Ian
@ianpatterson.com
We live in a funny world: just making the most of it, one day at a time. Tweeter. Liberaler. Quiddler. Un buveur d’encre. A recovering frog after slowly cooking in Musks cauldron for too long.
Pinned
Ian
@ianpatterson.com
· Nov 17
Mt current wish list for @bsky.app new features - when they can find the time:
- draft posts, that work cross device. Let me save tweets and come back to them
- bookmarks
- ability to mute reposts selectively ie per account. Some people post a lot of RTs, but I dont want to mute them entirely
- draft posts, that work cross device. Let me save tweets and come back to them
- bookmarks
- ability to mute reposts selectively ie per account. Some people post a lot of RTs, but I dont want to mute them entirely
Reposted by Ian
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen
The likes of Mason and Kunsberg are a key reason for the decline in BBC: not on bias, but in the endless coverage of minutae and gossip, whilst big issues go unanalysed or kept to infantile levels. bsky.app/profile/t0ny...
Everyone is doing this ironically, but someone has to state it plainly. Chris Mason is exactly what is wrong with BBC politics coverage. Infantile coverage via soap opera and constant fawning over Reform and the archetypal Reform voter's supposed views.
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
November 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The likes of Mason and Kunsberg are a key reason for the decline in BBC: not on bias, but in the endless coverage of minutae and gossip, whilst big issues go unanalysed or kept to infantile levels. bsky.app/profile/t0ny...
Reposted by Ian
Everyone is doing this ironically, but someone has to state it plainly. Chris Mason is exactly what is wrong with BBC politics coverage. Infantile coverage via soap opera and constant fawning over Reform and the archetypal Reform voter's supposed views.
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Everyone is doing this ironically, but someone has to state it plainly. Chris Mason is exactly what is wrong with BBC politics coverage. Infantile coverage via soap opera and constant fawning over Reform and the archetypal Reform voter's supposed views.
Reposted by Ian
There is a strong case that Farage's character will be both Reform's and Labour's main strength in the next election
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 AM
There is a strong case that Farage's character will be both Reform's and Labour's main strength in the next election
Dutch airport Schipol in Amsterdam handles passenger volumes equivalent to 4x the population of the Netherlands annually. Despite that, its dropped back to be being only Europe's 4th largest airport, after Heathrow, CDG, and Istanbul....
www.businesstraveller.com/news/amsterd...
www.businesstraveller.com/news/amsterd...
Amsterdam Schiphol Plots a Massive €10B Redesign
Amsterdam Schiphol launches a €10 billion overhaul through 2050, adding a new terminal and greener technology to enhance capacity and sustainability.
www.businesstraveller.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Dutch airport Schipol in Amsterdam handles passenger volumes equivalent to 4x the population of the Netherlands annually. Despite that, its dropped back to be being only Europe's 4th largest airport, after Heathrow, CDG, and Istanbul....
www.businesstraveller.com/news/amsterd...
www.businesstraveller.com/news/amsterd...
Reposted by Ian
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
Not enough attention is payed to Ireland and its lack of defences. When Russia stalks its waters it has no means to respond, only the aid of its neighbours. It hasn’t even invested in having systems capable of handling classified matters from Europe. on.ft.com/4pvsNeP
How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
With few ships and limited intelligence-sharing, some say the country cannot hope to protect itself or its infrastructure
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Not enough attention is payed to Ireland and its lack of defences. When Russia stalks its waters it has no means to respond, only the aid of its neighbours. It hasn’t even invested in having systems capable of handling classified matters from Europe. on.ft.com/4pvsNeP
somewhat unnoticed and under appreciated in the west is just how much some dont take Russia to be a beyond-the-pale-pariah-state. Shocking in so many ways - it's not like Russia has ever shown any real sympathy to them.
bsky.app/profile/the-...
bsky.app/profile/the-...
