Kathy O'Donnell
@kathyodonnell.bsky.social
Journalist, parent to two grown-ups, LGBT+ rights campaigner, former night editor of The Times, Scotland. Lives in France. [she/her]
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned one of our greatest writers into a disposable meme
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned a great writer into a disposable meme
George Orwell has been appropriated by both the left and right and turned into an cliche. Our Writer at Large Neil Mackay asks: can we save him from…
www.heraldscotland.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Hijacking Orwell: how culture war turned one of our greatest writers into a disposable meme
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Orwell is endlessly quoted - and misquoted - by online idiots and professional provocateurs. The very people he denounced now exploit his legacy and desecrate his words.
Can we save him from the barbarians?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 18, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The First Minister said that trans people are valued in Scotland, that he understands the anguish and hurt created by the Supreme Court ruling. Why then is his govt using the very same words from that judgment in law when it doesn’t need to? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
![SCENE: A PASSPORT CONTROL GATE, IN THE SKY, ON A CLOUD. THE PASSPORT CONTROL GATE HAS ‘CORPOREAL REALM’ WRITTEN ON IT.
PASSPORT CONTROL OFFICIAL: Passport please, sir.
OFFICIAL [LOOKING AT PASSPORT]: Ah - the famous Dr Jenner!
EDWARD JENNER, A FLOATING GHOST IN EDWARDIAN GARB: Indeed, haha
OFFICIAL: And what's the purpose of your visit to the corporeal realm, Dr Jenner?
EDWARD JENNER: Haunting.
OFFICIAL: Oh lovely. Anyone nice?
EDWARD JENNER: Just a little tour of some anti-vaxxers.
OFFICIAL: Wonderful. I hear Andrew Wakefield’s bedroom is just •perfect• at this time of year.
EDWARD JENNER: It is! I spent last summer standing by his bed, calling him a c--.
OFFICIAL: Lucky yooou…
OFFICIAL [LOOKING AT DOCUMENTS]: Oh... oh dear...
EDWARD JENNER: Is everything OK?
OFFICIAL: I’m afraid your card says you haven’t had the required stupidity vaccination for your trip.
EDWARD JENNER: Oh dear!
OFFICIAL: It’s fine - we can do it here…
Just read this anti-vax tweet by Jim Carrey
EDWARD JENNER [reading a smartphone]: Egads!
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibelysv45nptkn3fzrjup3xl5tx5pcmnzvmcbpim72tul5dvyf2w4@jpeg)
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
In the last SNP manifesto, they proudly said they were “leading Europe on LGBTI equality”. But we remember what Governments do, not what they say. How will we remember their choice to use the definition of “sex” from the Supreme Court ruling in law? equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In the last SNP manifesto, they proudly said they were “leading Europe on LGBTI equality”. But we remember what Governments do, not what they say. How will we remember their choice to use the definition of “sex” from the Supreme Court ruling in law? equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Calling all Journalists!
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Calling all Journalists!
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
(Assuming there are any left in the UK, that is.)
Reform have announced that it is their policy to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
A few suggested questions for Farage and Co, and, in particular Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate in Gorton and Denton, and …
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
This man's company has big contracts with the UK government.
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
👉 Palantir CEO Alex Karp
“You need a higher purpose, and I think you often need a lower purpose"
“What’s your lower purpose?”
Karp: “I love the idea of getting a drone and having light fentanyl-laced urine spraying on analysts that tried to screw us.”
“You need a higher purpose, and I think you often need a lower purpose"
“What’s your lower purpose?”
Karp: “I love the idea of getting a drone and having light fentanyl-laced urine spraying on analysts that tried to screw us.”
February 18, 2026 at 6:51 AM
This man's company has big contracts with the UK government.
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
This man has been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on Laura Kuenssberg's show.
This man is documented (allegedly) as having interviewed Louis Mosley for a job by reciting - dramatically - a speech by his grandfather Oswald.
#R4Today
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
A dreadful story, but buried in the middle is: "A tall friend says she gets shouted at all the time", hmm, I wonder what gets shouted at her Guardian and whether you might have anything to do with why people would be picking on and shouting at TALL women in particular 🤔
A man pushed me in the street, he wanted to teach me a lesson. Is that OK now? | Lucy Pasha-Robinson
A man pushed me in the street, he wanted to teach me a lesson. Is that OK now? | Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Many women reading this will have experienced something similar: a warning that sharing public space isn’t a man’s job, it’s a woman’s, says Lucy Pasha-Robinson, a Guardian assistant Opinion editor
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:21 AM
A dreadful story, but buried in the middle is: "A tall friend says she gets shouted at all the time", hmm, I wonder what gets shouted at her Guardian and whether you might have anything to do with why people would be picking on and shouting at TALL women in particular 🤔
ALERT!!
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
21 East Crosscauseway, built around 1778 on what is now a side street but was then the only paved road in the south of Edinburgh, which linked the city’s two main roads south. (The name comes an unfortunate anglicisation of the Scots word "causey", meaning "paved".)
Former residents include:
Former residents include:
February 17, 2026 at 10:16 AM
ALERT!!
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Incoming Tenement Town.
Stand by your beds.
Johnson caught lying about his relationship with US far-right fixer Bannon.
