Melanie
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melaniesg.bsky.social
Melanie
@melaniesg.bsky.social
270 followers 640 following 9 posts
Dog fan who likes laughing
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Reposted by Melanie
jdportes.bsky.social
No surprise that Ed West thinks you have to be white for London to be "your city", but still shocking that the *London* Standard prints this stuff.

[NB 1/2 of Londoners born in 2000 were not "white British"]

www.standard.co.uk/comment/gen-...
If you’re a Briton born in 2000, and especially if you’re from London, you will also be strongly aware of a loss of patrimony. You are now priced out of your own city, which has become notably alien, declining from being over 70 per cent white British at the time of Blair’s election to just over a third today.
December 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Melanie
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
BREAKING: Work & Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden rules out a customs union with the EU to promote economic growth
December 7, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by Melanie
joxley.jmoxley.co.uk
Read this -
rikefranke.bsky.social Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 10h
I re-read the 2017 Trump I National Security Strategy and the differences to the 2025 strategy are really striking. This reads like a document from different times

trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/u...
December 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Melanie
rikefranke.bsky.social
Trump I strategy from 2017:
“Societies that empower women to participate fully in civic and economic life are more prosperous and peace-ful.“

“No nation can unilaterally alleviate all human suffering, but just because we cannot help everyone does not mean that we should stop trying to help anyone.”
No nation can unilaterally alleviate all human suffering, but just because we cannot help every- one does not mean that we should stop trying to help anyone. For much of the world, America's liberties are inspirational, and the United States will always stand with those who seek free- dom. We will remain a beacon of liberty and opportunity around the world. EMPOWER WOMEN AND YOUTH: Societies that empower women to participate fully in civic and economic life are more prosperous and peace-ful. We will support efforts to advance women's equality, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote women and youth empowerment programs.
December 7, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Reposted by Melanie
rikefranke.bsky.social
“The US will work with the European Union”

“A strong and free Europe is of vital importance to the United States. …Russia is using subversive measures to weaken the credibility of America's commitment to Europe, undermine transatlantic unity, and weaken European institutions and governments.”
Priority Actions POLITICAL: The United States will deepen collaboration with our European allies and partners to confront forces threatening to undermine our common values, security interests, and shared vision. The United States and Europe will work together to counter Russian subversion and aggression, and the threats posed by North Korea and Iran. We will continue to advance our shared principles and interests in international forums. ECONOMIC: The United States will work with the European Union, and bilaterally with the United Kingdom and other states, to ensure fair and reciprocal trade practices and eliminate barriers to A strong and free Europe is of vital importance to the United States. We are bound together by our shared commitment to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. Together, we rebuilt Western Europe after World War II and created institutions that produced stability and wealth on both sides of the Atlantic. Today, Europe is one of the most prosperous regions in the world and our most significant trading partner. Although the menace of Soviet communism is gone, new threats test our will. Russia is using subversive measures to weaken the credibility of America's commitment to Europe, undermine transatlantic unity, and weaken European institutions and governments.
December 7, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Reposted by Melanie
rikefranke.bsky.social
I re-read the 2017 Trump I National Security Strategy and the differences to the 2025 strategy are really striking. This reads like a document from different times

trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/u...
December 7, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Reposted by Melanie
ottoenglish.bsky.social
Russia cannot be beaten.

"But Putin can. He’s losing, not winning. And sooner or later, like the tsars and totalitarians of old, that same eternal Russia whose name he glorifies will chew him up and spit him out."

Outstanding piece on Putin's deluded gambit.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Putin should have accepted Trump’s deal. Now Russia’s collapsing economy could lead to his downfall | Simon Tisdall
The war against Ukraine has hit ordinary Russians hard, and the deteriorating situation is likely to inflame tensions, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Melanie
peterwalker99.bsky.social
Pat McFadden on Sky asked about latest rumour that Unite might disaffiliate from Labour [to be read out mentally in a voice that is utterly deadpan even by Pat McF standards]: “I think I read this story every few months. Maybe it’s true this time. I would regret it, but we would survive and go on.”
December 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Melanie
acyn.bsky.social
Mamdani: Oftentimes when we win elections, we tell people to go home and just trust us. But the message really has to be that we want you to come along with us… That’s something we’ve been looking to share with New Yorkers: We want to not only win with New Yorkers, but also govern with New Yorkers.
December 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Melanie
peterjukes.bsky.social
Musk, Medvedev and the Long War on Europe

Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk in a call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare since Ukraine’s EU Maidan, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses

pdjukes.substack.com/p/musk-medve...
Musk, Medvedev and the Long War on Europe
Dmitry Medvedev joining Elon Musk post in call for the abolition of the EU captures fifteen years of Kremlin information warfare, and encapsulates the story of Trojan Horses
pdjukes.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Melanie
lorak.bsky.social
Elon Musk is against the European Union being the European Union —he posted this after X (fka Twitter) was fined for violations of the EU’s Digital Services Act.
“The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people”
December 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Melanie
gilduran.com
The radicalization of Silicon Valley is the subject of my forthcoming book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy."