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
somewhat unnoticed and under appreciated in the west is just how much some dont take Russia to be a beyond-the-pale-pariah-state. Shocking in so many ways - it's not like Russia has ever shown any real sympathy to them.
bsky.app/profile/the-...
bsky.app/profile/the-...
Reposted by Ian
Reposted by Ian
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Circus
Amidst the absolute chaos of a Witkoff-stamped Russian psyop-as-peace plan, discussion is filled with anger at Washington and at Moscow.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"Europe’s problem is not that it lacks options. It is that it refuses to use them". Jade McGlynn skewers both the Dmitriev/Witkoff plan for Ukraine's destruction, & Europe's refusal to act decisively enough to prevent disaster. open.substack.com/pub/smalldee...
Reposted by Ian
Yes, but it is also a fact now that there is a pattern to it.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
The Trump cycle on Russia-Ukraine. Some pro-Russian plan emerges. Instant commentariat renew their "Trump as Russian plant" stories. Plan is amended under EU (and US) pressure. Putin rejects it. Instant commentariat is puzzled. Rinse and repeat. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
How Rubio Tried to Bring a Pro-Russia Peace Plan to Middle Ground
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Yes, but it is also a fact now that there is a pattern to it.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
Reposted by Ian
Presumably the news outlets can just say it was non-hurtful banter?
Reform Party threatened legal action for critical news stories
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Presumably the news outlets can just say it was non-hurtful banter?
Reposted by Ian
Paris has removed the paving from its city hall square and transformed it into an urban forest. Stunning! 🤩
August 19, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Paris has removed the paving from its city hall square and transformed it into an urban forest. Stunning! 🤩
Reposted by Ian
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Billionaire Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, pardoned by Donald Trump, has been accused of facilitating millions of dollars’ worth of payments to Hamas in the wake of its attack on Israel on October 7 2023. Zhao also financed the Trump family's entrance into the cryptocurrency market.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao accused of facilitating payments to Hamas
Crypto tycoon pardoned by Donald Trump faces US court complaint from families of victims of October 7 attack
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Months after JD Vance delivered his catastrophic Munich speech, this latest ‘plan’ (for Ukrainian Surrender) shows no sign of Vance having learnt anything since Munich. Not even that he’s being played by Russia brazenly.
bsky.app/profile/kyiv...
bsky.app/profile/kyiv...
U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for ending Russia’s war has been criticized as effectively imposing the Kremlin’s terms for Ukraine’s surrender.
But the plan also poses a direct threat to Europe's security architecture, analysts and diplomats believe.
But the plan also poses a direct threat to Europe's security architecture, analysts and diplomats believe.
Trump's peace plan undermines not only Ukraine's security but also Europe's, experts warn
U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for ending Russia’s war has been criticized as effectively imposing the Kremlin’s terms for Ukraine’s surrender.
But the plan also poses a direct threat to Europe's...
kyivindependent.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Months after JD Vance delivered his catastrophic Munich speech, this latest ‘plan’ (for Ukrainian Surrender) shows no sign of Vance having learnt anything since Munich. Not even that he’s being played by Russia brazenly.
bsky.app/profile/kyiv...
bsky.app/profile/kyiv...
Reposted by Ian
"The guidance is not enforceable".
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom bans social media giants from using ‘toxic’ algorithms
Regulator targets ‘manosphere’ misogyny and hate as seen in content produced by Andrew Tate
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:50 AM
"The guidance is not enforceable".
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Reposted by Ian
A bar owner has banned solo drinkers during peak hours and fans of the quiet pint on their own are outraged www.thepoke.com/2025/11/23/a...
November 25, 2025 at 7:54 AM
A bar owner has banned solo drinkers during peak hours and fans of the quiet pint on their own are outraged www.thepoke.com/2025/11/23/a...
Reposted by Ian
I guess it’s a compliment that the top story on BBC London’s TV/online output today is a direct lift of a month-old London Centric story? But once again the BBC is consistently the worst news outlet for actually remembering to credit others.
