Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
Former UK diplomat. Neglectful gardener, baker, and maker. There is one planet. We pass through and are supposed to take care of it. Politics, as well as random observations on other stuff. No unsolicited DMs.
Pinned
Simon Pease
@simonpease.bsky.social
· Dec 2
Human beings are capable of believing two things which are mutually contradictory at the same time, without realising it.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Both experience and logic tell us that a democracy cannot be expected survive if it allows sweeping power to be granted to people whose intention is to subvert the democratic and constitutional functioning of the state.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
February 2, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Both experience and logic tell us that a democracy cannot be expected survive if it allows sweeping power to be granted to people whose intention is to subvert the democratic and constitutional functioning of the state.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
It isn’t “democratic” to allow such people to take power.
It’s suicidal.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Relatedly, are babies and pets really carrying their fair share of the load? Can we find ways to put them to work?
Dr Oz: "If we could get the average American to start working a year earlier, right out of high school, or a year later -- not retire -- or work better during their lifetime because they're healthy, it would generate about $3 trillion to the US economy. That would more than remove the debt."
February 2, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Relatedly, are babies and pets really carrying their fair share of the load? Can we find ways to put them to work?
Reposted by Simon Pease
“A vote is only a tool for us […] We do not want to join this pile of manure. We are coming to shovel it out”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Need to hear more?
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Need to hear more?
“We enter the Reichstag to arm ourselves […]. If democracy is foolish enough to give us free railway passes and salaries, that is its problem. […] Any way of bringing about the revolution is fine by us. […] the state itself will pay for our fighting organisation”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
“Do not believe that parliament is our goal. […] We are coming neither as friends nor neutrals. We come as enemies! As the wolf attacks the sheep, so come we”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
February 2, 2026 at 9:27 PM
“A vote is only a tool for us […] We do not want to join this pile of manure. We are coming to shovel it out”.
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Need to hear more?
Joseph Goebbels, 1928
Need to hear more?
Reposted by Simon Pease
Who the hell is Richard Hanania (shudder)?
Presented without comment. I just want everyone here to know.
I want you to know what you're looking at the next time you see this guy being interviewed or RTed by an Abundance bro.
1/8
I want you to know what you're looking at the next time you see this guy being interviewed or RTed by an Abundance bro.
1/8
February 2, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Who the hell is Richard Hanania (shudder)?
Reposted by Simon Pease
The test for whether sufficient Epstein documents have been disclosed is simple.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
February 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The test for whether sufficient Epstein documents have been disclosed is simple.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Do the documents so far disclosed explain the prosecutorial decisions and defense decisions, and any court decisions?
If not, there is a gap between what has been disclosed and what was before court and the parties.
Reposted by Simon Pease
“The men are all German nationals; two are also Russian citizens and another is also a Ukrainian citizen. They are suspected of membership in a criminal organization and violating Germany's foreign trade and payments act.”
Germany detains 5 men accused of illegally exporting goods to Russian defense companies
Germany detains 5 men accused of illegally exporting goods to Russian defense companies
Germany detains 5 men accused of illegally exporting goods to Russian defense companies
www.independent.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:37 PM
“The men are all German nationals; two are also Russian citizens and another is also a Ukrainian citizen. They are suspected of membership in a criminal organization and violating Germany's foreign trade and payments act.”
Reposted by Simon Pease
Jesus Christ.
How many confidential, highly commercially sensitive 🇬🇧 Gov documents did Mandelson just forward to the likes of Epstein and Larry Summers, the then 🇺🇸 Treasury Secretary? …Barely taking the time to read them.
bsky.app/profile/dann...
How many confidential, highly commercially sensitive 🇬🇧 Gov documents did Mandelson just forward to the likes of Epstein and Larry Summers, the then 🇺🇸 Treasury Secretary? …Barely taking the time to read them.
bsky.app/profile/dann...
There's more.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
February 2, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Jesus Christ.
