BetterBert
@betterbert.bsky.social
Improved, convalesced, slightly less unpleasant
... featuring the lovely Gina #DogsOfBluesky
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... featuring the lovely Gina #DogsOfBluesky
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Good thread (tl;dr: watch Meloni, watch Macron). Older Germans will remember the first and only serious prior push to European Defence Cooperation getting killed off in the French National Assembly.
The last government did not make that push. It is good this one does. And in an interesting turn of events, it is now in particular on Rome to show whether they are really interested in Europe's support for Ukraine - and also for France to throw its full weight behind the proposal to bring it home.
December 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Good thread (tl;dr: watch Meloni, watch Macron). Older Germans will remember the first and only serious prior push to European Defence Cooperation getting killed off in the French National Assembly.
Reposted by BetterBert
The enemy within
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The enemy within
Leeds. It's grim up North.
Just saw a dog piss on one of these Uber Eats drones in Hyde Park
December 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Leeds. It's grim up North.
Whenever I see this, it's the Crimea figures that stand out.
What numbers you'd get there now is unknowable given the circumstances.
What numbers you'd get there now is unknowable given the circumstances.
Otd in 1991, the Referendum on the Act of Declaration of Ukraine's Independence was held. The turnout was 84%, w 90%+ of votes in favor. In numbers 28,8M Ukrainians said yes.
Here lies the answer to "trade your land & ppl for the pause in the war" offers that are coming.
Ukraine won't surrender.
Here lies the answer to "trade your land & ppl for the pause in the war" offers that are coming.
Ukraine won't surrender.
December 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Whenever I see this, it's the Crimea figures that stand out.
What numbers you'd get there now is unknowable given the circumstances.
What numbers you'd get there now is unknowable given the circumstances.
Fishback, head of mackerel.
December 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Fishback, head of mackerel.
A look at the ingredients for a meat wave assault.
This isn't a draft - these are contract recruits.
This isn't a draft - these are contract recruits.
1/ A video showing alcoholics, newly recruited into the Russian army, has attracted scorn, concern, and even some compassion from Russian warbloggers. They suggest that the men will be deliberately killed for being useless when they arrive at the front. ⬇️
bsky.app/profile/wart...
bsky.app/profile/wart...
Russian contract soldiers of the “new generation” keep impressing their commanders with their top-tier fitness and skills. Fully “ready” for the next assault.
December 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
A look at the ingredients for a meat wave assault.
This isn't a draft - these are contract recruits.
This isn't a draft - these are contract recruits.
Reposted by BetterBert
I don't understand what is written on the screen in this photo, but it gives me life. Is it Dostoevsky?
November 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I don't understand what is written on the screen in this photo, but it gives me life. Is it Dostoevsky?
Ha ha ha ha ha.
It's Option B, by 51.7%
This will be hilarious.
It's Option B, by 51.7%
This will be hilarious.
November 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha.
It's Option B, by 51.7%
This will be hilarious.
It's Option B, by 51.7%
This will be hilarious.
Reposted by BetterBert
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Anthropoid [/ˈanθrəpɔɪd/] (adj.) - resembling a human being in form
November 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Anthropoid [/ˈanθrəpɔɪd/] (adj.) - resembling a human being in form
View from the top of Primrose Hill earlier.
The city feeling cold and grey today.
The city feeling cold and grey today.
November 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
View from the top of Primrose Hill earlier.
The city feeling cold and grey today.
The city feeling cold and grey today.
Witkoff transcript, alt text included:
![[...]
SW: Well listen. I am going to tell you something. I think, I think if we can get the Russia-Ukraine thing solved, everybody’ll be jumping for joy.
YU: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, you need to solve only one problem. [laughs]
SW: What?
YU: Russian-Ukrainian war.
SW: I know! How do we get that solved?
YU: My friend, I just want your advice. Do you think that it will be useful if our bosses will talk on the phone?
SW: Yes, I do.
YU: You do. And when you think it could be possible?
SW: I think as soon as you suggest, my guy is ready to do it.
YU: Ok, ok.
SW: Yuri, Yuri, here’s what I would do. My recommendation.
YU: Yes, please.
SW: I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it, you supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen. So I would say that. I think from that it’s going to be a really good call.
