The money given to billionaires is hoarded often outside of the country.
Just something to think about while you’re spouting drivel about people on benefits and immigrants.
Just something to think about while you’re spouting drivel about people on benefits and immigrants.
Reposted by Karen Smith
Wes Streeting claims there are too many diagnoses of anxiety, autism, and ADHD. But when people are oppressed by neoliberalism, and others cannot comply with its demand for uniformity, he is really seeking to destroy evidence of dissent for his toxic worldview. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
Wes Streeting’s exercise in thought control
The Guardian reports this morning that:
The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has ordered a clinical review of the diagnosis of mental health conditions, according to reports.
Streeting is understood ...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Wes Streeting claims there are too many diagnoses of anxiety, autism, and ADHD. But when people are oppressed by neoliberalism, and others cannot comply with its demand for uniformity, he is really seeking to destroy evidence of dissent for his toxic worldview. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
Reposted by Karen Smith
“This strategy simply papers over cracks of a politics in which the Overton window moves steadily towards the hard right & likely big victory of the party that represents a full-fat rather than semi-skimmed version of national populism” - great from Neal Lawson on need for Labour to build alliances👏
Farage and the Tory right will unite because they want power. Will the left just stand by? | Neal Lawson
It’s time for a harsh reality check. A progressive bloc of parties refusing to see a common threat risks disaster, says Neal Lawson of Compass
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:04 AM
“This strategy simply papers over cracks of a politics in which the Overton window moves steadily towards the hard right & likely big victory of the party that represents a full-fat rather than semi-skimmed version of national populism” - great from Neal Lawson on need for Labour to build alliances👏
Reposted by Karen Smith
Reposted by Karen Smith
This is the guy who gave Boris Johnson £1 million and then won a big MoD contract....
Reform gets largest ever political donation by an individual in UK history from a crypto baron living in Thailand
This is not normal
www.ft.com/content/db73...
This is not normal
www.ft.com/content/db73...
Reform UK gets £9mn donation from Christopher Harborne
Nigel Farage’s party attracts far more funding than both Labour and the Conservatives
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
This is the guy who gave Boris Johnson £1 million and then won a big MoD contract....
Reposted by Karen Smith
Shall we examine the barriers to work? Shall we talk about the impact of covid, austerity and late stage capitalism on mental health? Shall we talk about the impact of societal hostility on minorities? What about the pitiful state of mental health research and services?? Nah, social media mate.
December 4, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Shall we examine the barriers to work? Shall we talk about the impact of covid, austerity and late stage capitalism on mental health? Shall we talk about the impact of societal hostility on minorities? What about the pitiful state of mental health research and services?? Nah, social media mate.
Reposted by Karen Smith
Crypto investor and former Tory donor Christopher Harborne has just given a record-breaking £9 million donation to Reform.
Nigel Farage has spent recent months publicly calling for deregulation of the crypto industry, telling an industry conference that "I am your champion"
Nigel Farage has spent recent months publicly calling for deregulation of the crypto industry, telling an industry conference that "I am your champion"
December 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Crypto investor and former Tory donor Christopher Harborne has just given a record-breaking £9 million donation to Reform.
Nigel Farage has spent recent months publicly calling for deregulation of the crypto industry, telling an industry conference that "I am your champion"
Nigel Farage has spent recent months publicly calling for deregulation of the crypto industry, telling an industry conference that "I am your champion"
Reposted by Karen Smith
So the Daily Mail owner's wife has just given £50,000 to Nigel Farage's Reform UK
December 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM
So the Daily Mail owner's wife has just given £50,000 to Nigel Farage's Reform UK
Reposted by Karen Smith
The normalisation of extremism in British politics and parts of the media is shocking - as is the complacent response of so many supposed anti-racists.
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The normalisation of extremism in British politics and parts of the media is shocking - as is the complacent response of so many supposed anti-racists.
Reposted by Karen Smith
SPOILER ALERT: Farage authorised this poster. It is inspired by a Nazi propaganda film. It is both racist and designed to hurt people. Farage has not changed. Racism has defined Farage's whole career. Without his racism, he'd be no one.
#FarageOut
#FarageOut
December 3, 2025 at 10:06 AM
SPOILER ALERT: Farage authorised this poster. It is inspired by a Nazi propaganda film. It is both racist and designed to hurt people. Farage has not changed. Racism has defined Farage's whole career. Without his racism, he'd be no one.
#FarageOut
#FarageOut