Alan Baskin 🦋
@alanbaskin.bsky.social
Melbourne, Australia. 50 plus years as a journalist. Wondering what the hell has happened. Heard someone describe Trump’s cabinet appointments as ‘funny’. I can think of other words.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
"The world I am about to leave has changed for the worse," writes Barry Jones. "Facts, figures, evidence, testable proposition and rational debate no longer count. Liberal democracy is in sharp decline." satpa.pe/tagm5G6
On faith and the exit ramp
satpa.pe
December 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
"The world I am about to leave has changed for the worse," writes Barry Jones. "Facts, figures, evidence, testable proposition and rational debate no longer count. Liberal democracy is in sharp decline." satpa.pe/tagm5G6
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
Maria Shriver, niece of JFK:
He was a man interested in the arts, culture, education, language, history... It is beyond comprehension that the president has sought to rename this great memorial.
C’mon my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny... It’s downright weird.
He was a man interested in the arts, culture, education, language, history... It is beyond comprehension that the president has sought to rename this great memorial.
C’mon my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny... It’s downright weird.
December 18, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Maria Shriver, niece of JFK:
He was a man interested in the arts, culture, education, language, history... It is beyond comprehension that the president has sought to rename this great memorial.
C’mon my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny... It’s downright weird.
He was a man interested in the arts, culture, education, language, history... It is beyond comprehension that the president has sought to rename this great memorial.
C’mon my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny... It’s downright weird.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
Have a quiet think. Let it be a guiding lesson for you
Whatever regretful comments you may have made in your life, whatever actions you wish you could take back, let your benchmark for the lowest of the low be using the deaths of 15 people for the relaunch of your political career
Whatever regretful comments you may have made in your life, whatever actions you wish you could take back, let your benchmark for the lowest of the low be using the deaths of 15 people for the relaunch of your political career
December 18, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Have a quiet think. Let it be a guiding lesson for you
Whatever regretful comments you may have made in your life, whatever actions you wish you could take back, let your benchmark for the lowest of the low be using the deaths of 15 people for the relaunch of your political career
Whatever regretful comments you may have made in your life, whatever actions you wish you could take back, let your benchmark for the lowest of the low be using the deaths of 15 people for the relaunch of your political career
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
“I’d have no problem releasing the video”
“I didn’t say that, you said that. Fake news.”
5 days apart 😬
(From @therecount.com )
“I didn’t say that, you said that. Fake news.”
5 days apart 😬
(From @therecount.com )
December 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
“I’d have no problem releasing the video”
“I didn’t say that, you said that. Fake news.”
5 days apart 😬
(From @therecount.com )
“I didn’t say that, you said that. Fake news.”
5 days apart 😬
(From @therecount.com )
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
Listen to Ralph and Mary reminisce in this lovely chat: www.mixcloud.com/SpaceStudios...
The Mary Hopkin Radio Show S01 E04 - Ralph McTell
In this latest episode of the Mary Hopkin Radio Show, Mary talks to her great friend, the legendary Ralph McTell. A warm and funny show, with songs from both Ralph and Mary, and a story about pumping ...
www.mixcloud.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Listen to Ralph and Mary reminisce in this lovely chat: www.mixcloud.com/SpaceStudios...
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
The good news just keeps on coming
November 30, 2025 at 5:46 AM
The good news just keeps on coming
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
Meta and Mark Zuckerberg know no shame. This is disgusting conduct worthy of a prison sentence for Meta executives including Zuckerberg.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Parents outraged as Meta uses photos of schoolgirls in ads targeting man
Exclusive: Instagram pictures of girls as young as 13 were posted to promote Threads site ‘as bait’, campaigner says
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Meta and Mark Zuckerberg know no shame. This is disgusting conduct worthy of a prison sentence for Meta executives including Zuckerberg.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
My latest in the Guardian is about why and how America is turning Australians into a nation of stunned mullets.
America’s language of extremity is shocking to Australians. With local radicals on the march, we have to push back | Van Badham
America’s language of extremity is shocking to Australians. With local radicals on the march, we have to push back | Van Badham
If you’re wondering why you feel emotionally assaulted every time you click a social media app it’s not just due to the content of US news
“Why do Australians care about the domestic politics of the US?” is being asked a lot.
In the wake of another bloody week in US news and the online discourse around it, wrestling with the answer provokes questions about the implications of shared language, cultural sovereignty and deeply divergent attitudes to the politics of speech. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My latest in the Guardian is about why and how America is turning Australians into a nation of stunned mullets.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
UN Security Council to meet over violation of Polish airspace, Poland says
UN Security Council to meet over violation of Polish airspace, Poland says
Poland, backed by Nato allies, shot down suspected Russian drones on Wednesday
www.irishtimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:19 AM
UN Security Council to meet over violation of Polish airspace, Poland says
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
So You Want to Own Greenland? Lessons from the Vikings to Trump: A much sought-after property
So You Want to Own Greenland? Lessons from the Vikings to Trump: A much sought-after property
Australian defence analyst frames book as ‘a buyer’s guide’, highlighting challenges facing Trump or anyone else sizing up the world’s largest island
www.irishtimes.com
September 6, 2025 at 3:41 AM
So You Want to Own Greenland? Lessons from the Vikings to Trump: A much sought-after property
‘Don’t touch it’: Port Arthur veterans on gun law amendments www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
‘Don’t touch it’: Port Arthur veterans on gun law amendments
As the NSW government considers backing the Shooters party on a bill that would ease restrictions on weapons, those close to the 1996 massacre warn against any move that could fuel the national surge ...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
September 6, 2025 at 3:49 AM
‘Don’t touch it’: Port Arthur veterans on gun law amendments www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
JFK: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country".
