Brian Barnard
@brianbarnard.bsky.social
Ex-university administrator. Chelsea fan since 1956. Arts lover. Europhile. Believe in rule of law, but tempered by morality.
Reposted by Brian Barnard
This short Twitter exchange illustrates perfectly just how far the Tories have fallen compared to even a few years ago...
August 15, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This short Twitter exchange illustrates perfectly just how far the Tories have fallen compared to even a few years ago...
Reposted by Brian Barnard
It’s pretty alarming that this is still how Trump sees things
August 12, 2025 at 7:12 AM
It’s pretty alarming that this is still how Trump sees things
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Letter of the day (in the Times)
August 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Letter of the day (in the Times)
Truth Social's new chatbot keeps contradicting Trump's lies. That's the trouble with AI, it's got a mind of its own. You never know what it's going to say next. What a hoot!
New: The new "Truth Search AI" tool on Trump's social network keeps contradicting Trump.
Says the 2020 election wasn't stolen, crime in D.C. isn't out of control, tariffs are a tax, Jan. 6 was an insurrection, and Obama has "highest favorability" rating of all living presidents
wapo.st/3HpR2uG
Says the 2020 election wasn't stolen, crime in D.C. isn't out of control, tariffs are a tax, Jan. 6 was an insurrection, and Obama has "highest favorability" rating of all living presidents
wapo.st/3HpR2uG
![Was the 2020 election stolen?
No, the 2020 U.S. presidential election was not stolen. Multiple independent investigations, court rulings, and reports—including those authored by prominent conservatives and state governors—found no substantial evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities that would have changed the outcome of the election[1][2][5].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j5fbnzh57rn7xz65yjc36gxb/bafkreibdj3zqrcodenijm4evqzi2rd7du4inzqurojrsa5e7nhauuvo5o4@jpeg)
![Is crime in Washington, D.C., totally out of control?
Crime in Washington, D.C. is not "totally out of control," but there has been significant concern about crime rates, leading to increased federal intervention and public attention[1]. Nationally, both the FBI and DOJ report substantial declines in violent crime, homicides, and other serious offenses through 2024—though certain measures remain higher than pre-pandemic levels[2][3][4][5].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j5fbnzh57rn7xz65yjc36gxb/bafkreihmniiihryxidi2vilogoaqvgwwpb7qmjvle2ctw4nptqqpuw2yxi@jpeg)
![Are tariffs a tax on American people?
Tariffs are a type of tax imposed on imported goods, and their cost is typically passed on to American consumers through higher prices. Most economists and tax experts agree that although tariffs are charged to importers, the increased costs are routinely absorbed by businesses and ultimately by consumers in the form of higher retail prices[2][4][3]. This results in tariffs functioning as an indirect tax on Americans.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j5fbnzh57rn7xz65yjc36gxb/bafkreigygjp2c2q3k4ddsbp5y3xxmhx33p2shr4m7twfdhwfncfzpyfaai@jpeg)
![What happened on January 6, 2021?
On January 6, 2021, a large group of supporters of then-President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., disrupting the formal certification of the 2020 presidential election results by Congress[1][2]. The event, commonly referred to as the January 6 Capitol riot or insurrection, resulted in violence, deaths, extensive investigations, and significant political fallout, including a second impeachment of President Trump[1][2].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j5fbnzh57rn7xz65yjc36gxb/bafkreiewxhwef7stpmkxnw7qhbz6wfuzgqze3g63zjezto4vvpqskeeub4@jpeg)
August 11, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Truth Social's new chatbot keeps contradicting Trump's lies. That's the trouble with AI, it's got a mind of its own. You never know what it's going to say next. What a hoot!
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Reposted by Brian Barnard
April 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Trump pauses the tariffs, stock markets, after sinking, rally and the world breathes a sigh of relief.
A thought (non-defamatory naturally): is anyone monitoring Trump's and his family's stock dealings in recent days?
A thought (non-defamatory naturally): is anyone monitoring Trump's and his family's stock dealings in recent days?
April 10, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Trump pauses the tariffs, stock markets, after sinking, rally and the world breathes a sigh of relief.
A thought (non-defamatory naturally): is anyone monitoring Trump's and his family's stock dealings in recent days?
A thought (non-defamatory naturally): is anyone monitoring Trump's and his family's stock dealings in recent days?
Very clear explanation of why Trump's foolish fiscal policies endanger the $'s status as the global reserve currency which will in turn affect its geopolitical power and influence. Easily understood even by someone like me with a shaky understanding of international economics.
www.ft.com/content/8a71... Excellent historical perspective by @B_Eichengreen on the risks surrounding the $.
Can the dollar remain king of currencies?