Asked back in 2019 about reports of his work with Steve Bannon, Boris Johnson described them as “the biggest load of codswallop I have ever heard.”
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following the publication of Bannon's messages to Epstein confirming the relationship
Bannon, Epstein, Farage and Johnson and the Plot to 'Topple' Theresa May
The far-right former Trump adviser told Jeffrey Epstein that "we are overthrowing May right now" as he worked with Boris Johnson to remove the then Conservative Prime Minister from office
bylinetimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Johnson caught lying about his relationship with US far-right fixer Bannon.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Dr Beth Upton went to work one day to help sick people, and that is it. She's done nothing wrong (highlighted by the courts), never got involved in the media, never said a bad word about anyone, even once. And she's been hounded out of the country by bigots who hate that she exists.
February 15, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Dr Beth Upton went to work one day to help sick people, and that is it. She's done nothing wrong (highlighted by the courts), never got involved in the media, never said a bad word about anyone, even once. And she's been hounded out of the country by bigots who hate that she exists.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It would be really nice if all the high profile cis women who have spent years bashing trans people because they think their existence is an affront to our rights would turn their attention to this actual women-hating fascist rhetoric, coming from Reform, please - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGg...
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM
It would be really nice if all the high profile cis women who have spent years bashing trans people because they think their existence is an affront to our rights would turn their attention to this actual women-hating fascist rhetoric, coming from Reform, please - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGg...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
International human rights actors have sounded the alarm about April’s Supreme Court ruling and the direction of travel for trans people’s rights in the UK. Does Scot Gov want to be remembered for playing its part in protecting our rights? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
February 15, 2026 at 10:01 AM
International human rights actors have sounded the alarm about April’s Supreme Court ruling and the direction of travel for trans people’s rights in the UK. Does Scot Gov want to be remembered for playing its part in protecting our rights? Ask them: equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/howwillthisb...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
A truly wonderful teacher at our primary school needs help. A father of three, a volunteer fireman and a positive, selfless star of this community, he has a big, aggressive brain tumour for which there is currently no cure. Please help, even if you can only give a little. gofund.me/744fe0eba
Donate to Help Local Teacher and Firefighter Access Urgent Treatment, organized by Brian McKinnon
For the past seven years, James McPherson (Mr McPherson to th… Brian McKinnon needs your support for Help Local Teacher and Firefighter Access Urgent Treatment
gofund.me
February 15, 2026 at 10:07 AM
A truly wonderful teacher at our primary school needs help. A father of three, a volunteer fireman and a positive, selfless star of this community, he has a big, aggressive brain tumour for which there is currently no cure. Please help, even if you can only give a little. gofund.me/744fe0eba
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Urgh! It's snowing.
Well that can fuck right off.
Well that can fuck right off.
February 15, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Urgh! It's snowing.
Well that can fuck right off.
Well that can fuck right off.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It's not hyperbole to say that trans people are facing a human rights crisis in the UK, and it's been entirely cultivated by the worst people including a large chunk of the Labour Party
February 14, 2026 at 9:44 AM
It's not hyperbole to say that trans people are facing a human rights crisis in the UK, and it's been entirely cultivated by the worst people including a large chunk of the Labour Party
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
February 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
My dude, for immigrants, trans people and the disabled, the person wandering around with the candle snuffer is you.
February 14, 2026 at 9:20 AM
My dude, for immigrants, trans people and the disabled, the person wandering around with the candle snuffer is you.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
If you're reading the mainstream media headlines on the 'Keeping children safe in education' draft guidance and worrying about the kids being transed in kindergarten, please stop and take a peek at my blog, written with specific reference to Alice's experience at school.
Keeping children safe in education (as long as they're cis)
The UK government has just published draft guidance: ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026 (KCSIE)’What’s not to like about a document with those intentions?Any initiative that aims to safeguard o...
www.carolinelitman.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:54 AM
If you're reading the mainstream media headlines on the 'Keeping children safe in education' draft guidance and worrying about the kids being transed in kindergarten, please stop and take a peek at my blog, written with specific reference to Alice's experience at school.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Westminster is in chaos, armpit deep in the Epstein scandal and Labour plotting. Yet there’s radio silence from the SNP on independence. Now is the moment to strike and say an Indy Scotland would be better than this circus. Speak out now if you want to win the fight
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Is the SNP still actually interested in delivering Scottish independence?
As Westminster reels from scandal and chaos, is the SNP missing its moment to press the case for Scottish independence?
www.heraldscotland.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Westminster is in chaos, armpit deep in the Epstein scandal and Labour plotting. Yet there’s radio silence from the SNP on independence. Now is the moment to strike and say an Indy Scotland would be better than this circus. Speak out now if you want to win the fight
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
we obviously did stuff about mandelson in this too but this bit made me laugh
This week’s NonCensored is out NOW in all the best podcast apps and features an exclusive interview with Health Secretary Wes Streeting!
Podfollow.com/NonCensored
Podfollow.com/NonCensored
February 13, 2026 at 6:10 PM
we obviously did stuff about mandelson in this too but this bit made me laugh
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
It has to be said that France is killing it in the Biathlon. #WinterOlympics
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
February 13, 2026 at 1:46 PM
It has to be said that France is killing it in the Biathlon. #WinterOlympics
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.