September 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
JFK: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country".
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
'While Canberra’s opposition parties dither on net-zero targets it’s interesting to note that [Ley] represents an electorate that's home to some of the most vigorous renewables development in the country.'
Me in The Monthly on Sussan Ley's electorate, Farrer.
www.themonthly.com.au/september-20...
Me in The Monthly on Sussan Ley's electorate, Farrer.
www.themonthly.com.au/september-20...
Contrast country
Visiting the wide-ranging country electorate of Sussan Ley, the leader of a party in desperate need of winning seats in the distant big cities
www.themonthly.com.au
September 3, 2025 at 12:27 AM
'While Canberra’s opposition parties dither on net-zero targets it’s interesting to note that [Ley] represents an electorate that's home to some of the most vigorous renewables development in the country.'
Me in The Monthly on Sussan Ley's electorate, Farrer.
www.themonthly.com.au/september-20...
Me in The Monthly on Sussan Ley's electorate, Farrer.
www.themonthly.com.au/september-20...
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
August 31, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
In your fascist dreams, dickhead. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage adviser said UK would be better off if it had not fought in WW2
Exclusive: Jack Anderton says UK may ‘regain’ former colonies in future and suggests end to support for Ukraine
www.theguardian.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
In your fascist dreams, dickhead. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
Switched on the TV. As Putin & Trump walked toward each other on the tarmac, Trump actually applauded the murderous war criminal.
August 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Switched on the TV. As Putin & Trump walked toward each other on the tarmac, Trump actually applauded the murderous war criminal.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
I feel desperately sorry for Byron Bay Writers Fest cancelled due to catastrophic rain, not so much sympathy for Bendigo. Writers are meant to make the powerful uncomfortable. It is literally our job. www.smh.com.au/culture/book...
‘Not a time for silence’: More than 30 authors quit Bendigo Writers Festival
The festival started on Friday, but the opening night gala and the closing event have been cancelled along with a number of other sessions.
www.smh.com.au
August 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I feel desperately sorry for Byron Bay Writers Fest cancelled due to catastrophic rain, not so much sympathy for Bendigo. Writers are meant to make the powerful uncomfortable. It is literally our job. www.smh.com.au/culture/book...
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
It’s amazing that Washington DC can achieve its lowest crime rate in 30 years when 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is experiencing its highest crime rate in history.
August 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
It’s amazing that Washington DC can achieve its lowest crime rate in 30 years when 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is experiencing its highest crime rate in history.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
In the time when we all lived in caves, half of everyone born was dead by age 30.
By 1840, half of everyone born was dead by 35. ( despite organic foods, clean air & water (etc)
Today’s much long life expectancy is due to science - the meds, the vaccines etc
Do not listen to RFK Jr
By 1840, half of everyone born was dead by 35. ( despite organic foods, clean air & water (etc)
Today’s much long life expectancy is due to science - the meds, the vaccines etc
Do not listen to RFK Jr
August 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
In the time when we all lived in caves, half of everyone born was dead by age 30.
By 1840, half of everyone born was dead by 35. ( despite organic foods, clean air & water (etc)
Today’s much long life expectancy is due to science - the meds, the vaccines etc
Do not listen to RFK Jr
By 1840, half of everyone born was dead by 35. ( despite organic foods, clean air & water (etc)
Today’s much long life expectancy is due to science - the meds, the vaccines etc
Do not listen to RFK Jr
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
August 13, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
‘Help me, please!’
Plainclothes “ICE” agents snatch a man outside Los Angeles’ largest courthouse on Wednesday. A tactic that has been repeatedly condemned by the legal community.
Painful to watch. Even more painful knowing there are people who not only accept this, are happy about it.
Plainclothes “ICE” agents snatch a man outside Los Angeles’ largest courthouse on Wednesday. A tactic that has been repeatedly condemned by the legal community.
Painful to watch. Even more painful knowing there are people who not only accept this, are happy about it.
August 13, 2025 at 10:59 PM
‘Help me, please!’
Plainclothes “ICE” agents snatch a man outside Los Angeles’ largest courthouse on Wednesday. A tactic that has been repeatedly condemned by the legal community.
Painful to watch. Even more painful knowing there are people who not only accept this, are happy about it.
Plainclothes “ICE” agents snatch a man outside Los Angeles’ largest courthouse on Wednesday. A tactic that has been repeatedly condemned by the legal community.
Painful to watch. Even more painful knowing there are people who not only accept this, are happy about it.
Reposted by Alan Baskin 🦋
A late night message from Gavin Newsom
August 14, 2025 at 4:18 AM
A late night message from Gavin Newsom