Mark Johnson
@braunton-mark.bsky.social
Retired tech founder who wants a more equal world and for Bristol Bears to win the Premiership Rugby final.
Not too much to ask is it ?
Not too much to ask is it ?
Yep, I read it at the time as couldn’t believe he had said what was being claimed and sure enough, he didn’t. I then tried to put his actual words on here in response to these claims but, as social media does, group think based on false facts, led to abuse of someone trying to post the facts.
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Yep, I read it at the time as couldn’t believe he had said what was being claimed and sure enough, he didn’t. I then tried to put his actual words on here in response to these claims but, as social media does, group think based on false facts, led to abuse of someone trying to post the facts.
I did wonder. Reality is so difficult to find these days.
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I did wonder. Reality is so difficult to find these days.
but being different and holding different views shouldn’t necessitate disrespect and ill manners unless the views are abhorrent, and even then, if one loses it completely, then the argument is lost.
BTW Pluribus is excellent in so many ways. Really makes one think about big societal issues.
BTW Pluribus is excellent in so many ways. Really makes one think about big societal issues.
December 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
but being different and holding different views shouldn’t necessitate disrespect and ill manners unless the views are abhorrent, and even then, if one loses it completely, then the argument is lost.
BTW Pluribus is excellent in so many ways. Really makes one think about big societal issues.
BTW Pluribus is excellent in so many ways. Really makes one think about big societal issues.
Am in total agreement on this.
There is no cost to being polite, and there are so many benefits, not least of which is feeling comfortable with one’s self.
Am watching Pluribus at the moment, and it makes such a strong point about the value of different views in a world dominated by group think..
There is no cost to being polite, and there are so many benefits, not least of which is feeling comfortable with one’s self.
Am watching Pluribus at the moment, and it makes such a strong point about the value of different views in a world dominated by group think..
December 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Am in total agreement on this.
There is no cost to being polite, and there are so many benefits, not least of which is feeling comfortable with one’s self.
Am watching Pluribus at the moment, and it makes such a strong point about the value of different views in a world dominated by group think..
There is no cost to being polite, and there are so many benefits, not least of which is feeling comfortable with one’s self.
Am watching Pluribus at the moment, and it makes such a strong point about the value of different views in a world dominated by group think..
And, to be fair to Starmer, it wasn’t like he didn’t warn people on hundreds, if not thousands, of occasions of the consequences of political isolation through Brexit, over 4 years between 2015 and 2019.
December 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
And, to be fair to Starmer, it wasn’t like he didn’t warn people on hundreds, if not thousands, of occasions of the consequences of political isolation through Brexit, over 4 years between 2015 and 2019.
Have saved them the effort. Having been to the last few overseas rugby world cups, we won’t be coming to the US one or any other trip to the US until Trump and MAGA are gone. Sadly I think that may be well past 2031 when the RWC takes place
December 10, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Have saved them the effort. Having been to the last few overseas rugby world cups, we won’t be coming to the US one or any other trip to the US until Trump and MAGA are gone. Sadly I think that may be well past 2031 when the RWC takes place
The dismantling of youth provision was one of the most stupid, short sighted decisions of the coalition government. This looks like recognition of that and the first steps to rebuild it.
December 10, 2025 at 7:57 AM
The dismantling of youth provision was one of the most stupid, short sighted decisions of the coalition government. This looks like recognition of that and the first steps to rebuild it.
Fair enough, have just gone through his output and most isn’t and those pieces that are are reposts. So I apologise for that. It’s interesting that I didn’t see much of the rest of it so perhaps it doesn’t reach my timeline.
December 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Fair enough, have just gone through his output and most isn’t and those pieces that are are reposts. So I apologise for that. It’s interesting that I didn’t see much of the rest of it so perhaps it doesn’t reach my timeline.
Clearly not related in any way to any looming deadlines for release of legal papers that might incriminate
December 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Clearly not related in any way to any looming deadlines for release of legal papers that might incriminate
Sorry Peter, but Adam these days is definitely from the “gotcha” and “he didn’t deny it” school on here. If we want better politics, we need better journalism (which i know is your aim), and that involves an acceptance of what a government minister or spokesperson simply cannot say.
December 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Sorry Peter, but Adam these days is definitely from the “gotcha” and “he didn’t deny it” school on here. If we want better politics, we need better journalism (which i know is your aim), and that involves an acceptance of what a government minister or spokesperson simply cannot say.
