Frustrated Optimist
@pintofbest.bsky.social
Retired, thoughtful, cosmopolitan, often angry, spin averse, laughs a lot often non PC.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
I don't think I knew I was a Liberal until the lying, thieving right wing crazies got into prominance.
December 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I don't think I knew I was a Liberal until the lying, thieving right wing crazies got into prominance.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
My god. If only @arusbridger.bsky.social was a BBC director instead of Robbie Gibb. The whole country would be in a much better state
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
My god. If only @arusbridger.bsky.social was a BBC director instead of Robbie Gibb. The whole country would be in a much better state
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
My god. If only @arusbridger.bsky.social was a BBC director instead of Robbie Gibb. The whole country would be in a much better state
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
My god. If only @arusbridger.bsky.social was a BBC director instead of Robbie Gibb. The whole country would be in a much better state
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Left: Kwasi-I-crashed-the-economy-Kwarteng criticising Labour for paying Hadush Kebatu £500 to leave
Right: That time Kwasi Kwarteng's government was paying £3,000 to volunteers to go to Rwanda
Whatever you think of Labour's policies, know that the Conservatives were so much worse
Right: That time Kwasi Kwarteng's government was paying £3,000 to volunteers to go to Rwanda
Whatever you think of Labour's policies, know that the Conservatives were so much worse
October 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Left: Kwasi-I-crashed-the-economy-Kwarteng criticising Labour for paying Hadush Kebatu £500 to leave
Right: That time Kwasi Kwarteng's government was paying £3,000 to volunteers to go to Rwanda
Whatever you think of Labour's policies, know that the Conservatives were so much worse
Right: That time Kwasi Kwarteng's government was paying £3,000 to volunteers to go to Rwanda
Whatever you think of Labour's policies, know that the Conservatives were so much worse
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reform’s Sarah Pochin forced to apologise after claiming adverts 'full of black people' drive her 'mad’ | LBC
The Runcorn and Helsby MP was responding to a viewer live on air who complained about the demographics of advertising.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Nothing on the BBC Radio news this morning. Nothing I could find on their website. This is an MP from the party whose lead in the opinion polls normally ensures them wall-to-wall coverage. She spouts racist nonsense for which even she feels obliged to apologise. What on earth are they playing at?
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Absolutely spot on, some people - like @carolecadwalla.bsky.social and @peterjukes.bsky.social have been pointing this out for years.
The British public might take notice of this before it's too late, the irony being that it will be the Welsh and Scots who make the English realise.
The British public might take notice of this before it's too late, the irony being that it will be the Welsh and Scots who make the English realise.
Farage worked for the Russian state - Russia today
Russia wanted a weaker, more divided UK & Europe
Farage secured a Brexit which gave 10 years of economic decline & political turmoil for the UK & caused division with our allies.
Don't vote for them pretending you're a patriot
Russia wanted a weaker, more divided UK & Europe
Farage secured a Brexit which gave 10 years of economic decline & political turmoil for the UK & caused division with our allies.
Don't vote for them pretending you're a patriot
October 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Absolutely spot on, some people - like @carolecadwalla.bsky.social and @peterjukes.bsky.social have been pointing this out for years.
The British public might take notice of this before it's too late, the irony being that it will be the Welsh and Scots who make the English realise.
The British public might take notice of this before it's too late, the irony being that it will be the Welsh and Scots who make the English realise.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
All this time,Putin has been given opportunities to end the war on honorable terms:the red carpet was rolled out for him,sanctions relief was offered,proposals for profitable joint projects were made
Why didn’t he accept these offers?As I’ve said-he can’t,he hardly makes any real decisions anymore
Why didn’t he accept these offers?As I’ve said-he can’t,he hardly makes any real decisions anymore
October 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
All this time,Putin has been given opportunities to end the war on honorable terms:the red carpet was rolled out for him,sanctions relief was offered,proposals for profitable joint projects were made
Why didn’t he accept these offers?As I’ve said-he can’t,he hardly makes any real decisions anymore
Why didn’t he accept these offers?As I’ve said-he can’t,he hardly makes any real decisions anymore
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
"There are things in the world so massive that the British parliament, and you I'm afraid, are not dealing with... are not gripping"
Rory Stewart, former Conservative Minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics, argues that there's too much focus on Prince Andrew.