How many confidential, highly commercially sensitive 🇬🇧 Gov documents did Mandelson just forward to the likes of Epstein and Larry Summers, the then 🇺🇸 Treasury Secretary? …Barely taking the time to read them.
bsky.app/profile/dann...
How many confidential, highly commercially sensitive 🇬🇧 Gov documents did Mandelson just forward to the likes of Epstein and Larry Summers, the then 🇺🇸 Treasury Secretary? …Barely taking the time to read them.
bsky.app/profile/dann...
Reposted by Simon Pease
“If they had any sense, they would take Mandelson’s peerage, kick him out of the Privy Council, and charge him with misconduct in public office.
The sooner the better.” 👏
The sooner the better.” 👏
February 2, 2026 at 8:53 PM
“If they had any sense, they would take Mandelson’s peerage, kick him out of the Privy Council, and charge him with misconduct in public office.
The sooner the better.” 👏
The sooner the better.” 👏
It's now the case that anything "pushed" at you on the internet is Rubbish based on misinformation, isn't it? And even when you search for something, you have to wade through dross to find a speck of truth.
February 2, 2026 at 7:42 PM
It's now the case that anything "pushed" at you on the internet is Rubbish based on misinformation, isn't it? And even when you search for something, you have to wade through dross to find a speck of truth.
Reposted by Simon Pease
India to eliminate all tariffs and non-tariff barriers for the US. Hang on a moment 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
February 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
India to eliminate all tariffs and non-tariff barriers for the US. Hang on a moment 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Reposted by Simon Pease
Well. So, Nov 2017, the FBI knew Epstein used videos of underage women. That Epstein was Putin’s wealth manager.
That Epstein was “very close” to Trump. And that Trump went to lunch with Epstein as recently as 2015…so much for that falling out decade(s) before
That Epstein was “very close” to Trump. And that Trump went to lunch with Epstein as recently as 2015…so much for that falling out decade(s) before
And perhaps, behind it all, this sea of dark money and kompromat
February 2, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Well. So, Nov 2017, the FBI knew Epstein used videos of underage women. That Epstein was Putin’s wealth manager.
That Epstein was “very close” to Trump. And that Trump went to lunch with Epstein as recently as 2015…so much for that falling out decade(s) before
That Epstein was “very close” to Trump. And that Trump went to lunch with Epstein as recently as 2015…so much for that falling out decade(s) before
Reposted by Simon Pease
Our media rightly rages about the already-disgraced Mandelson and Andrew but wrongly fails to hold others in that murky moneyed network to account.
Our democracy is under attack from these dismal people right now. Do not be exposing that a decade too late.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/steve-b...
Our democracy is under attack from these dismal people right now. Do not be exposing that a decade too late.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/steve-b...
Steve Bannon boasted about Farage ties in exchange with Epstein
Revelation comes as image surfaces of Bannon with Matt Goodwin, candidate for Farage's Reform UK in crucial Gorton and Denton by-election
www.middleeasteye.net
February 2, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Our media rightly rages about the already-disgraced Mandelson and Andrew but wrongly fails to hold others in that murky moneyed network to account.
Our democracy is under attack from these dismal people right now. Do not be exposing that a decade too late.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/steve-b...
Our democracy is under attack from these dismal people right now. Do not be exposing that a decade too late.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/steve-b...
Reposted by Simon Pease
The media was asking Mandelson about Greenland just a week ago. We need to stop this.
Mandelson was on Laura kuensberg the other week and she asked him why he stayed friends with Epstein after he’d been to prison for being a paedo and he gave some excuse and then they just carried on talking about other news stories for the rest of the interview.
February 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The media was asking Mandelson about Greenland just a week ago. We need to stop this.
Reposted by Simon Pease
A certain type of divorced guy who can’t move in with his life and so invents grievances about his ex in an attempt to convince himself that she’s still thinking about him.
February 2, 2026 at 8:10 AM
A certain type of divorced guy who can’t move in with his life and so invents grievances about his ex in an attempt to convince himself that she’s still thinking about him.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Not sure ‘botched’ Brexit is the way to go. Particularly as Farage agrees, blames the Tories and threatens to make it even worse.