The greenback’s dominance was forged on trade, alliances and institutions — now that era is at risk of drawing to a close
www.ft.com
March 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Very clear explanation of why Trump's foolish fiscal policies endanger the $'s status as the global reserve currency which will in turn affect its geopolitical power and influence. Easily understood even by someone like me with a shaky understanding of international economics.
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Farage is not the messiah, says very naughty boy
NEW: Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe reported to police by party over alleged threats of physical violence against party chair Zia Yusaf - and has also been accused of bullying staff.
He denies claims, which come just 24 hours after he called Nigel Farage the “messianic” leader of a protest party.
He denies claims, which come just 24 hours after he called Nigel Farage the “messianic” leader of a protest party.
March 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Farage is not the messiah, says very naughty boy
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Cheap piece of meat with lots of fat!
January 22, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Cheap piece of meat with lots of fat!
Good analogy, Edwin. Wd let ReformUK in? Instead of retaining a system rigged to keep them out, address the real grievances ReformUK voters have -- including perception electoral system is rigged against them. Naive? Maybe, but what's a better solution?
Fix the two-party system before someone turns it into a one-party system, or it'll be game over for good.
PR is like a seatbelt. You don't need it - until you're heading through the political windscreen at 60mph.
And when the realisation finally dawns on you it's the last insight you'll ever have.
PR is like a seatbelt. You don't need it - until you're heading through the political windscreen at 60mph.
And when the realisation finally dawns on you it's the last insight you'll ever have.
January 27, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Good analogy, Edwin. Wd let ReformUK in? Instead of retaining a system rigged to keep them out, address the real grievances ReformUK voters have -- including perception electoral system is rigged against them. Naive? Maybe, but what's a better solution?
Reposted by Brian Barnard
So apparently Labour decided to spaff £22 billion on unproven carbon capture and storage technology after only consulting with fossil fuel companies.
That's like sitting down with butchers to plan a vegan menu.
Every day, they find new ways to disappoint.
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
That's like sitting down with butchers to plan a vegan menu.
Every day, they find new ways to disappoint.
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
January 24, 2025 at 11:18 PM
So apparently Labour decided to spaff £22 billion on unproven carbon capture and storage technology after only consulting with fossil fuel companies.
That's like sitting down with butchers to plan a vegan menu.
Every day, they find new ways to disappoint.
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
That's like sitting down with butchers to plan a vegan menu.
Every day, they find new ways to disappoint.
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
Reposted by Brian Barnard
I don’t know who this Bryan Johnson is.
I presume he’s not the much loved dead cricket commentator.
BUT monitoring your son’s nighttime erections?
I’m afraid this is what Britain has become under a Labour govt.😔
I blame Rachel Reeves.
Sort it out Starmer!!!
😡
I presume he’s not the much loved dead cricket commentator.
BUT monitoring your son’s nighttime erections?
I’m afraid this is what Britain has become under a Labour govt.😔
I blame Rachel Reeves.
Sort it out Starmer!!!
😡
January 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I don’t know who this Bryan Johnson is.
I presume he’s not the much loved dead cricket commentator.
BUT monitoring your son’s nighttime erections?
I’m afraid this is what Britain has become under a Labour govt.😔
I blame Rachel Reeves.
Sort it out Starmer!!!
😡
I presume he’s not the much loved dead cricket commentator.
BUT monitoring your son’s nighttime erections?
I’m afraid this is what Britain has become under a Labour govt.😔
I blame Rachel Reeves.
Sort it out Starmer!!!
😡
Reposted by Brian Barnard
Power through the self importance and the ghoulish pomposity of this paragraph, and at the end there’s that little racist kicker. This is not THE COUNTRY THE KILLER COMES FROM DID I MENTION HE WAS FOREIGN
Allison Pearson is pissed off that the Southport murderer has pleaded guilty and the witnesses will now be spared having to relive their ordeal in court because she wanted her chance to write about a trial.
January 23, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Power through the self importance and the ghoulish pomposity of this paragraph, and at the end there’s that little racist kicker. This is not THE COUNTRY THE KILLER COMES FROM DID I MENTION HE WAS FOREIGN
Reposted by Brian Barnard
The thread on one page: skywriter.blue/pages/george...
Page by George Monbiot | @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
1. The UK government’s pursuit of GDP growth at all costs is an assault on our natural wealth, which will impoverish us all. It might be able to massage the headline figures by converting the living w...
skywriter.blue
January 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
The thread on one page: skywriter.blue/pages/george...
Reposted by Brian Barnard
and these guys want to invade Greenland?
Trump just announced he is moving the inauguration indoors because it’s going to be cold outside.
Trump’s inauguration to be moved indoors | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be moved indoors, he announced Friday, due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in the nation’s capital.
www.cnn.com
January 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
and these guys want to invade Greenland?