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I guess it’s a compliment that the top story on BBC London’s TV/online output today is a direct lift of a month-old London Centric story? But once again the BBC is consistently the worst news outlet for actually remembering to credit others.
I'd love to know the factors that lead to such a low cost for building a full 28km metro line with 24 stations. Cost of Labour and exchange rate cant account for all of that difference. Speed, technique , etc must surely add to the difference?
bsky.app/profile/jrur...
bsky.app/profile/jrur...
Chengdu Metro Line 30 Phase 1 getting ready for opening at the end of 2025. The project is a 27.8km 24 station long fully underground inner city line. The line was estimated to cost 175 million INT$/km to build. Below is Financial City North Station. Pic🧵. (1/6)
November 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I'd love to know the factors that lead to such a low cost for building a full 28km metro line with 24 stations. Cost of Labour and exchange rate cant account for all of that difference. Speed, technique , etc must surely add to the difference?
bsky.app/profile/jrur...
bsky.app/profile/jrur...
Part of the Kremlin project against Ukraine, to keep it under their thumb, has long been to ensure its leaders are financially implicated in Russia, that the perception of Ukraine in others is that 'its just another Mafia style Russia' etc.
bsky.app/profile/thet...
bsky.app/profile/thet...
A sergeant was left unable to work for three months after the alleged attack fractured her lumbar spine
Palestine Action activist ‘hit police with sledgehammer’ at factory
A sergeant was left unable to work for three months after the alleged attack fractured her lumbar spine
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Part of the Kremlin project against Ukraine, to keep it under their thumb, has long been to ensure its leaders are financially implicated in Russia, that the perception of Ukraine in others is that 'its just another Mafia style Russia' etc.
bsky.app/profile/thet...
bsky.app/profile/thet...
Reposted by Ian
Most know Kirill Dmitriev as the Russian president’s envoy. But to more than 200 investors in Ukraine, he is known for taking part in a Kyiv real estate project that ended in a fraud and criminal case. Using articles from 2011, I was able to find more details. 🧵Thread:
November 24, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Most know Kirill Dmitriev as the Russian president’s envoy. But to more than 200 investors in Ukraine, he is known for taking part in a Kyiv real estate project that ended in a fraud and criminal case. Using articles from 2011, I was able to find more details. 🧵Thread:
Proscribed group Palestinian Action has dropped out of the news, if not the courts, in recent weeks. Hitting a police officer with a sledgehammer? Hardly the 'non violent action' so many seemed to say that group partook of.
bsky.app/profile/thet...
bsky.app/profile/thet...
A sergeant was left unable to work for three months after the alleged attack fractured her lumbar spine
Palestine Action activist ‘hit police with sledgehammer’ at factory
A sergeant was left unable to work for three months after the alleged attack fractured her lumbar spine
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Proscribed group Palestinian Action has dropped out of the news, if not the courts, in recent weeks. Hitting a police officer with a sledgehammer? Hardly the 'non violent action' so many seemed to say that group partook of.
bsky.app/profile/thet...
bsky.app/profile/thet...
Reposted by Ian
Reminder that In the 1990s Farage sought the backing of the disgraced former Conservative MP and notorious racist Enoch Powell and twice asked him to stand as a candidate for UKIP.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Nigel Farage asked former Conservative MP Enoch Powell to back Ukip
Despite his ‘rivers of blood’ speech, the Ukip leader has said the central thrust of Powell’s immigration arguments hold true
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reminder that In the 1990s Farage sought the backing of the disgraced former Conservative MP and notorious racist Enoch Powell and twice asked him to stand as a candidate for UKIP.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Reposted by Ian
Seeing Nigel Garbage being shown up to be the racist cunt he has always been is simply delicious.
Delicious.
Delicious.
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Seeing Nigel Garbage being shown up to be the racist cunt he has always been is simply delicious.
Delicious.
Delicious.
Reposted by Ian
