Peter Howitt
@peterhowitt.bsky.social
AI optimist (Iain M Banks / James Lovelock variety). Full time lawyer, part-time poet and fumbling philosopher - "That is not what I meant, at all.”
https://compossible.blog/
https://compossible.blog/
Pinned
Peter Howitt
@peterhowitt.bsky.social
· Nov 19
🧵Portrait of a poem:
for me it usually starts with some half forgotten feeling that's monkeying around in my subconscious. In this case, a feeling of beauty & the grief of my wife during a piano concert by Joep Beving. I didn't have the exact line to start (sometimes I get given that to work with)
for me it usually starts with some half forgotten feeling that's monkeying around in my subconscious. In this case, a feeling of beauty & the grief of my wife during a piano concert by Joep Beving. I didn't have the exact line to start (sometimes I get given that to work with)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Ezra Klein says there is no plan, you say there is no strategy. Meanwhile we watch mafia paedophile man shake down the world and reconstruct America using a detailed neo-fascist blueprint financed by numerous billionaires. There is a plan and a strategy and this is it. Most of us just don't like it.
January 20, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Ezra Klein says there is no plan, you say there is no strategy. Meanwhile we watch mafia paedophile man shake down the world and reconstruct America using a detailed neo-fascist blueprint financed by numerous billionaires. There is a plan and a strategy and this is it. Most of us just don't like it.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Mark Rutte: where’s daddy?
Posting your private sycophantic notes on Truth Social…
Posting your private sycophantic notes on Truth Social…
January 20, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Mark Rutte: where’s daddy?
Posting your private sycophantic notes on Truth Social…
Posting your private sycophantic notes on Truth Social…
"Trump is forcing the Europeans to grow a spine," says Niclas Poitiers, an economist and expert in international trade at the Brussels-based Bruegel think-tank.
Growing a spine takes time!
Growing a spine takes time!
Greenland: Europe is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump
Transatlantic relations aren't broken, though they are damaged. And if Europeans want to try to cut through with Trump, they'll have to stick together, writes Europe Editor Katya Adler
www.bbc.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:11 AM
"Trump is forcing the Europeans to grow a spine," says Niclas Poitiers, an economist and expert in international trade at the Brussels-based Bruegel think-tank.
Growing a spine takes time!
Growing a spine takes time!
Train collision in Cordoba, Spain. At least 40 people have died.
What we know about Spain's worst train disaster in over a decade
What caused the train to derail remains unclear but officials say an investigation has been launched.
www.bbc.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Train collision in Cordoba, Spain. At least 40 people have died.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Tone here is very much me explaining to my toddler that the fish fingers can't be put back together once I've cut them up.
NORWAY PM: I HAVE REPEATEDLY CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO TRUMP THAT IT IS AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE THAT AWARDS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
January 19, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Tone here is very much me explaining to my toddler that the fish fingers can't be put back together once I've cut them up.
Interesting article though the Atlantic peddles a largely benevolent motive for US foreign policy post WW2 - conveniently ignoring that it was actually a sophisticated mix of law, loans, monetary control & diplomacy interspersed with ultra-violence to maintain economic control across the world
Great Kagan piece, esp this:
"Perhaps more extraordinary than America’s ability and willingness to play the dominant role was the readiness of most other great powers to embrace and legitimize its dominance—even at the expense of their own potency."
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
"Perhaps more extraordinary than America’s ability and willingness to play the dominant role was the readiness of most other great powers to embrace and legitimize its dominance—even at the expense of their own potency."
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
America vs. the World
President Trump wants to return to the 19th century’s international order. He will leave America less prosperous—and the whole world less secure.
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Interesting article though the Atlantic peddles a largely benevolent motive for US foreign policy post WW2 - conveniently ignoring that it was actually a sophisticated mix of law, loans, monetary control & diplomacy interspersed with ultra-violence to maintain economic control across the world
Reposted by Peter Howitt
A lesson Russia learned in the 2010s.
January 19, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A lesson Russia learned in the 2010s.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
When I said the other day that the US would need a process of denazification after Trump and his cohort are finally gone, I wasn't kidding. Just "defund" isn't going to be enough.
Beyond the fact that this bugfuck insane letter was written and sent to the leader of Norway, the State Dept agreeing to distribute it to other heads of state instead of objecting and honorably resigning or at the very least planning some kind of coverup is a sign of deep institutional collapse.