Because — let me tell you what I told the President. I told the president that you - that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That’s my belief. I told the president I believe that. And I believe the question is — the issue is is that we have two nations that are having a hard time coming to a compromise and when we do, we’re going to have a peace deal. I’m even thinking that maybe we set out like a 20-point peace proposal, just like we did in Gaza. We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you. My point is this...
YU: Ok, ok my friend. I think that very point our leaders could discuss. Hey Steve, I agree with you that he will congratulate, he will say that Mr. Trump is a real peace man and so and so. That he will say.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5tgvmuah4q2ekqo6vv7icm5x/bafkreifpbbo7apipcn3oknputlkpzdpvfru3gv3udb3rtxd3emdslr5bpq@jpeg)
![[...]
SW: But here’s what I think would be amazing.
YU: Ok, ok.
SW: What if, what if... hear me out...
YU: I will discuss that with my boss and then I come back to you. Ok?
SW: Yeah because listen to what I’m saying. I just want you to say, maybe just to say this to President Putin, because you know I have the deepest respect for President Putin.
YU: Yes, Yes.
SW: Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we’re open to those sorts of things — to explore what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done. Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere. But I’m saying instead of talking like that, let’s talk more hopefully because I think we’re going to get to a deal here. And I think Yuri, the president will give me a lot of space and discretion to get to the deal.
YU: I see...
SW: ...so if we can create that opportunity that after this I talked to Yuri and we had a conversation I think that could lead to big stuff.
YU: Ok, that sounds good. Sounds good.
SW: And here’s one more thing: Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday.
YU: I know that. [chuckles]
SW: I will go to that meeting because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.
YU: Before, before — yeah?
SW: Correct.
YU: Ok, ok. I got your advice. So I discuss that with my boss and then I come back to you, ok?
SW: Ok Yuri, I’ll speak to you soon.
YU: Great, great. Thank you so much. Thanks you.
SW: Bye, bye.
YU: Bye.
[Call Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5tgvmuah4q2ekqo6vv7icm5x/bafkreiblaawhukh4eaan6rn5vmu3czxsqc7a5ohkmwqjoynto4bbngrxme@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Witkoff transcript, alt text included:
Moscow, 1987. Trump at the Winter Palace with Ivana.
He buried her on his Bedminster golf course, as another man might a dog.
He buried her on his Bedminster golf course, as another man might a dog.
![Trump. Moscow, 1987
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[photo credit: TASS (yes, *that* TASS)]
used in this New Republic article:
https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-tower-luxury-high-rises-dirty-money-international-crime-syndicate](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5tgvmuah4q2ekqo6vv7icm5x/bafkreicezmgjro4kmnxeemk2winmv3w4alxvuqfuqvsmme6urycwjihdqa@jpeg)
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Moscow, 1987. Trump at the Winter Palace with Ivana.
He buried her on his Bedminster golf course, as another man might a dog.
He buried her on his Bedminster golf course, as another man might a dog.
![In the spring [Trump] pardoned two convicted fraudsters: Trevor Milton, the founder of an electric-truck manufacturer, and Paul Walczak, a health-care executive. Mr Milton and his wife had donated $1.8m to the president’s 2024 campaign. Mr Walczak’s mother had recently paid $1m to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago; he cited her donation history in his pardon application. Normally the Department of Justice (DoJ) requires pardon-seekers to wait five years after conviction or release to apply: better to show remorse and reform. By contrast the pardons for Mr Milton and Mr Walczak came quickly, sparing both men prison and multi-million-dollar restitutions.
Such pardons have ignited a lobbying frenzy among white-collar convicts. Sam Mangel, a clemency consultant, says he has been retained by 28 applicants this year, up from one during Joe Biden’s entire term. He gets inquiries daily. Some lobbyists who market “executive relief” charge seven-figure success fees on top of their retainers. The practice is a throwback to the Tudor court—except today’s intercessors don’t accept falcons. Meanwhile Mr Trump’s neutering of Congress has shifted K Street’s focus away from Capitol Hill and given rise to a new crop of lobbyists with ties to the White House.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5tgvmuah4q2ekqo6vv7icm5x/bafkreicfsbm3vzhfunirfe3sc3bvycryglaumso36dcvsadz6pipcfyrmu@jpeg)
November 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
According to Nile Rodgers the original lyrics of Chic's 'Le Freak' were "Fuck off Studio 54"
Disco actually didn't suck.