#Newsnight
Rory Stewart, former Conservative Minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics, argues that there's too much focus on Prince Andrew.
#Newsnight
October 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"There are things in the world so massive that the British parliament, and you I'm afraid, are not dealing with... are not gripping"
Rory Stewart, former Conservative Minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics, argues that there's too much focus on Prince Andrew.
#Newsnight
Rory Stewart, former Conservative Minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics, argues that there's too much focus on Prince Andrew.
#Newsnight
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
First Alex Burghart says our economy has failed under Labour, then he says the UK economy is doing great
Rosie Wrighting calls him out, "In one sentence, you basically talked down our economy and then praised where it is now"
So glad the Conservatives and their double speak are out of office
Rosie Wrighting calls him out, "In one sentence, you basically talked down our economy and then praised where it is now"
So glad the Conservatives and their double speak are out of office
October 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
First Alex Burghart says our economy has failed under Labour, then he says the UK economy is doing great
Rosie Wrighting calls him out, "In one sentence, you basically talked down our economy and then praised where it is now"
So glad the Conservatives and their double speak are out of office
Rosie Wrighting calls him out, "In one sentence, you basically talked down our economy and then praised where it is now"
So glad the Conservatives and their double speak are out of office
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
If Byline can find out this information you'd be very naive to think the legacy media don't also know. The question is, why are they/have they kept quiet?
We need answers.
We need answers.
October 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
If Byline can find out this information you'd be very naive to think the legacy media don't also know. The question is, why are they/have they kept quiet?
We need answers.
We need answers.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Why does 'The Times' saturday 23rd August headline say 'Farage will pledge 5 deportation flights a day'. Its a dangerous headline which is totally untested and likely to further sow dissent. A bit more positivity around the here & now would be more responsible even though times are tough.
August 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Why does 'The Times' saturday 23rd August headline say 'Farage will pledge 5 deportation flights a day'. Its a dangerous headline which is totally untested and likely to further sow dissent. A bit more positivity around the here & now would be more responsible even though times are tough.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Here's a fact for you all.
Prior to 2017 there was not a single documented case of any individual travelling by small boats across the English Channel to caim asylum in the UK.
Not ONE.
This current 'boats' crisis has been largely caused by Brexit.
But for some reason NOBODY is saying that.
Prior to 2017 there was not a single documented case of any individual travelling by small boats across the English Channel to caim asylum in the UK.
Not ONE.
This current 'boats' crisis has been largely caused by Brexit.
But for some reason NOBODY is saying that.
August 19, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Here's a fact for you all.
Prior to 2017 there was not a single documented case of any individual travelling by small boats across the English Channel to caim asylum in the UK.
Not ONE.
This current 'boats' crisis has been largely caused by Brexit.
But for some reason NOBODY is saying that.
Prior to 2017 there was not a single documented case of any individual travelling by small boats across the English Channel to caim asylum in the UK.
Not ONE.
This current 'boats' crisis has been largely caused by Brexit.
But for some reason NOBODY is saying that.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Thornberry is always good, but on this morning's media round she has been exceptional.
My statement on the recognition of Palestine ⤵️
July 30, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Thornberry is always good, but on this morning's media round she has been exceptional.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
The agents of turmoil whipping up fear and hoping against hope for more riots and violence don't care about you, or your happiness and safety or the well-being of this country.
Fear and chaos are the fuel that drives their agenda. That's it. That's all it is. All it ever was.
Fear and chaos are the fuel that drives their agenda. That's it. That's all it is. All it ever was.