So this is why Trump is fixated on Greenland. Vengeance strikes again. This guy is dangerous.
January 19, 2026 at 4:04 PM
When I said the other day that the US would need a process of denazification after Trump and his cohort are finally gone, I wasn't kidding. Just "defund" isn't going to be enough.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Reposted by Peter Howitt
This would not happen in a democracy, which is why, if we are serious about our commitment to it, we must accept we do not currently live in democracies and that moving towards such a system would require radical change rather than faith in the status quo
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘Brazen’ political influence of rich laid bare as wealth of billionaires reaches $18.3tn, says Oxfam
Governments opting for oligarchy while brutally repressing protests over austerity and lack of jobs, charity report says
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:34 AM
This would not happen in a democracy, which is why, if we are serious about our commitment to it, we must accept we do not currently live in democracies and that moving towards such a system would require radical change rather than faith in the status quo
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
When Trump says "one way or another we're going to have Greenland" - we should sit up and listen.
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Trump's threat to Greenland must be a wake up call for Britain
For too long our politicians have toadied to a dangerous president
www.newstatesman.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:52 AM
When Trump says "one way or another we're going to have Greenland" - we should sit up and listen.
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
"To him, the process of making art is what matters, not the end product: “You know, you eat something, you digest, then later you go to toilet. You just flush it away — into a gallery!”
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
Ai Weiwei: ‘You in the West can’t compete with China’
Dissident artist Ai Weiwei was forced into exile by China. So how come the 68-year-old defends the regime’s stance on Taiwan, censorship and global politics?
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:54 AM
"To him, the process of making art is what matters, not the end product: “You know, you eat something, you digest, then later you go to toilet. You just flush it away — into a gallery!”
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
How do we make sense of what’s happening inside of Iran, given the internet blackout and the restrictions on foreign media?
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social reacts to the debate over Iran’s protests — tackling the crackdown on Iranian protesters and reports of US/Israeli interference: youtu.be/sjvnEf06CbA
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social reacts to the debate over Iran’s protests — tackling the crackdown on Iranian protesters and reports of US/Israeli interference: youtu.be/sjvnEf06CbA
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
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January 17, 2026 at 10:54 PM
How do we make sense of what’s happening inside of Iran, given the internet blackout and the restrictions on foreign media?
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social reacts to the debate over Iran’s protests — tackling the crackdown on Iranian protesters and reports of US/Israeli interference: youtu.be/sjvnEf06CbA
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social reacts to the debate over Iran’s protests — tackling the crackdown on Iranian protesters and reports of US/Israeli interference: youtu.be/sjvnEf06CbA
Reposted by Peter Howitt
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Peter Howitt
🔥 A FRIDAY MUST‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
SHOCKING💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
For Decades, He Kept Netanyahu's Deepest Secrets. Now He Tells All
Bypass paywall 🔗
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/... 🧵
By the courageous Uri Misgav
SHOCKING💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
For Decades, He Kept Netanyahu's Deepest Secrets. Now He Tells All
Bypass paywall 🔗
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/... 🧵
By the courageous Uri Misgav
January 16, 2026 at 10:01 PM
🔥 A FRIDAY MUST‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
SHOCKING💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
For Decades, He Kept Netanyahu's Deepest Secrets. Now He Tells All
Bypass paywall 🔗
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/... 🧵
By the courageous Uri Misgav
SHOCKING💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
For Decades, He Kept Netanyahu's Deepest Secrets. Now He Tells All
Bypass paywall 🔗
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/... 🧵
By the courageous Uri Misgav
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Day 49 of posting this until there is justice for brothers Fadi and Jumaa Abu Asi who were murdered by the IDF ‼️
January 16, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Day 49 of posting this until there is justice for brothers Fadi and Jumaa Abu Asi who were murdered by the IDF ‼️
Reposted by Peter Howitt
The Fayed/Harrods case bears the hallmarks of sex trafficking
At least 400 women have come forward in the wake of the Harrods abuse scandal so why aren’t they being referred to the National Referral Mechanism?
@centralbylines.co.uk
At least 400 women have come forward in the wake of the Harrods abuse scandal so why aren’t they being referred to the National Referral Mechanism?
