Gerard Livingstone
@theolivingstone.bsky.social
Philosophy teacher (Open Univ etc., retired); D.Phil.(Oxf); phil lang/logic
Politics: Eur, M & Far East,Caucasus, C Asia. UK Rejoin EU.
Music: Greek, Americana
Politics: Eur, M & Far East,Caucasus, C Asia. UK Rejoin EU.
Music: Greek, Americana
So democracy admits of degrees. And cannot be illiberal or authoritarian ('democracy with adjectives').
October 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
So democracy admits of degrees. And cannot be illiberal or authoritarian ('democracy with adjectives').
So in W's usage, in the context, 'he'/'him' can also refer to male or female. I wonder how widespread that is. Rainsborough in the Putney debates talks about 'the poorest he that is in England...'
October 1, 2025 at 6:55 AM
So in W's usage, in the context, 'he'/'him' can also refer to male or female. I wonder how widespread that is. Rainsborough in the Putney debates talks about 'the poorest he that is in England...'
It would be nonsense if the conversation had been about starting the negotiations. There is a point at which the parties agree to start the process of reintegrating.
And I do, earnestly, want us to rejoin.
And I do, earnestly, want us to rejoin.
October 1, 2025 at 1:53 AM
It would be nonsense if the conversation had been about starting the negotiations. There is a point at which the parties agree to start the process of reintegrating.
And I do, earnestly, want us to rejoin.
And I do, earnestly, want us to rejoin.
The EU would want to see definitive defeat of pro-Brexit political forces. EU need to be confident there will be no
Brexit 2. Sadly this is still a high bar to meet.
Brexit 2. Sadly this is still a high bar to meet.
October 1, 2025 at 1:09 AM
The EU would want to see definitive defeat of pro-Brexit political forces. EU need to be confident there will be no
Brexit 2. Sadly this is still a high bar to meet.
Brexit 2. Sadly this is still a high bar to meet.
For comparison, the biggest demonstration contrived by the immigration-fuelled campaign for Brexit in 2016 comprised 5000 (mostly drunken football hooligans).
September 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
For comparison, the biggest demonstration contrived by the immigration-fuelled campaign for Brexit in 2016 comprised 5000 (mostly drunken football hooligans).
The picture is from fiction - a film called 'This is England'
September 15, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The picture is from fiction - a film called 'This is England'
He's expanded the powers of the office, but wants them for a narrowed set of purposes.
September 14, 2025 at 1:39 AM
He's expanded the powers of the office, but wants them for a narrowed set of purposes.
Is relocation a possibility?
September 12, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Is relocation a possibility?
Missed it, sorry.
September 4, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Missed it, sorry.
(contd.) notably S's populism-lite noises about immigration.
However, I haven't yet seen anyone formulate an anti-populist strategy on immigration which looks politically promising. Denying that there is any problem doesn't seem to convince enough voters.
However, I haven't yet seen anyone formulate an anti-populist strategy on immigration which looks politically promising. Denying that there is any problem doesn't seem to convince enough voters.
September 3, 2025 at 9:53 PM
(contd.) notably S's populism-lite noises about immigration.
However, I haven't yet seen anyone formulate an anti-populist strategy on immigration which looks politically promising. Denying that there is any problem doesn't seem to convince enough voters.
However, I haven't yet seen anyone formulate an anti-populist strategy on immigration which looks politically promising. Denying that there is any problem doesn't seem to convince enough voters.
Brilliant politicians? Where are they, for comparison?
Any UK government is liable to have awful ratings in current circs., and in judging S you have to notice the part about leading his party from disaster to landslide win in just a few years. Since then he's made big mistakes,
Any UK government is liable to have awful ratings in current circs., and in judging S you have to notice the part about leading his party from disaster to landslide win in just a few years. Since then he's made big mistakes,
September 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Brilliant politicians? Where are they, for comparison?
Any UK government is liable to have awful ratings in current circs., and in judging S you have to notice the part about leading his party from disaster to landslide win in just a few years. Since then he's made big mistakes,
Any UK government is liable to have awful ratings in current circs., and in judging S you have to notice the part about leading his party from disaster to landslide win in just a few years. Since then he's made big mistakes,
cf. Harry Frankfurt's distinction between liars and bulshitters.
September 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
cf. Harry Frankfurt's distinction between liars and bulshitters.
It's good, but it reminds me of Stalin calling Trotsky
'beautifully useless' (for opposing the use of robberies
to fund the early Bolsheviks).
'beautifully useless' (for opposing the use of robberies
to fund the early Bolsheviks).
August 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
It's good, but it reminds me of Stalin calling Trotsky
'beautifully useless' (for opposing the use of robberies
to fund the early Bolsheviks).
'beautifully useless' (for opposing the use of robberies
to fund the early Bolsheviks).
'I can't spare this man - he fights' (Lincoln)
August 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
'I can't spare this man - he fights' (Lincoln)
Like Rick, we were 'badly informed'.
July 14, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Like Rick, we were 'badly informed'.
You're testing us again. The police inspector (Claude Rains) was shocked.
July 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
You're testing us again. The police inspector (Claude Rains) was shocked.
'slightly' is bearing a lot of weight here.
June 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
'slightly' is bearing a lot of weight here.
Reposted by Gerard Livingstone
Charles III's political views would probably make him a polite DSA activist in Maine if he was an American
June 14, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Charles III's political views would probably make him a polite DSA activist in Maine if he was an American