July 28, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The agents of turmoil whipping up fear and hoping against hope for more riots and violence don't care about you, or your happiness and safety or the well-being of this country.
Fear and chaos are the fuel that drives their agenda. That's it. That's all it is. All it ever was.
Fear and chaos are the fuel that drives their agenda. That's it. That's all it is. All it ever was.
I thought there was a 50/50 chance that Trump was a Russian asset. I now think that its 80% likely. Trump is weird but not stupid. He will know that he cannot admit this as his position as President would end. So his ambiguous stance has to be maintained. He hasn't helped Ukraine yet at all.
July 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I thought there was a 50/50 chance that Trump was a Russian asset. I now think that its 80% likely. Trump is weird but not stupid. He will know that he cannot admit this as his position as President would end. So his ambiguous stance has to be maintained. He hasn't helped Ukraine yet at all.
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
Best not tell the City that globalisation is dead either... bsky.app/profile/sylv...
"globalisation has come to an end" is an insane take from anyone not trying to pander to the US delusion that they can singlehandedly stop *everyone else* from also trading.
Case in point, you don't hear Nintendo saying they're not launching the Switch 2 *anywhere*!
Case in point, you don't hear Nintendo saying they're not launching the Switch 2 *anywhere*!
April 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Best not tell the City that globalisation is dead either... bsky.app/profile/sylv...
Reposted by Frustrated Optimist
🚨This is really important.
Please do read and share ⤵️
Please do read and share ⤵️
The Covid Inquiry's decision not to call PPE suppliers to give evidence smacks of a whitewash.
Inadequate PPE killed thousands while enriching a few wealthy individuals.
Now, those individuals are being protected from public scrutiny.
news.sky.com/story/potent...
Inadequate PPE killed thousands while enriching a few wealthy individuals.
Now, those individuals are being protected from public scrutiny.
news.sky.com/story/potent...
'Potential whitewashing': COVID inquiry criticised after saying it won't hear from PPE suppliers
Bereaved families accuse the inquiry of "protecting" PPE suppliers from public scrutiny but a spokesperson for the probe tells Sky News there is no need for them to give evidence to ensure a "thorough...
news.sky.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
🚨This is really important.
Please do read and share ⤵️
Please do read and share ⤵️
In a World of polarised politics is there a space for folk in the Centre? If so interlectually what is the centre and does being there have any credability? A thread.
February 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
In a World of polarised politics is there a space for folk in the Centre? If so interlectually what is the centre and does being there have any credability? A thread.
Note to Trump & US not only did Russia invade Ukraine but whereas Ukraine are only attacking the invadors in their Country & military targets, Russia continuously target civilian targets in Ukraine. I guess this doesn't count in Trump's transactional world.
February 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Note to Trump & US not only did Russia invade Ukraine but whereas Ukraine are only attacking the invadors in their Country & military targets, Russia continuously target civilian targets in Ukraine. I guess this doesn't count in Trump's transactional world.
One of the biggest risks to the stability of the World is the traction fake news & lies gets in the minds of populations and the growing unwillingness of Social media companies to combat this.
February 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
One of the biggest risks to the stability of the World is the traction fake news & lies gets in the minds of populations and the growing unwillingness of Social media companies to combat this.
Does it automatically follow that as the world population increases democracy decreases?
February 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Does it automatically follow that as the world population increases democracy decreases?
Trump is right to expect Europe to spend more on its defence given Russian agression. However Trump is not right about anything else.
February 15, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Trump is right to expect Europe to spend more on its defence given Russian agression. However Trump is not right about anything else.
This is my first post on bluesky as part of a move from X. Current priorities are UK & US politics, the war in Ukraine and hopefully optimism for 2025 when all the evidence is pessimistic. Democracies need to survive and facts must win over misinformation.
January 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This is my first post on bluesky as part of a move from X. Current priorities are UK & US politics, the war in Ukraine and hopefully optimism for 2025 when all the evidence is pessimistic. Democracies need to survive and facts must win over misinformation.