Susan McCallum Smith
@susanmccallum.bsky.social
Reader, writer, teacher.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
I think Zack Polanski was right to make this point, it highlights the gross inequality between the super rich and the rest of us.
December 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I think Zack Polanski was right to make this point, it highlights the gross inequality between the super rich and the rest of us.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Pete Hegseth on Sept 3 talking about the strike on boats where 2 survivors were later killed in a second strike: “I watched it live.”
December 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Pete Hegseth on Sept 3 talking about the strike on boats where 2 survivors were later killed in a second strike: “I watched it live.”
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Sue him, Franklin.
Canadian publisher Kids Can Press "strongly condemns any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin's name or image" following Pete Hegseth's post:
December 2, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Sue him, Franklin.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
The first episode of Backlisted was published on 30th November 2015, ten years ago today. @backlisted.bsky.social
‘We can ask and ask but we can’t have again what once seemed ours forever.’ - J.L. Carr, A Month in the Country 🙏
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/1-j...
‘We can ask and ask but we can’t have again what once seemed ours forever.’ - J.L. Carr, A Month in the Country 🙏
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/1-j...
1. J. L. Carr - A Month in the Countr — Backlisted
In the first episode of a new podcast about books, John Mitchinson and Andy Miller are joined by novelist Lissa Evans and Unbound's Mathew Clayton to discuss J.L. Carr's A Month In The Country. If y...
www.backlisted.fm
November 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The first episode of Backlisted was published on 30th November 2015, ten years ago today. @backlisted.bsky.social
‘We can ask and ask but we can’t have again what once seemed ours forever.’ - J.L. Carr, A Month in the Country 🙏
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/1-j...
‘We can ask and ask but we can’t have again what once seemed ours forever.’ - J.L. Carr, A Month in the Country 🙏
www.backlisted.fm/episodes/1-j...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
This year we're doing Whamutopia. Every time you hear Last Christmas you have to have a mulled wine at your earliest convenience and toast George Michael, because he was a lad
December 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
This year we're doing Whamutopia. Every time you hear Last Christmas you have to have a mulled wine at your earliest convenience and toast George Michael, because he was a lad
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 1
‘The village’
Artist: SR Badmin
‘The village’
Artist: SR Badmin
December 1, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Ladybird Artists Advent Calendar, window 1
‘The village’
Artist: SR Badmin
‘The village’
Artist: SR Badmin
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
This episode of R4’s Guide Books, featuring Sarah Perry and @sineadgleeson.bsky.social, is a really interesting discussion on health and how a writer’s feelings about their body feed into their work. Thanks @damianbarr.bsky.social for the link. #BookSky 💙📚
December 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
This episode of R4’s Guide Books, featuring Sarah Perry and @sineadgleeson.bsky.social, is a really interesting discussion on health and how a writer’s feelings about their body feed into their work. Thanks @damianbarr.bsky.social for the link. #BookSky 💙📚
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
‘Suddenly the inner thoughts of power are projected onto the screen in everyone’s hand – all the drivelling banalities, the selfishness, the contempt for others, the lack of interest in anything the world has to offer except personal gain.’
T.J. Clark on Trump.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
T.J. Clark on Trump.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
T.J. Clark · The Job
What would politics be like in an age where one empire continued to hold sway over the ‘international community’, as...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
‘Suddenly the inner thoughts of power are projected onto the screen in everyone’s hand – all the drivelling banalities, the selfishness, the contempt for others, the lack of interest in anything the world has to offer except personal gain.’
T.J. Clark on Trump.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
T.J. Clark on Trump.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
November 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
If the Telegraph can do this, why can’t #BBC journalists challenge all politicians who bemoan our lack of growth on the elephant in the room: the damage of #Brexit+what can be done to repair it? @omrgriffiths @Nshallice @dianamartinbbc @JonathanAspinw1 @JohntNeal @jonathancmunro
November 29, 2025 at 10:59 PM
If the Telegraph can do this, why can’t #BBC journalists challenge all politicians who bemoan our lack of growth on the elephant in the room: the damage of #Brexit+what can be done to repair it? @omrgriffiths @Nshallice @dianamartinbbc @JonathanAspinw1 @JohntNeal @jonathancmunro
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
When the playwright Tom Stoppard died, “he left behind a theatre changed by his blistering intellect and blazing success, the heat and light that made the rest of our English-language garden grow,” Helen Shaw writes.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/tom-stoppards-radical-invitation
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/tom-stoppards-radical-invitation
Tom Stoppard’s Radical Invitation
The playwright offered a kind of on-ramp to the literary canon, a way into a life of unabashed, unstoppable thinking.