I suspect it is just time. In the early stages of any productivity improvement it’s common to see bottlenecks appearing elsewhere. The key is to keep driving, aware of these issues, and see what happens in the secondary period, where we may well see accelerating gains as backlogs clear.
December 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I suspect it is just time. In the early stages of any productivity improvement it’s common to see bottlenecks appearing elsewhere. The key is to keep driving, aware of these issues, and see what happens in the secondary period, where we may well see accelerating gains as backlogs clear.
It wasn’t at the line until the Edinburgh lads came through. It was obvious on the replay what happened but good luck to you
December 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
It wasn’t at the line until the Edinburgh lads came through. It was obvious on the replay what happened but good luck to you
Wouldnt complain too much.
He has just given a howler of a decision against Serin, as it’s clear the Edinburgh guys knocked it over the line.
How does he manage it every game. 🤡
He has just given a howler of a decision against Serin, as it’s clear the Edinburgh guys knocked it over the line.
How does he manage it every game. 🤡
December 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Wouldnt complain too much.
He has just given a howler of a decision against Serin, as it’s clear the Edinburgh guys knocked it over the line.
How does he manage it every game. 🤡
He has just given a howler of a decision against Serin, as it’s clear the Edinburgh guys knocked it over the line.
How does he manage it every game. 🤡
Rory has some views that I strongly disagree with, unsurprisingly, because he is a Tory. He also has some views that I agree with. That is the point of the pod, to elicit dialogue on issues that people disagree on rather than shouting and cancelling whilst also recognising what they have in common.
December 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Rory has some views that I strongly disagree with, unsurprisingly, because he is a Tory. He also has some views that I agree with. That is the point of the pod, to elicit dialogue on issues that people disagree on rather than shouting and cancelling whilst also recognising what they have in common.
Bristol fan here. Knowing us, anything could happen, literally anything 🤣
December 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Bristol fan here. Knowing us, anything could happen, literally anything 🤣
How did Best Start family hubs scheme not get more media coverage. Everyone agrees that Sure Start was great. This needs shouting about big time.
December 5, 2025 at 8:53 AM
How did Best Start family hubs scheme not get more media coverage. Everyone agrees that Sure Start was great. This needs shouting about big time.
Awwww diddums 🤣🤣🤣
December 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Awwww diddums 🤣🤣🤣
What about the chess ? 🤣🤣🤣
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
What about the chess ? 🤣🤣🤣
Political parties should be funded by the state. Then any politician taking money for influence could be prosecuted and jailed as it would be clearly a bribe.
The problem is the public have been brainwashed into thinking it’s a bad idea by those who seek to influence politicians.
🤦♂️
The problem is the public have been brainwashed into thinking it’s a bad idea by those who seek to influence politicians.
🤦♂️
December 4, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Political parties should be funded by the state. Then any politician taking money for influence could be prosecuted and jailed as it would be clearly a bribe.
The problem is the public have been brainwashed into thinking it’s a bad idea by those who seek to influence politicians.
🤦♂️
The problem is the public have been brainwashed into thinking it’s a bad idea by those who seek to influence politicians.
🤦♂️
It’s not even subtle is it. 🤦♂️
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
It’s not even subtle is it. 🤦♂️
Another dodgy Tory, but a picture of Starmer.
December 3, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Another dodgy Tory, but a picture of Starmer.
Yes, Airbnb type lets are classed as furnished holiday lets so they don’t get charged the extra 2% income tax. I actually think the Budget was quite sensible given the circumstances, but this is a massive error, as it will bring about a move from rentals to holiday lets.
December 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Yes, Airbnb type lets are classed as furnished holiday lets so they don’t get charged the extra 2% income tax. I actually think the Budget was quite sensible given the circumstances, but this is a massive error, as it will bring about a move from rentals to holiday lets.
Yep, very much the case down here in North Devon. Holiday rentals have caused mayhem for ordinary working families who were in rentals. Post pandemic loads were evicted to profit from the boom,
December 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Yep, very much the case down here in North Devon. Holiday rentals have caused mayhem for ordinary working families who were in rentals. Post pandemic loads were evicted to profit from the boom,
It’s The Times, have you seen their Reeves Chess nonsense ?
December 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It’s The Times, have you seen their Reeves Chess nonsense ?