Chuck Schumer on the other hand did and does.
Disco actually didn't suck.
Chuck Schumer on the other hand did and does.
apropos of nothing, here’s a photo of a young chuck schumer attending trump lawyer & confidante (& joe mccarthy associate) roy cohn’s birthday party at studio 54, in 1979
November 10, 2025 at 12:06 AM
According to Nile Rodgers the original lyrics of Chic's 'Le Freak' were "Fuck off Studio 54"
Disco actually didn't suck.
Chuck Schumer on the other hand did and does.
Disco actually didn't suck.
Chuck Schumer on the other hand did and does.
This is a good read in the New Yorker.
Nice to see Anthony Lane get past the shaming choice of Allison Pearson as something to touch with a bargepole.
Nice to see Anthony Lane get past the shaming choice of Allison Pearson as something to touch with a bargepole.
Anthony Hopkins’s Beckettian Memoir
The actor recalls his life, from provincial Wales to Hollywood, in stop-start rhythms with curt, unflinching reckonings.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This is a good read in the New Yorker.
Nice to see Anthony Lane get past the shaming choice of Allison Pearson as something to touch with a bargepole.
Nice to see Anthony Lane get past the shaming choice of Allison Pearson as something to touch with a bargepole.
Reposted by BetterBert
And then vomits live eels.
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 PM
And then vomits live eels.
@anandmenon.bsky.social is unambiguously good news, but this Anand Menon lecture is a bummer. As he acknowledges more than once. He fluffs the very final word, revealingly. 45 minutes, it's excellent throughout.
Reflections on the Brexit Revolution: 2025-26 Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture
YouTube video by Cambridge Law Faculty
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
@anandmenon.bsky.social is unambiguously good news, but this Anand Menon lecture is a bummer. As he acknowledges more than once. He fluffs the very final word, revealingly. 45 minutes, it's excellent throughout.
Looking through old posts for some reason. Struck again by how weak Pacino's effort is here.
On the left is the face of a predator nearing the end of a life in which every day, without emotion, he has killed what he eats. On the right is the face of an actor startled by a damp fart.
On the left is the face of a predator nearing the end of a life in which every day, without emotion, he has killed what he eats. On the right is the face of an actor startled by a damp fart.
It's the dead eyes isn't it.
Al Pacino gave it a go but even he was nowhere close.
Miller on the other hand looks more and more like him every day.
Al Pacino gave it a go but even he was nowhere close.
Miller on the other hand looks more and more like him every day.
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Looking through old posts for some reason. Struck again by how weak Pacino's effort is here.
On the left is the face of a predator nearing the end of a life in which every day, without emotion, he has killed what he eats. On the right is the face of an actor startled by a damp fart.
On the left is the face of a predator nearing the end of a life in which every day, without emotion, he has killed what he eats. On the right is the face of an actor startled by a damp fart.
The news today, oh boy, the English army had just won the war
This Mexican WWII poster is some of the hardest shit ever
October 31, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The news today, oh boy, the English army had just won the war
Reposted by BetterBert
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
On the left, the refurbished Lincoln bathroom. On the right, picture I took in Saddam Hussein's palace in Basra in 2005.
Who the fuck let this through? Can't be Micklethwait & Wooldridge, they're long gone.
And anyway at that '24 campaign event Micklethwait stuck to his free trade principles. Didn't pander.
And anyway at that '24 campaign event Micklethwait stuck to his free trade principles. Didn't pander.
There is a legal case for a third term—but it is strewn with obstacles
Trump 2028
There is a legal case for a third term—but it is strewn with obstacles
econ.st
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Who the fuck let this through? Can't be Micklethwait & Wooldridge, they're long gone.
And anyway at that '24 campaign event Micklethwait stuck to his free trade principles. Didn't pander.
And anyway at that '24 campaign event Micklethwait stuck to his free trade principles. Didn't pander.
Just saw this. A Royal Society that took its values seriously would be burning him in effigy.
#Skum
#Skum
A statement from the President of the Royal Society | Royal Society
A statement from Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, regarding threats to the values that allow science to flourish.
royalsociety.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Just saw this. A Royal Society that took its values seriously would be burning him in effigy.
#Skum
#Skum