www.newyorker.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:30 AM
When the playwright Tom Stoppard died, “he left behind a theatre changed by his blistering intellect and blazing success, the heat and light that made the rest of our English-language garden grow,” Helen Shaw writes.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/tom-stoppards-radical-invitation
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/tom-stoppards-radical-invitation
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaelic and Scots now recognised as official languages
The milestone is one of a number of new measures taking effect on St Andrew's Day from the Scottish Languages Act.
www.bbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
From today, Gaelic and Scots are recognised as official languages.
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A significant moment on St Andrew’s Day. 🏴
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Really enjoyed this discussion between Sarah Perry and Martha Kearney, in which Perry talks about her connection to the natural world.
She sounds so thoughtful and enthusiastic, I could listen to her all day. (via R4's This Natural Life.) #BookSky 💙📚 #Nature
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
She sounds so thoughtful and enthusiastic, I could listen to her all day. (via R4's This Natural Life.) #BookSky 💙📚 #Nature
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This Natural Life - Sarah Perry - BBC Sounds
The writer takes Martha Kearney to the rook and jackdaw roost at Buckenham Carrs, Norfolk
www.bbc.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Really enjoyed this discussion between Sarah Perry and Martha Kearney, in which Perry talks about her connection to the natural world.
She sounds so thoughtful and enthusiastic, I could listen to her all day. (via R4's This Natural Life.) #BookSky 💙📚 #Nature
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
She sounds so thoughtful and enthusiastic, I could listen to her all day. (via R4's This Natural Life.) #BookSky 💙📚 #Nature
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
November 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
ICYMI: The Royal Literary Fund is launching a free four-part webinar series called ‘Making Writing Work’ next year 👇 #BookSky
Royal Literary Fund to run free webinar series for writers
ebx.sh
November 29, 2025 at 7:34 AM
ICYMI: The Royal Literary Fund is launching a free four-part webinar series called ‘Making Writing Work’ next year 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Isn't it refreshing when someone actually does nuance and detail?
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Isn't it refreshing when someone actually does nuance and detail?
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
At last the BBC push back against the household budget theory of public finances. High time, I have been pushing back against this for almost 15 years now.
Isn't it refreshing when someone actually does nuance and detail?
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
H/t @andyverity.bsky.social at the BBC!
November 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
At last the BBC push back against the household budget theory of public finances. High time, I have been pushing back against this for almost 15 years now.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
230,000 Deaths and the ‘Calculated Silence’ of the Medical Establishment About the COVID Inquiry
The Covid Inquiry Report is a devastating critique of the medical establishment which led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century, argues Anthony Costello
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Omg. You gotta watch till that last scene. See if it doesn't catch in your throat.
The Green Party just keeps on rising. 💚
The Green Party just keeps on rising. 💚
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
November 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Omg. You gotta watch till that last scene. See if it doesn't catch in your throat.
The Green Party just keeps on rising. 💚
The Green Party just keeps on rising. 💚
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Can’t we just spread the word ourselves?
November 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Can’t we just spread the word ourselves?
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Easy fix— “Trump is the President the BBC is afraid is most likely to sue to prevent an open discussion of whether he is the most corrupt President in American history.”
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Easy fix— “Trump is the President the BBC is afraid is most likely to sue to prevent an open discussion of whether he is the most corrupt President in American history.”
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Anas Sarwar was quick to trumpet Labour plans to strengthen workers' rights. But after a U-turn from his UK bosses, he's gone silent, Steph Brawn writes ✍️
👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
November 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Anas Sarwar was quick to trumpet Labour plans to strengthen workers' rights. But after a U-turn from his UK bosses, he's gone silent, Steph Brawn writes ✍️
👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2...
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Reposted by Susan McCallum Smith
Arundhati Roy’s Mother Mary Comes to Me (Hamish Hamilton) has been named Foyles Book of the Year 2025.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Arundhati Roy's Mother Mary Comes to Me named Foyles Book of the Year
Arundhati Roy’s Mother Mary Comes to Me (Hamish Hamilton) has been named Foyles Book of the Year 2025.
ebx.sh
November 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Arundhati Roy’s Mother Mary Comes to Me (Hamish Hamilton) has been named Foyles Book of the Year 2025.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