John Heyderman
@johnheyderman.bsky.social
Living in East Dulwich, working in a library, wondering about philosophy and religion, especially Judaism.
https://philosophicalbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/
https://philosophicalbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/
This is all very good from @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social , but after Starmer's equivocation over Venezuela, this seems like posturing : you can take the Sudatenland, as long as you promise not to invade Poland.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper:
"Let me be very clear... Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark... The future of Greenland is a matter for the Greenlanders and Danes, and no one else."
"Let me be very clear... Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark... The future of Greenland is a matter for the Greenlanders and Danes, and no one else."
January 6, 2026 at 12:27 AM
This is all very good from @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social , but after Starmer's equivocation over Venezuela, this seems like posturing : you can take the Sudatenland, as long as you promise not to invade Poland.
I work for an institution which has carried out painstaking researching into the most effective way for public health agencies to disseminate information.
And in the end, it turns out that all you need to is USE BLOCK CAPITALS!
And in the end, it turns out that all you need to is USE BLOCK CAPITALS!
January 5, 2026 at 10:39 PM
I work for an institution which has carried out painstaking researching into the most effective way for public health agencies to disseminate information.
And in the end, it turns out that all you need to is USE BLOCK CAPITALS!
And in the end, it turns out that all you need to is USE BLOCK CAPITALS!
Reposted by John Heyderman
I’m in London for HMD 2026 - giving a talk & showcasing the Kitchener exhibition
Email for details & further info nearer the time.
The exhibition is a detailed, rich educational resource - about this still little-known history, told here thru refugee letters, documents & photographs.
Email for details & further info nearer the time.
The exhibition is a detailed, rich educational resource - about this still little-known history, told here thru refugee letters, documents & photographs.
The @wienerlibrary.bsky.social traveling exhibitions include Leave to Land: The Kitchener Camp Rescue, 1939, which I created from materials submitted by families to the Kitchener camp online project
It can be hired without charge for schools or events
👇🏻
wienerholocaustlibrary.org/exhibition/l...
It can be hired without charge for schools or events
👇🏻
wienerholocaustlibrary.org/exhibition/l...
October 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I’m in London for HMD 2026 - giving a talk & showcasing the Kitchener exhibition
Email for details & further info nearer the time.
The exhibition is a detailed, rich educational resource - about this still little-known history, told here thru refugee letters, documents & photographs.
Email for details & further info nearer the time.
The exhibition is a detailed, rich educational resource - about this still little-known history, told here thru refugee letters, documents & photographs.
I wonder if it's true that President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1939 that "Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
No doubt this will be quoted in the days to come.
No doubt this will be quoted in the days to come.
January 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
I wonder if it's true that President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1939 that "Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
No doubt this will be quoted in the days to come.
No doubt this will be quoted in the days to come.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, an annual present from #Norway was being taken down this morning.
I think they’re going to need a bigger skip.
I think they’re going to need a bigger skip.
January 5, 2026 at 8:52 PM
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, an annual present from #Norway was being taken down this morning.
I think they’re going to need a bigger skip.
I think they’re going to need a bigger skip.
Reposted by John Heyderman
My niece in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, has made a snow dalek that's featured in the Aberdeen Press and Journal. #proudaunt
January 5, 2026 at 7:50 AM
My niece in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, has made a snow dalek that's featured in the Aberdeen Press and Journal. #proudaunt
What’s the phrase that means the opposite of “the World’s Policeman?”
“The World’s Mafia Boss?”
“The World’s Mafia Boss?”
January 5, 2026 at 8:33 AM
What’s the phrase that means the opposite of “the World’s Policeman?”
“The World’s Mafia Boss?”
“The World’s Mafia Boss?”
Right now, there are officials from the State Department on the phone to the War Department, saying "So what's happening next?"
"What do you mean what's happening next? You tell us?"
"Well we don't know"
"Have you asked the Whitehouse?"
"They said to call you?"
"Have you tried the DEA?"
GOTO 010
"What do you mean what's happening next? You tell us?"
"Well we don't know"
"Have you asked the Whitehouse?"
"They said to call you?"
"Have you tried the DEA?"
GOTO 010
January 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Right now, there are officials from the State Department on the phone to the War Department, saying "So what's happening next?"
"What do you mean what's happening next? You tell us?"
"Well we don't know"
"Have you asked the Whitehouse?"
"They said to call you?"
"Have you tried the DEA?"
GOTO 010
"What do you mean what's happening next? You tell us?"
"Well we don't know"
"Have you asked the Whitehouse?"
"They said to call you?"
"Have you tried the DEA?"
GOTO 010
Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's aides, Stephen Miller - tweeted a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag alongside the word "SOON".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Danish PM tells Trump to stop 'threats' against Greenland
Mette Frederiksen said the
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Katie Miller - the wife of one of Trump's aides, Stephen Miller - tweeted a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag alongside the word "SOON".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This was never about restoring democracy.
John Bolton: “What I have to say, the most stunning part about the press conference was probably saying the U.S. was going to run the country. But the second most stunning was the assault on Mrs. Machado, the leader of the Democratic forces.”
via @kaitlancollins.bsky.social
via @kaitlancollins.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 8:01 PM
This was never about restoring democracy.