@centralbylines.co.uk
The Fayed/Harrods case bears the hallmarks of sex trafficking
At least 400 women have come forward in the wake of the Harrods abuse scandal so why aren’t they being refered to the National Referral Mechanism?
centralbylines.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:37 PM
The Fayed/Harrods case bears the hallmarks of sex trafficking
At least 400 women have come forward in the wake of the Harrods abuse scandal so why aren’t they being referred to the National Referral Mechanism?
@centralbylines.co.uk
At least 400 women have come forward in the wake of the Harrods abuse scandal so why aren’t they being referred to the National Referral Mechanism?
@centralbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Peter Howitt
big things happening
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 10:03 PM
big things happening
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Thousands left without water in the middle of winter in the UK. And those same people are now facing a massive bill hike.
Privatised water is a scam.
I've written to the Prime Minister asking why he won't end this rip off and bring failing South East Water into public hands.
Privatised water is a scam.
I've written to the Prime Minister asking why he won't end this rip off and bring failing South East Water into public hands.
January 15, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Thousands left without water in the middle of winter in the UK. And those same people are now facing a massive bill hike.
Privatised water is a scam.
I've written to the Prime Minister asking why he won't end this rip off and bring failing South East Water into public hands.
Privatised water is a scam.
I've written to the Prime Minister asking why he won't end this rip off and bring failing South East Water into public hands.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Trump is threatening wars with NATO and Venezuela for the same reason he’s at war with the American people: fascism must always be on the march.
Authoritarians are good at offense, but bad at defense. The only strategy for combating the Epstein crisis is literally going to war.
Authoritarians are good at offense, but bad at defense. The only strategy for combating the Epstein crisis is literally going to war.
January 15, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Trump is threatening wars with NATO and Venezuela for the same reason he’s at war with the American people: fascism must always be on the march.
Authoritarians are good at offense, but bad at defense. The only strategy for combating the Epstein crisis is literally going to war.
Authoritarians are good at offense, but bad at defense. The only strategy for combating the Epstein crisis is literally going to war.
This US administration understands only force and never law, justice or fairness
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island
France says a small military contingent has arrived and more forces will be there in the coming days.
www.bbc.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:12 PM
This US administration understands only force and never law, justice or fairness
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"Hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, the 19 monks began their 2,300 mile (3,700 kilometer) trek at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth."
The Buddhist monks captivating Americans while walking across the country for peace
The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies
www.independent.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:04 PM
"Hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, the 19 monks began their 2,300 mile (3,700 kilometer) trek at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth."
"According to a US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on the CIA detention and interrogation programme, Zubaydah was routinely subjected to treatment that by UK standards would be considered torture, including being waterboarded 83 times." He is still held without charge 23 years later.
Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah paid 'substantial' compensation by UK to settle torture complicity case
Detained without trial in 2006, Zubaydah is one of 15 people who remain at the US military prison.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 8:58 PM
"According to a US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on the CIA detention and interrogation programme, Zubaydah was routinely subjected to treatment that by UK standards would be considered torture, including being waterboarded 83 times." He is still held without charge 23 years later.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
2026: Peter Thiel and Gavin Newsom teaming up against a billionaire tax proposed by a health care workers union...
As Newsom's closest political advisors gorge on lucrative contracts from venture capital.
Unfortunately, it's not just Republicans who are the problem
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
As Newsom's closest political advisors gorge on lucrative contracts from venture capital.
Unfortunately, it's not just Republicans who are the problem
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Thiel Gives $3 Million to Group Seeking to Block California Wealth Tax
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:17 PM
2026: Peter Thiel and Gavin Newsom teaming up against a billionaire tax proposed by a health care workers union...
As Newsom's closest political advisors gorge on lucrative contracts from venture capital.
Unfortunately, it's not just Republicans who are the problem
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
As Newsom's closest political advisors gorge on lucrative contracts from venture capital.
Unfortunately, it's not just Republicans who are the problem
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Ffs. These people are without shame. All grunting around in the trough demanding peerages and then sulking off to Reform: home from home for corrupt Tory millionaires who’ve already had one long go at screwing us over and think they deserve another shot.
They can all go to hell.
They can all go to hell.
❤️🔥Tory sources confirm that Nadhim Zahawi made approaches to senior members of Kemi Badenoch's team about getting a peerage just weeks before defecting to Reform UK - but was turned down.
January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Ffs. These people are without shame. All grunting around in the trough demanding peerages and then sulking off to Reform: home from home for corrupt Tory millionaires who’ve already had one long go at screwing us over and think they deserve another shot.
They can all go to hell.
They can all go to hell.