Amanda
@amandagillender.bsky.social
Opinionated crone & two cats, living in the Marches
Am I alone in being irritated by the replacement of the common or garden, everyday verb 'to give', by the pretentious 'to gift'?
To gift has a very specific meaning: to make a formal donation or bequest.
It's a pity to lose the original meaning.
But why do people want to sound like Hyacinth Bucket?
To gift has a very specific meaning: to make a formal donation or bequest.
It's a pity to lose the original meaning.
But why do people want to sound like Hyacinth Bucket?
December 12, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Am I alone in being irritated by the replacement of the common or garden, everyday verb 'to give', by the pretentious 'to gift'?
To gift has a very specific meaning: to make a formal donation or bequest.
It's a pity to lose the original meaning.
But why do people want to sound like Hyacinth Bucket?
To gift has a very specific meaning: to make a formal donation or bequest.
It's a pity to lose the original meaning.
But why do people want to sound like Hyacinth Bucket?
Reposted by Amanda
So the US just hijacked an oil tanker and the president casually says “I guess we keep the oil”
Is this not just theft
Is this not just theft
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
So the US just hijacked an oil tanker and the president casually says “I guess we keep the oil”
Is this not just theft
Is this not just theft
Reposted by Amanda
One in three children in Glasgow speak multiple languages, demonstrating more intellectual accomplishment than Nigel Farage has achieved in his lifetime.
December 12, 2025 at 12:07 AM
One in three children in Glasgow speak multiple languages, demonstrating more intellectual accomplishment than Nigel Farage has achieved in his lifetime.
Reposted by Amanda
The new Countdown Podcast drops at midnight. In it: it's time. A reporter who stands up to Trump, to his face, and returns his insults and tells him to shove his threats and lies will be fired - and will then get a new job paying twice as much - and become a national hero
December 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The new Countdown Podcast drops at midnight. In it: it's time. A reporter who stands up to Trump, to his face, and returns his insults and tells him to shove his threats and lies will be fired - and will then get a new job paying twice as much - and become a national hero
Reposted by Amanda
This is true and it's a great stat... but it doesn't tell the whole story, in the sense that a lot of cases since 1998 have been settled in domestic courts courtesy of the HRA (which gives domestic legal effect to ECHR rights).
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This is true and it's a great stat... but it doesn't tell the whole story, in the sense that a lot of cases since 1998 have been settled in domestic courts courtesy of the HRA (which gives domestic legal effect to ECHR rights).
Reposted by Amanda
Fantastic news that former Tory MP Ben Bradley has joined Reform. With his history of advocating police violence and suggesting the unemployed be prevented from having children, he will fit right in!
December 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Fantastic news that former Tory MP Ben Bradley has joined Reform. With his history of advocating police violence and suggesting the unemployed be prevented from having children, he will fit right in!
Reposted by Amanda
Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe
Moscow’s goal is not just to damage infrastructure but also to sow distrust inside Western societies.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Russia’s shadow war: How the Kremlin uses sabotage to wear down Europe www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Reposted by Amanda
I don't like being lied to, that is what immediately turned me away from frump the last time. him and his administration lie about everything, big and small. I have NO USE for liars, you cannot trust liars in any way. they have one purpose, only to spread confusion and chaos. every day more lies
December 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I don't like being lied to, that is what immediately turned me away from frump the last time. him and his administration lie about everything, big and small. I have NO USE for liars, you cannot trust liars in any way. they have one purpose, only to spread confusion and chaos. every day more lies
Reposted by Amanda
If we can't even get rid of this president, who is clearly criminally insane, how in the world will we deal with the next one?
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
If we can't even get rid of this president, who is clearly criminally insane, how in the world will we deal with the next one?