It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
The Nerd Reich
A fearless and urgent chronicle of the tech-authoritarian movement from its early days in San Francisco politics to its current moment on the inter...
www.simonandschuster.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Reposted by Melanie
gilduran.com
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.

“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.

This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:

www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings
Silicon Valley radicalization escalates
www.thenerdreich.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Melanie
ianpatterson.com
Two invasive drone attacks in Western Europe this week should be bigger news: the incursion into closed Irish airspace as Zelensky was due to land (his plane was early - so the potential assassination attempt missed), and into the French nuclear missile submarine base.
www.ft.com/content/1d3f...
France intercepted drones flying over nuclear base, defence minister says
Europe on high alert for foreign interference as Irish police probe drone incursion against Ukrainian president’s plane
www.ft.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Reposted by Melanie
t0nyyates.bsky.social
Kind of surprised that Farage is so rattled by these revelations. He obviously worries that the 'it was 50 years ago, we all say things, it wasn't that bad' defence isn't working.
December 6, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by Melanie
jennanewman.bsky.social
“When participants used ChatGPT to draft essays, brain scans revealed a 47% drop in neural connectivity across regions associated with memory, language, & critical reasoning.

Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
“When participants used ChatGPT to draft essays, brain scans revealed a 47 percent drop in neural connectivity across regions associated with memory, language, and critical reasoning. Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage. Eighty-three percent of heavy Al users couldn't recall key points from what they'd "written, compared to only 10 percent of those who composed unaided. Neutral reviewers described the Al-assisted writing as "soulless, empty, lacking individuality." Most alarmingly, after four months of reliance on Chat GPT, participants wrote worse once it was removed than those who had never used it at all. The study warns that when writing is delegated to Al, the way people learn fundamentally changes.”
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Melanie
aeonmach.bsky.social
This (from 6 years ago) really does stand up VERY well: capturing Lab success even as their vote ⬇️ (split opposition) & for the system to extravagantly reward mad random rolls of the dice…
…and the potential for the then Brexit Party - now Reform Ltd - to win big if the right wing isn’t so split.
gilesyb.bsky.social Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 1d
wp.me/pDsIG-Tu

Six years ago I did an analysis showing how loopy our electoral system is when everyone is near level pegging

"at around 20% the Brexit Party explodes into the Commons, effectively taking over from a Conservatives already gravely weakened by the loss of voters to the LibDems" 1/
The voting system drives our politicians mad
After the first big Brexit Postponement, the Euro elections and all that excitement, the day job in No10 became somewhat dull. There are limits to what an administration that is definitely, unavoid…
wp.me
December 6, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Melanie
gilesyb.bsky.social
wp.me/pDsIG-Tu

Six years ago I did an analysis showing how loopy our electoral system is when everyone is near level pegging

"at around 20% the Brexit Party explodes into the Commons, effectively taking over from a Conservatives already gravely weakened by the loss of voters to the LibDems" 1/
The voting system drives our politicians mad
After the first big Brexit Postponement, the Euro elections and all that excitement, the day job in No10 became somewhat dull. There are limits to what an administration that is definitely, unavoid…
wp.me
December 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Melanie
aloner.bsky.social
A (little) timeline cleanse: Meet the tardigrade,“the most mind-expanding animal in the microcosmos”. The @prospectmagazine.co.uk offices have been abuzz with incredible facts about tardigrades all week, thanks to this utterly magical piece by Lucy Jones

