Karen D
@kardray.bsky.social
Very tired Yorks/Strayan recluse living in South Devon. Pathological reader with enough books (I’m re-reading). Somewhat scattered in my interests with an overdeveloped sense of the ridiculous and an abiding interest in politics.
She/her
She/her
Reposted by Karen D
I'm taking🌲etsy orders for just a few more days:
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I'm taking🌲etsy orders for just a few more days:
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Reposted by Karen D
When asylum seekers are demonised I feel the need to point out that people like me are the children of asylum seekers (in my case my father came to England on the Kindertransport and my mother’s family fled pograms in Poland and Ukraine). Go home when safe? Hmmmmmmm….
November 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
When asylum seekers are demonised I feel the need to point out that people like me are the children of asylum seekers (in my case my father came to England on the Kindertransport and my mother’s family fled pograms in Poland and Ukraine). Go home when safe? Hmmmmmmm….
Reposted by Karen D
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms
Treasury select committee calls for higher duties on most addictive forms, such as high-street slots and online games
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:24 AM
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Reposted by Karen D
Mo Farah would not have been a British citizen for the 2012 Olympics if Labour had introduced their new asylum plan.
Mo Farah, trafficked to UK aged 9 in 1992. Teacher Alan Watkinson secures citizenship after 8 years here, 2000 (aged 17) so he could travel abroad as GB athlete
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Under future rules
Renew status? 1995, 98 x6
Eligible settlement after 20 years (2012)
Citizenship 2013
news.sky.com/story/sir-mo...
Sir Mo Farah reveals 'the truth' about how he came to the UK
The Olympic star was warned speaking out could put his British citizenship at "real risk" - but it is understood the Home Office is taking no action against him.
news.sky.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Mo Farah would not have been a British citizen for the 2012 Olympics if Labour had introduced their new asylum plan.
Reposted by Karen D
When right-wingers talk about how easy some nebulous group of sponging “others” have it compared to the ordinary decent hardworking citizen, the easy question to ask is “would you want to swap places with one?” And they wouldn’t ever want to. So that’s that problem dealt with. Next issue, please.
November 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM
When right-wingers talk about how easy some nebulous group of sponging “others” have it compared to the ordinary decent hardworking citizen, the easy question to ask is “would you want to swap places with one?” And they wouldn’t ever want to. So that’s that problem dealt with. Next issue, please.
Reposted by Karen D
Who can forget the harrowing Public Information film on the subject? That freeze frame of the horrified face at the end, hands to mouth, eyes wide. “BILLYYYYY! NOOOO!” And Patrick Allen’s voiceover: “DON’T put your elbows on the table!” Scarring stuff.
Reflecting on my childhood, I can’t help but think that the effects of putting my elbows on the table were somewhat overstated.
November 16, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Who can forget the harrowing Public Information film on the subject? That freeze frame of the horrified face at the end, hands to mouth, eyes wide. “BILLYYYYY! NOOOO!” And Patrick Allen’s voiceover: “DON’T put your elbows on the table!” Scarring stuff.
Reposted by Karen D
please don't do this. MAGA hats are made from an acrylic blend, which will release toxic chemicals when set on fire, potentially harming you and downwind woodland creatures
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM
please don't do this. MAGA hats are made from an acrylic blend, which will release toxic chemicals when set on fire, potentially harming you and downwind woodland creatures
Reposted by Karen D
In 2023-24 HMRC issued 456 penalties to wealthy individuals for £5.8m, 25 prosecuted.
Tax scams designed by accountants, lawyers; five prosecutions in 2023-2024.
Govt taking powers to snoop on benefit claimants' bank accounts; mainly poor, old, sick. Nothing equivalent on tax abuse industry.
Tax scams designed by accountants, lawyers; five prosecutions in 2023-2024.
Govt taking powers to snoop on benefit claimants' bank accounts; mainly poor, old, sick. Nothing equivalent on tax abuse industry.
Nothing will change until the political system is freed from the clutches of corporations and the super-rich
The law is being used to enforce existing power structures for the benefit of the few
leftfootforward.org
November 16, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In 2023-24 HMRC issued 456 penalties to wealthy individuals for £5.8m, 25 prosecuted.
Tax scams designed by accountants, lawyers; five prosecutions in 2023-2024.
Govt taking powers to snoop on benefit claimants' bank accounts; mainly poor, old, sick. Nothing equivalent on tax abuse industry.
Tax scams designed by accountants, lawyers; five prosecutions in 2023-2024.
Govt taking powers to snoop on benefit claimants' bank accounts; mainly poor, old, sick. Nothing equivalent on tax abuse industry.
Reposted by Karen D
good morning from the village antique market
November 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
good morning from the village antique market
Reposted by Karen D
If you’re feeling a bit sad it might help a little to know that this painting exists. It’s called Dynamism of a dog on a leash, by Giacomo Galla, 1912:
November 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
If you’re feeling a bit sad it might help a little to know that this painting exists. It’s called Dynamism of a dog on a leash, by Giacomo Galla, 1912:
Reposted by Karen D
I’m getting a bit irritated by this new catch phrase… I’m worried about white supremacy snuggling up to fascism…so yeah, social cohesion, I guess
They asked me if I was concerned about “social cohesion” in society. When I asked what they meant by that term they refused to say.
But next few minutes they said their biggest concern for “our country” was “social cohesion”.
I have a feeling this is code for #racism.
Can anyone explain?
2/2
But next few minutes they said their biggest concern for “our country” was “social cohesion”.
I have a feeling this is code for #racism.