Reposted by Amanda
This petition is gaining traction...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
OFCOM: INVESTIGATE GB NEWS’ SHOCKING TRUMP INTERVIEW
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree.
act.38degrees.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This petition is gaining traction...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
Reposted by Amanda
Ossoff: "She got her new insurance quote & it's $700 more per month than what she's paying now. She's diabetic. She had surgery a few months ago for something else. She told me she cried again bc she realized she's gonna have to cancel her insurance. She believes she might die bc of a policy choice"
December 11, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Ossoff: "She got her new insurance quote & it's $700 more per month than what she's paying now. She's diabetic. She had surgery a few months ago for something else. She told me she cried again bc she realized she's gonna have to cancel her insurance. She believes she might die bc of a policy choice"
Reposted by Amanda
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
Reposted by Amanda
The release of the Epstein files is required by law to happen on December 19th.
On December 18th, we will "officially" be at war with Venezuela.
Bank on it.
On December 18th, we will "officially" be at war with Venezuela.
Bank on it.
December 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The release of the Epstein files is required by law to happen on December 19th.
On December 18th, we will "officially" be at war with Venezuela.
Bank on it.
On December 18th, we will "officially" be at war with Venezuela.
Bank on it.
Reposted by Amanda
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Reposted by Amanda
The UK government are in 'moral retreat' says Amnesty International.
Well said, and to think Starmer was a Human Rights lawyer. 🤔 shameful.
Well said, and to think Starmer was a Human Rights lawyer. 🤔 shameful.
December 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The UK government are in 'moral retreat' says Amnesty International.
Well said, and to think Starmer was a Human Rights lawyer. 🤔 shameful.
Well said, and to think Starmer was a Human Rights lawyer. 🤔 shameful.
Reposted by Amanda
Yeah, this happened.
December 11, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Yeah, this happened.
Reposted by Amanda
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
December 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Reposted by Amanda
And all without painting any roundabouts…
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
And all without painting any roundabouts…
Reposted by Amanda
Fair trade principles like decent pay and working conditions, environmental protection, and respect for human rights should be normal business practice, not an optional add-on.
I pressed the Minister to legislate for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
I pressed the Minister to legislate for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
December 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Fair trade principles like decent pay and working conditions, environmental protection, and respect for human rights should be normal business practice, not an optional add-on.
I pressed the Minister to legislate for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
I pressed the Minister to legislate for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.
Reposted by Amanda
Farage's memory being 'fluid' again.
Farage just said “I didn’t wear a mask last time and I won’t wear them this time. This is nonsense.”
Here he is, not only wearing a mask, but also getting vaccinated…
Here he is, not only wearing a mask, but also getting vaccinated…
December 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Farage's memory being 'fluid' again.
Reposted by Amanda
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara to US citizen detained by ICE: "I apologize that this happened to you in my city with people wearing vests that say 'police.' That's embarrassing."
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara to US citizen detained by ICE: "I apologize that this happened to you in my city with people wearing vests that say 'police.' That's embarrassing."
A band-aid on a festering hand wound
open.substack.com/pub/aaronrup...
open.substack.com/pub/aaronrup...
A band-aid on a festering hand wound
Something's up with Trump's health and we should really find out what it is.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A band-aid on a festering hand wound
open.substack.com/pub/aaronrup...
open.substack.com/pub/aaronrup...
Reposted by Amanda
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir says Israel views the "Yellow Line" dividing Gaza as its new border. Palestinians in Gaza report widespread demolitions east of the line, reshaping Gaza's landscape through force in what they call a “second Nakba.”
December 10, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir says Israel views the "Yellow Line" dividing Gaza as its new border. Palestinians in Gaza report widespread demolitions east of the line, reshaping Gaza's landscape through force in what they call a “second Nakba.”
Reposted by Amanda
This is the same group that seems to have an open invitation to appear on every single BBC political programme going, without ever declaring their funding
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group that "incubated" Liz Truss – was bankrolled by oil giants and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
📝 Exclusive findings from @desmog.com 👇
The Institute of Economic Affairs Banked £640,000 from Oil Giants and Murdoch
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) – the anti-state, anti-climate pressure group – received more than £640,000 from fossil fuel companies and Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate between 1957 and ...
www.desmog.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:42 AM
This is the same group that seems to have an open invitation to appear on every single BBC political programme going, without ever declaring their funding
