Frank Coughlan
@fmcomment.bsky.social
Irish Independent columnist. History, politics, books, Bowie, Beatles, football and mischief. TCD to MPhil. Wicklow, via Cork and Dublin.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Geert Wilders collapsed the Dutch government. He wanted power, but had no idea how to govern | Koen Vossen
Geert Wilders collapsed the Dutch government. He wanted power, but had no idea how to govern | Koen Vossen
The anti-Islam ideologue has exposed the limits of his insular, badly organised operation. For a ‘radical’, opposition is a much easier place, says political historian and author Koen Vossen
www.theguardian.com
June 12, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Geert Wilders collapsed the Dutch government. He wanted power, but had no idea how to govern | Koen Vossen
One of the true greats. RiP.
Breaking News: Brian Wilson has died
The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson Dies at 82
The beloved musician had been living with a neurocognative disorder akin to dementia
pitchfork.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
One of the true greats. RiP.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
When billion-dollar AIs break down over puzzles a child can do, it's time to rethink the hype | Gary Marcus
When billion-dollar AIs break down over puzzles a child can do, it's time to rethink the hype | Gary Marcus
The tech world is reeling from a paper that shows the powers of a new generation of AI have been wildly oversold, says cognitive scientist Gary Marcus
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
When billion-dollar AIs break down over puzzles a child can do, it's time to rethink the hype | Gary Marcus
210,000,000 votes on 3 elections. This is America. He's no mistake. Own him.
Trump says anybody who protests the military parade on Sunday will be met with “very heavy force”
June 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
210,000,000 votes on 3 elections. This is America. He's no mistake. Own him.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Truth-tellers, not rioters. Protect these two men at all costs.
“You feel tough with your assault rifles and your sticks. You should be standing here with us. You’re on the wrong side of history.”
“John Lewis said make good trouble… that means make trouble on behalf of democracy.”
“You feel tough with your assault rifles and your sticks. You should be standing here with us. You’re on the wrong side of history.”
“John Lewis said make good trouble… that means make trouble on behalf of democracy.”
June 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Truth-tellers, not rioters. Protect these two men at all costs.
“You feel tough with your assault rifles and your sticks. You should be standing here with us. You’re on the wrong side of history.”
“John Lewis said make good trouble… that means make trouble on behalf of democracy.”
“You feel tough with your assault rifles and your sticks. You should be standing here with us. You’re on the wrong side of history.”
“John Lewis said make good trouble… that means make trouble on behalf of democracy.”
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Excellent.
More than 40 Russian warplanes are burning after a mass Ukrainian drone attack
kyivindependent.com/enemy-bomber...
kyivindependent.com/enemy-bomber...
'Russian bombers are burning en masse' — Ukraine's SBU drones hit 'more than 40' aircraft in mass attack, source claims
"Currently, more than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3," a source told the Kyiv Independent.
kyivindependent.com
June 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Excellent.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
If Westminster rule delivers terrible outcomes under the Tories, no discernible philosophy or change under Labour, and the prospect of Farage as Prime Minister, what exactly is the case for Scotland remaining part of the UK?
June 1, 2025 at 7:51 AM
If Westminster rule delivers terrible outcomes under the Tories, no discernible philosophy or change under Labour, and the prospect of Farage as Prime Minister, what exactly is the case for Scotland remaining part of the UK?
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
The profoundest implications of Gerry Adams' Dublin court victory over the BBC may be borne not by British licence fee payers, but by the Irish public. Geoblocking BBC content to Ireland is now being discussed...and it hurts the Irish unity campaign.
The consequences of landmark Gerry Adams trial verdict – and why they could be felt most by the Irish public
Inside the BBC, Gerry Adams’s libel victory in Dublin’s High Court immediately prompted radical thinking. Few in the Republic yet realise that the most profound implications of this case could be bor...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
June 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The profoundest implications of Gerry Adams' Dublin court victory over the BBC may be borne not by British licence fee payers, but by the Irish public. Geoblocking BBC content to Ireland is now being discussed...and it hurts the Irish unity campaign.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
He’s right.
May 31, 2025 at 7:11 PM
He’s right.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
May 31, 2025 at 4:43 AM
There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.
North Korean and Chinese mercenaries. Fierce men for the duty free.
Russian airlines' passenger traffic up 2.7% year on year in April, Rosaviatsia says reut.rs/3HgzbpI
Russian airlines' passenger traffic up 2.7% year on year in April, Rosaviatsia says
Russian airlines carried 8.4 million passengers in April 2025, up 2.7% year-on-year, national aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said on Friday on its Telegram channel.
reut.rs
May 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
North Korean and Chinese mercenaries. Fierce men for the duty free.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Old, but 24ct gold.
May 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Old, but 24ct gold.
Disgusting. Watch him use this to launch run for Aras.
BREAKING: Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams wins a libel suit against the BBC over a claim he authorized the killing of an informant and is awarded 100,000 euros in damages.
Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams wins libel lawsuit against BBC
Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has won a libel suit against BBC over a claim he authorized the killing of an informant.
bit.ly
May 30, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Disgusting. Watch him use this to launch run for Aras.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Germany’s culture ministry is drafting a bill that would introduce a levy of 10 percent on big digital platforms that use media content.
Berlin drafts bill to tax digital platforms
“We consider a tax rate of 10 percent to be moderate and legitimate,” Germany’s culture minister said.
www.politico.eu
May 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Germany’s culture ministry is drafting a bill that would introduce a levy of 10 percent on big digital platforms that use media content.
Simple. Lousy public education. Worst literacy in OECD; 54% of US adults reading ability of 12 year old. These are the choices uber capitalism makes.
How the hell did we let this happen as a country? All of our top health officials are fucking anti-science cranks.
FDA Commissioner Makary: "By the way, America doesn't want covid boosters."
May 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Simple. Lousy public education. Worst literacy in OECD; 54% of US adults reading ability of 12 year old. These are the choices uber capitalism makes.
Awful goal, rubbish teams, poor match.
GOL DO TOTTENHAM
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
⚽️ Brennan Johnson
🅰️ -
🏆 Europa League
Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
⚽️ Brennan Johnson
🅰️ -
🏆 Europa League
May 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Awful goal, rubbish teams, poor match.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
The new pope wants to host Ukraine peace talks after a summit in Istanbul failed to bring together the main players in the conflict.
Pope Leo offers Vatican for Ukraine peace talks
The Holy See’s top diplomat said the failure of this week’s Russia-Ukraine meeting in Istanbul was “tragic.”
ow.ly
May 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The new pope wants to host Ukraine peace talks after a summit in Istanbul failed to bring together the main players in the conflict.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
China has warned Britain over the terms of Sir Keir Starmer’s trade deal with the US, claiming it may force UK companies to cut Chinese products out of their supply chains
China warns Britain over US-UK trade deal
Beijing fears the agreement will harm its interests, as concerns rise about China’s influence on Britain’s supply chains
www.thetimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
China has warned Britain over the terms of Sir Keir Starmer’s trade deal with the US, claiming it may force UK companies to cut Chinese products out of their supply chains
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
If Elon Musk continues to dominate the space-based internet, he could end up with more power over information than anyone in history, writes Ross Andersen:
Elon Musk’s Most Alarming Power Grab
Can anyone stop his space-based internet?
bit.ly
May 14, 2025 at 7:15 AM
If Elon Musk continues to dominate the space-based internet, he could end up with more power over information than anyone in history, writes Ross Andersen:
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
A president who governs by “Executive Orders” is weak, not strong.
May 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
A president who governs by “Executive Orders” is weak, not strong.
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
Since I administered the WH emoluments rules, let me explain why this is forbidden
Trump expressed interest in it before it was offered
He is going to use & benefit from it a while in office
And he's going to keep using it after he leaves!
Functionally, it's a gift to him & so it's illegal
Trump expressed interest in it before it was offered
He is going to use & benefit from it a while in office
And he's going to keep using it after he leaves!
Functionally, it's a gift to him & so it's illegal
Overseeing the presidential gift rules was among my duties as White House Ethics Czar -- so I know how it's supposed to work
The gift of this plane to Trump is illegal & unconstitutional
The AG & the WH Counsel oughtta be ashamed of themselves for allowing it
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
The gift of this plane to Trump is illegal & unconstitutional
The AG & the WH Counsel oughtta be ashamed of themselves for allowing it
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
Trump administration poised to accept 'palace in the sky' as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources
President Trump poised to accept "palace in the sky" as a gift from Qatar: Sources
abcnews.go.com
May 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Since I administered the WH emoluments rules, let me explain why this is forbidden
Trump expressed interest in it before it was offered
He is going to use & benefit from it a while in office
And he's going to keep using it after he leaves!
Functionally, it's a gift to him & so it's illegal
Trump expressed interest in it before it was offered
He is going to use & benefit from it a while in office
And he's going to keep using it after he leaves!
Functionally, it's a gift to him & so it's illegal
Reposted by Frank Coughlan
"Pope Leo XIV is everything Trump is not: a voice for the masses.
Like Francis, the new pope intends to champion the needy — and present an alternative America to the one desecrated by its president" | ✍️
AN Wilson
Like Francis, the new pope intends to champion the needy — and present an alternative America to the one desecrated by its president" | ✍️
AN Wilson
Pope Leo XIV is everything Trump is not: a voice for the masses
Like Francis, the new pope intends to champion the needy — and present an alternative America to the one desecrated by its president
www.thetimes.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
"Pope Leo XIV is everything Trump is not: a voice for the masses.
Like Francis, the new pope intends to champion the needy — and present an alternative America to the one desecrated by its president" | ✍️
AN Wilson
Like Francis, the new pope intends to champion the needy — and present an alternative America to the one desecrated by its president" | ✍️
AN Wilson
MAGA upset Pope is a Catholic.
May 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
MAGA upset Pope is a Catholic.