David Foster
@jckspk.bsky.social
Grandfather, pedestrian … but that’s enough about me ….
Concur. Boys play (outdoors in the street) in the 1950's (I was one) did involve a lot of 'soldiering' (and cowboys, by the way). Fuelled by comics and toys. I don't remember any mention of Nazis or Hitler - just Germans. Who were not really the bad guys to us at the time - just the 'other' side.
December 10, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Concur. Boys play (outdoors in the street) in the 1950's (I was one) did involve a lot of 'soldiering' (and cowboys, by the way). Fuelled by comics and toys. I don't remember any mention of Nazis or Hitler - just Germans. Who were not really the bad guys to us at the time - just the 'other' side.
Yes, it depends on the December, and the coat.
December 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Yes, it depends on the December, and the coat.
There's enough uncertainty in train times already.
December 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
There's enough uncertainty in train times already.
Any discussion of 'national service' needs to remember that when it comes to an existential crisis for a state everyone will inevitably be involved in the fighting to some degree. Training a cohort of young volunteers now cannot be allowed to distract us from the reality of what we might need to do.
December 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Any discussion of 'national service' needs to remember that when it comes to an existential crisis for a state everyone will inevitably be involved in the fighting to some degree. Training a cohort of young volunteers now cannot be allowed to distract us from the reality of what we might need to do.
I don't believe; but at least I know it is about a brown bloke called Joshua who was well educated in Judaism and liked all sorts of people.
December 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I don't believe; but at least I know it is about a brown bloke called Joshua who was well educated in Judaism and liked all sorts of people.
It doesn't have to be comprehensive, but it would have the most impact if interdependencies were shown as well as dependencies. People use the term supply chain loosely - there are no such things - they are an abstraction from complex supply networks, which include most people and most things.
December 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It doesn't have to be comprehensive, but it would have the most impact if interdependencies were shown as well as dependencies. People use the term supply chain loosely - there are no such things - they are an abstraction from complex supply networks, which include most people and most things.
Ideology has displaced rational analysis of strengths and weaknesses. They are giving up the high ground to China - unconsciously.
December 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Ideology has displaced rational analysis of strengths and weaknesses. They are giving up the high ground to China - unconsciously.
Try living without theory or concepts - it's chaotic. They get us in the right ballpark at least. But, I agree, how we then play the game is crucial - not least in taking account of the other team's intentions and actions - and the weather forecast....
December 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Try living without theory or concepts - it's chaotic. They get us in the right ballpark at least. But, I agree, how we then play the game is crucial - not least in taking account of the other team's intentions and actions - and the weather forecast....
The strategy document assumes a level of competence in the USG which it has not demonstrated so far. Possible effects of and reactions to executing elements are not addressed. Assumptions are not made clear and thus unexamined. The give away for me is the comment: "so called rules based order".
December 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The strategy document assumes a level of competence in the USG which it has not demonstrated so far. Possible effects of and reactions to executing elements are not addressed. Assumptions are not made clear and thus unexamined. The give away for me is the comment: "so called rules based order".
Thank you for highlighting this strategy. I have read it all and found it very accessible. One thing that immediately strikes me is that it assumes a set of cause and effect relationships without being explicit about those assumptions. Thus the set of possible outcomes and reactions is unexamined.
December 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Thank you for highlighting this strategy. I have read it all and found it very accessible. One thing that immediately strikes me is that it assumes a set of cause and effect relationships without being explicit about those assumptions. Thus the set of possible outcomes and reactions is unexamined.
Alex's point that reading comments can be very instructive chimed with my very recent realisation that we shouldn't let disagreement and irritation get in the way of at least noting what other people seem to be thinking. Even if 'wrong', or misled, those views will have political and social effect.
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Alex's point that reading comments can be very instructive chimed with my very recent realisation that we shouldn't let disagreement and irritation get in the way of at least noting what other people seem to be thinking. Even if 'wrong', or misled, those views will have political and social effect.