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/enviro...
What is a tardigrade?
This tiny, complex invertebrate is the most mind-expanding animal in the microcosmos
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Melanie
snig.bsky.social
17 year old Nigel Farage targeted 9 year old Yinka Bankole and repeatedly and systematically racially harassed him for a year. “Where are you from?” Farage asked. “That’s the way back to Africa” with an accompanying hand gesture pointing towards a place far away. This continued *every* morning.
It took him a while, I recall, but one day Farage, and at least one other, spotted me in the lower-school playground. He was about 17. He towered over me. “Where are you from?” he asked. Within seconds of offering my rather confused and sputtering answers, he had a clear response. “That’s the way back to Africa” with an accompanying hand gesture pointing towards a place far away. Photo caption: Yinka Bankole in school uniform posing with his father outside a front door View image in fullscreen Yinka Bankole with his father, Dr Oluwole O Bankole. Photograph: Yinka Bankole Once my existence as a target was established, he would wait at the lower-school gate, where I was dropped off for school, so as to repeat the vulgarity. I will leave it to the reader to decide whether this was “malicious or non-malicious”, “meant with intent or not with intent”, “direct or non-direct”. I know how I experienced it. It certainly felt malicious to me.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Melanie
snig.bsky.social
Nigel Farage has been a lifelong racist. He's been a racist since his school days. David Lammy was forced to apologise for saying Farage flirted with the Hitler Youth - but what do you call it when someone sings Hitler Youth songs? Read Chloe Deakin's letter on Farage's fascism and racism at school.
From Chloe Denkin 01-734 1717 and 1778 E3 ALBANY PICCADILLY WIV ORH 4th June 1981 Dear Master, I am happy to say that I am not acquainted with N. P. Farage, of ASRY happy, because judging from hereporis i haveter ceived he is not someone with whom I would wish to be acquainted; and becaure I am, therefore, able to write on the ground of no personal prejedice, but on that conceraing p. inciple. You will recati that at the recent, and longthy, moeting about the selection of prefects, the nomads by a hegy that Sara was "a fascist, but that was no reason why ho would not make a good prefect" invoked considerable reaction from members of the Common Room. Another collesgue, who teaches the boy, des-cribed his publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views; and he citod a particular inciler in which Farage was so offensive to a boy in his set, that he had to be removed from the lesson. This mastor stated his view that that behaviour was precisely why the boy should not he made a prefect. Yet another colleague deseribed how, at a CCE camp organized by the College, Farage and others had marched through a quiet Sussex village very late at night shout-in Hitler-you songs; and when it was suggested by a master thie boys who expressed such views "don't really mean them", the College Chaplain himself commented that, on the contrary, in his experience views of that kind expressed by boys of that age are onted, and are mennt, At the end of that meeting I had not a scintilla of doubt that after the facts disclosed to you, Farage's nomination would no longer be considered. Nor, I imagine, had my colleagues; other-wise, we would have expressed ourselves even more strongly. But yesterday I was told by a senior boy, in terms of st that Farage was indeed to be selected; and today, of course, his appointment was announced in Assembly an announcement, I gather, which was met with disbelief and derision. To say that is too late to reverse this decision, or that Farage', acdir 3 will be restricted to particular areas of College te, or that he will be supervised within them, is futile. His appointment will have four immediate consequences. First, it will vastly increase his own confidence, and sense of self-justification. Secondly, he will have the privilege of listing his appointment as a profect at Dulwich College in his uni-versity and other applications. Thirdly, his peers, according to their own views, will either adopt him as an exemplar, or, as is much more likely, regard his appointment with disillusionment and cynicism when Ley observe that his notorious views and behaviour, well known to poth Master and members of the staff, are, as it would aptent, condoned by them. Fourthly, those members of the Common Room, such as myself, who believed that a firm daca fon had been reached through a democratic process, will be shock, saddened, angered, and disheartened. You will appreciate that I regard this as a very serious matter. i have often heard you tell our senior boys that they are the nation's future leaders. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these lenders are enlightened and compassionate. As you know, the national and educational press has recently given much prominence to the growing concern at the exploitation of school pupils by extremists of all kinds. A school of the stature and high roputation of Dulwich College which openly con-domned the recent troubles in Brixton, and offered its facilities freely to the foreca of law and order, ought not to be seen laside or outside its confines to be giving its endorsement, expressly or by implication, to budding extremists of the opposite kind. A school which is proud of its selectiveness, conservatism, and discipline, cught not to allow these characteristics to degen erate into intolerance, political extremism, or bullying of the nastiest kind, in its pupils. The matter of the appointment of Farage as a prefect may be thought by some to be minuscule against these deep considerations. It is not so. I am by disposition, tolerant; and in politics, moderate. But as a member of the Common Room, I find it distasteful that a boy such as Farage should have bestowed upon him the prestige of office and authority: wore I a parent or a pupil, I would find it profoundly so. In view, as I am aware, of the wide concern within the College about this matter, I am sending a copy of this letter to the chairman of the Common Room. Yours very sincerely, David Emms, Esq., MA, The Master of Dulwich College.
October 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Melanie
pickardje.bsky.social
this story isn’t going away

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
December 5, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Melanie
johnspringford.bsky.social
This is very good by @anandmenon.bsky.social. The EU shouldn't be indifferent to the choices the UK makes, merely setting out conditions for UK asks. It should have its own strategic aims on energy, security, export markets, access to Britain's knowledge economy
www.ft.com/content/0e5e...
Will the UK and EU choose to be partners or rivals?
From defence collaboration to energy, the bloc is struggling to decide how to view its former member
www.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Melanie
mharrisondupre.bsky.social
NEW: Elon Musk's Grok chatbot will, with minimal prompting, provide residential addresses of everyday Americans.

Prompts as simple as "[name] address" immediately returned accurate home addresses of private citizens — alongside other personal info we didn't ask for.

futurism.com/future-socie...
Futurism Groxxing Elon Musk’s Grok Is Doxxing Home Addresses of Everyday People Grok is a stalker's best friend. Image: Elon Musk doing a gesture that looks a whole lot like a Nazi salute over a bunch of censored information about private citizens, generated by his chatbot, Grok. By Maggie Harrison Dupré, Joe Wilkins Published Dec 4, 2025 9:05 AM EST
December 4, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Melanie
bestforbritain.org
Holocaust survivors: “Those who hope to lead our country should never divide people by race or religion. Antisemitic hatred must never be normalised. This moment is about moral responsibility.”

https://bit.ly/4pPHU2W
Holocaust survivors call on Nigel Farage to apologise over alleged antisemitic comments
Exclusive: Group’s open letter says Reform UK leader must take responsibility for behaviour as a schoolboy
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:40 AM