Maybe he can get a letter from his Mum saying he’s not feeling well and no one else can go to the meeting either.
Or, more likely, the UK will abstain.
Or, more likely, the UK will abstain.
There’s going to be a motion of censure at the UN and Starmer is going to have a decision to make.
January 4, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Maybe he can get a letter from his Mum saying he’s not feeling well and no one else can go to the meeting either.
Or, more likely, the UK will abstain.
Or, more likely, the UK will abstain.
Reposted by John Heyderman
The beginning of Torah portion Shemot (שְׁמוֹת) is indicated by this initial-word panel with exquisite penwork decoration and two entwined dragons.
#ParashahPictures
BnF Hébreu 36; Bible. A.T. (hébreu); 1300 CE; Poligny (France); f.71v @gallicabnf.bsky.social
#ParashahPictures
BnF Hébreu 36; Bible. A.T. (hébreu); 1300 CE; Poligny (France); f.71v @gallicabnf.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 5:24 PM
The beginning of Torah portion Shemot (שְׁמוֹת) is indicated by this initial-word panel with exquisite penwork decoration and two entwined dragons.
#ParashahPictures
BnF Hébreu 36; Bible. A.T. (hébreu); 1300 CE; Poligny (France); f.71v @gallicabnf.bsky.social
#ParashahPictures
BnF Hébreu 36; Bible. A.T. (hébreu); 1300 CE; Poligny (France); f.71v @gallicabnf.bsky.social
Reposted by John Heyderman
ז׳׳ל May his memory be for a blessing
January 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
ז׳׳ל May his memory be for a blessing
Reposted by John Heyderman
All it takes for evil to thrive is for mediocre world leaders to say “I’d rather not say”
January 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
All it takes for evil to thrive is for mediocre world leaders to say “I’d rather not say”
I realise it's not that easy for our Prime Minster and the Leader of the Oppostion to work out whether invading another country might be in contravention of international law. So just help them out, here's the relevant section from the United Nations Charter.
I think that settles it, don't you?
I think that settles it, don't you?
January 4, 2026 at 11:21 AM
I realise it's not that easy for our Prime Minster and the Leader of the Oppostion to work out whether invading another country might be in contravention of international law. So just help them out, here's the relevant section from the United Nations Charter.
I think that settles it, don't you?
I think that settles it, don't you?
Reposted by John Heyderman
So the plan seems to be to replace chaotic Venezuelan corruption with more efficient US corruption.
January 4, 2026 at 8:48 AM
So the plan seems to be to replace chaotic Venezuelan corruption with more efficient US corruption.
Reposted by John Heyderman
it's only a violation if you read international law literally rather than as a spiritual allegory
January 4, 2026 at 6:31 AM
it's only a violation if you read international law literally rather than as a spiritual allegory
Reposted by John Heyderman
Personally I just really love reading.
But I also adore libraries so go to your library this new year. They have all the books, you can request books and they nearly all have a online service for e books these days. #Libraries2026
But I also adore libraries so go to your library this new year. They have all the books, you can request books and they nearly all have a online service for e books these days. #Libraries2026
January 2, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Personally I just really love reading.
But I also adore libraries so go to your library this new year. They have all the books, you can request books and they nearly all have a online service for e books these days. #Libraries2026
But I also adore libraries so go to your library this new year. They have all the books, you can request books and they nearly all have a online service for e books these days. #Libraries2026
Reposted by John Heyderman
UK Foreign Office: "Um, well, you know, it's complicated, special relationship, we're watching closely."
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
January 3, 2026 at 5:53 PM
UK Foreign Office: "Um, well, you know, it's complicated, special relationship, we're watching closely."
Reposted by John Heyderman
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
No doubt if the Venezuelans resist the invasion, Trump will declare the entire population a terrorist organisation.
January 3, 2026 at 9:58 PM
No doubt if the Venezuelans resist the invasion, Trump will declare the entire population a terrorist organisation.
“The past was alterable. The past never had been altered. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.”
― George Orwell, 1984
― George Orwell, 1984
Watching Trump speak and justify why the US is entitled to invade another country and kidnap the president makes me think that when we started talking about the “post-truth” era, we had no idea of how deeply post-truth it’d become.
Perception of reality is now random and optional.
Perception of reality is now random and optional.
January 3, 2026 at 9:40 PM
“The past was alterable. The past never had been altered. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.”
― George Orwell, 1984
― George Orwell, 1984
Vistited the Natioinal Archives in Kew to do some family history research on Friday, but what I didn't find out was why they have rats in the gift shop. Anyone?
@nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
@nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
January 3, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Vistited the Natioinal Archives in Kew to do some family history research on Friday, but what I didn't find out was why they have rats in the gift shop. Anyone?
@nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
@nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
Reposted by John Heyderman
Why is no-one talking about the fact that they kidnapped his wife too? Feels like I'm going insane.
January 3, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Why is no-one talking about the fact that they kidnapped his wife too? Feels like I'm going insane.
Reposted by John Heyderman
The Wheel of Fortune turns for every leader sooner or later
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 066; p.66
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 066; p.66
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The Wheel of Fortune turns for every leader sooner or later
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 066; p.66
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 066; p.66
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social