Thanks. While I feel strongly that leaving was a big mistake, I am not convinced that rejoining, even if possible, is the best goal now. I would welcome an increase in pragmatic plans. Any future 'relationship' will be a dynamic web of links at different levels, not a single multi-level treaty.
December 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Thanks. While I feel strongly that leaving was a big mistake, I am not convinced that rejoining, even if possible, is the best goal now. I would welcome an increase in pragmatic plans. Any future 'relationship' will be a dynamic web of links at different levels, not a single multi-level treaty.
Reposted by David Foster
Dogs of War by @aptshadow.bsky.social is a splendid book. It begins as a war story with bio-engineered animals and becomes much more.£2.29 though, it's been cheaper.
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
Dogs of War
Dogs of War eBook : Tchaikovsky, Adrian: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
www.amazon.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Dogs of War by @aptshadow.bsky.social is a splendid book. It begins as a war story with bio-engineered animals and becomes much more.£2.29 though, it's been cheaper.
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
Also, what about the Euro requirement?
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Also, what about the Euro requirement?
Thank you for taking the time to expand on your position. We'll probably have to leave it there for now as I don't share your view on the nature of this Government and if we try and discuss risks and their likelihood in this format I suspect we won't get very far into each others thinking.
December 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Thank you for taking the time to expand on your position. We'll probably have to leave it there for now as I don't share your view on the nature of this Government and if we try and discuss risks and their likelihood in this format I suspect we won't get very far into each others thinking.
Why, and how? I do appreciate there are risks to be managed, but is there any hard evidence of malign intent? I don't see the merit in avoiding integrating systems now to hedge against the possibility of an authoritarian government in future - we are way past the era of paper based admin silos.
December 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Why, and how? I do appreciate there are risks to be managed, but is there any hard evidence of malign intent? I don't see the merit in avoiding integrating systems now to hedge against the possibility of an authoritarian government in future - we are way past the era of paper based admin silos.
There are many arguments against a validated national ID system, and they are all missing the point. We need it, it's inevitable, and it will enhance, not limit, individual freedom. Also, it doesn't have to be delivered in a Big Bang, nor depend on one, vulnerable, database. One portal is the key.
December 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
There are many arguments against a validated national ID system, and they are all missing the point. We need it, it's inevitable, and it will enhance, not limit, individual freedom. Also, it doesn't have to be delivered in a Big Bang, nor depend on one, vulnerable, database. One portal is the key.
The rule for getting gold.
December 2, 2025 at 6:21 AM
The rule for getting gold.
I enjoyed the writing very much. As for the thoughts and ideas expressed, I found your communication of them touching and helpful to an old bloke like me, who is quite distant from your world of experience, and needs help to understand it better. Thank you.
December 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I enjoyed the writing very much. As for the thoughts and ideas expressed, I found your communication of them touching and helpful to an old bloke like me, who is quite distant from your world of experience, and needs help to understand it better. Thank you.
Good work. Go faster.
December 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Good work. Go faster.
They can only think in four letter words or less?
November 29, 2025 at 3:58 PM
They can only think in four letter words or less?
It all sounds very silly.
November 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
It all sounds very silly.
The first sentence in the first paragraph should clearly communicate the most important facts. Subsequent sentences will not be heard without assumptions and prejudices taking priority over reason.
November 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The first sentence in the first paragraph should clearly communicate the most important facts. Subsequent sentences will not be heard without assumptions and prejudices taking priority over reason.
I am sure that I am not the only old bloke with a house that considers it reasonable to be expected to use that asset for any care I need at the end, or to help people who need help. I put the notion of 'protecting' inheritance in the same bucket as private schooling: it's socially corrosive.
November 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I am sure that I am not the only old bloke with a house that considers it reasonable to be expected to use that asset for any care I need at the end, or to help people who need help. I put the notion of 'protecting' inheritance in the same bucket as private schooling: it's socially corrosive.