Can anyone explain?
2/2
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I’m getting a bit irritated by this new catch phrase… I’m worried about white supremacy snuggling up to fascism…so yeah, social cohesion, I guess
Reposted by Karen D
Everything on our news agenda is being driven by a corrupted disinformation machine, run by a billionaire who sponsors Tommy Robinson and who keeps trying to foment civil war in the UK.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Everything on our news agenda is being driven by a corrupted disinformation machine, run by a billionaire who sponsors Tommy Robinson and who keeps trying to foment civil war in the UK.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
Reposted by Karen D
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Just some British patriots in Benidorm, taking over a street in Spain to shout in their own language about unwanted foreigners. It’s a blessing that they are too thick to understand irony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Reposted by Karen D
Labour’s latest attack on asylum seekers is cruel & counterproductive. How does it help community cohesion to hold threat of deportation over vulnerable people? We don’t need an arms race with the hard right over asylum, we need safe routes & European cooperation #bbclaurak
November 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Labour’s latest attack on asylum seekers is cruel & counterproductive. How does it help community cohesion to hold threat of deportation over vulnerable people? We don’t need an arms race with the hard right over asylum, we need safe routes & European cooperation #bbclaurak
Reposted by Karen D
If I came from a family that has held a seat in House of Lords for 7 generations and used it to protect their vast empire from Tax and Inheritance Tax.
I probably wouldn't be complaining about free bus passes for Senior Citizens.
You'd look ridiculous.
I probably wouldn't be complaining about free bus passes for Senior Citizens.
You'd look ridiculous.
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
If I came from a family that has held a seat in House of Lords for 7 generations and used it to protect their vast empire from Tax and Inheritance Tax.
I probably wouldn't be complaining about free bus passes for Senior Citizens.
You'd look ridiculous.
I probably wouldn't be complaining about free bus passes for Senior Citizens.
You'd look ridiculous.
Reposted by Karen D
The government just keeps doubling down on the strategy that’s taken it to genuinely historical unpopularity ever harder.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
the video goes on and on about illegal immigration and yet the new proposal will target legal migration by confirmed refugees
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The government just keeps doubling down on the strategy that’s taken it to genuinely historical unpopularity ever harder.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
The horse will be flogged until it sprints.
Reposted by Karen D
Public health seems to think people already know what measles does. They don't. Before vaccines people definitely know what measles did, and how many children and adults it killed either directly or through immune damage that left people open to subsequent infections. Explain it for crying out loud.
November 15, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Public health seems to think people already know what measles does. They don't. Before vaccines people definitely know what measles did, and how many children and adults it killed either directly or through immune damage that left people open to subsequent infections. Explain it for crying out loud.
Reposted by Karen D
Brazil didn’t stop at sentencing former president Bolsanaro to 27 years for an attempted coup; his entire inner circle—from the vice president and the military commander to the intelligence chief and even his son—are also facing decades in prison.
America, this is what democracy looks like.
America, this is what democracy looks like.
November 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Brazil didn’t stop at sentencing former president Bolsanaro to 27 years for an attempted coup; his entire inner circle—from the vice president and the military commander to the intelligence chief and even his son—are also facing decades in prison.
America, this is what democracy looks like.
America, this is what democracy looks like.
Reposted by Karen D
A maximum wage, indexed at 5 times the minimum wage. So if CEOs want to earn more, they have to raise the minimum as well.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM
A maximum wage, indexed at 5 times the minimum wage. So if CEOs want to earn more, they have to raise the minimum as well.
Reposted by Karen D
too much of the economy now is not built around solving a problem or meeting a need
November 15, 2025 at 6:49 PM
too much of the economy now is not built around solving a problem or meeting a need
Reposted by Karen D
@mattpolprof.bsky.social wrote about how the core emotional appeal of reactionary thought is it lets you feel like a conquering king and put-upon victim at the same time
a border patrol agent literally crying to the cops about being doxed? yes. this.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-modern-f...
a border patrol agent literally crying to the cops about being doxed? yes. this.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-modern-f...
November 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
@mattpolprof.bsky.social wrote about how the core emotional appeal of reactionary thought is it lets you feel like a conquering king and put-upon victim at the same time
a border patrol agent literally crying to the cops about being doxed? yes. this.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-modern-f...
a border patrol agent literally crying to the cops about being doxed? yes. this.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-modern-f...
Reposted by Karen D
Would you rather pay £174.50 to make Donald Trump richer still or to watch Strictly, Call the Midwife, & Traitors, & listen to BBC Radio 2? If you want the bullying narcissist to get the whole of next year’s BBC budget you have the UK’s right wing media mafia to thank.
November 15, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Would you rather pay £174.50 to make Donald Trump richer still or to watch Strictly, Call the Midwife, & Traitors, & listen to BBC Radio 2? If you want the bullying narcissist to get the whole of next year’s BBC budget you have the UK’s right wing media mafia to thank.
Reposted by Karen D
(The Kindertransport actually was supposed to be a return ticket — the children had to have £50 of their own or from a sponsor, to fund their leaving once it was deemed safe to do so — but that’s absolutely not the popular memory of the scheme, which tells us a lot about humanitarian imagination…)
November 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
(The Kindertransport actually was supposed to be a return ticket — the children had to have £50 of their own or from a sponsor, to fund their leaving once it was deemed safe to do so — but that’s absolutely not the popular memory of the scheme, which tells us a lot about humanitarian imagination…)
Reposted by Karen D
Have you seen this?
November 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Have you seen this?
Reposted by Karen D