At some point you need to tell the truth. It’s not botched. It’s exactly what you get when you prioritise prejudice over pragmatism.
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/01/2...
At some point you need to tell the truth. It’s not botched. It’s exactly what you get when you prioritise prejudice over pragmatism.
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/01/2...
February 2, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Not sure ‘botched’ Brexit is the way to go. Particularly as Farage agrees, blames the Tories and threatens to make it even worse.
At some point you need to tell the truth. It’s not botched. It’s exactly what you get when you prioritise prejudice over pragmatism.
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/01/2...
At some point you need to tell the truth. It’s not botched. It’s exactly what you get when you prioritise prejudice over pragmatism.
app.independent.co.uk/2026/02/01/2...
Reposted by Simon Pease
Good morning from Hamburg.
It is minus seven degrees outside.
Thinking of Ukraine where people have no heating or warm food.
It is minus seven degrees outside.
Thinking of Ukraine where people have no heating or warm food.
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Good morning from Hamburg.
It is minus seven degrees outside.
Thinking of Ukraine where people have no heating or warm food.
It is minus seven degrees outside.
Thinking of Ukraine where people have no heating or warm food.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Why isn't this a major news story?
February 2, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Why isn't this a major news story?
Reposted by Simon Pease
The Times published this fantasy monologue from Milburn on the front page without bothering to do the most basic factchecking, and follows up with the mealy-mouthed and borderline incomprehensible correction above. Pathetic excuse for journalism.
February 1, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The Times published this fantasy monologue from Milburn on the front page without bothering to do the most basic factchecking, and follows up with the mealy-mouthed and borderline incomprehensible correction above. Pathetic excuse for journalism.
This is excellent. A clear analysis, simply expressed and based on clear evidence. The kind of thing, dare one say, that should be in a mainstream newspaper.
The world looks a darker place than it did 30 years ago, and Britain is a much less happy country.
People are angry, and Reform UK says Britain is broken.
So how did we get here, and should we believe they can fix it?
People are angry, and Reform UK says Britain is broken.
So how did we get here, and should we believe they can fix it?
Who broke Britain?
Reform says Britain is broken, and they offer radical change to put it right. But who broke it? We name the guilty parties.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:06 AM
This is excellent. A clear analysis, simply expressed and based on clear evidence. The kind of thing, dare one say, that should be in a mainstream newspaper.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Objectively hilarious.
February 1, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Objectively hilarious.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Awkward for Farage because a good number of Clarkson's many hardcore fans are natural Reform voters and will listen to him.
✅ Clarkson is right, people aren’t voting Reform for policies 👉there aren’t any.
It’s a protest vote powered by nostalgia not a plan for future.
Reform use farming as a prop. Their real plan is USA trade deal, hormone-treated imports and they’ve appointed Ben Goldsmith
🔗 archive.ph/2026.01.31-0...
It’s a protest vote powered by nostalgia not a plan for future.
Reform use farming as a prop. Their real plan is USA trade deal, hormone-treated imports and they’ve appointed Ben Goldsmith
🔗 archive.ph/2026.01.31-0...
February 1, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Awkward for Farage because a good number of Clarkson's many hardcore fans are natural Reform voters and will listen to him.
Reposted by Simon Pease
In a word *Exclusivity*. The exclusivity the UK class system affords to the Upper Class cannot be protected within the EU.
Six years after Brexit, the UK is still navigating a delicate balancing act on ties with Brussels and Washington.
Why is it so difficult to choose between an American dictator and membership of the world's largest trading bloc?
Join the www.europeanmovement.co.uk!
#FBPE supports them.
Why is it so difficult to choose between an American dictator and membership of the world's largest trading bloc?
Join the www.europeanmovement.co.uk!
#FBPE supports them.
January 31, 2026 at 8:51 PM
In a word *Exclusivity*. The exclusivity the UK class system affords to the Upper Class cannot be protected within the EU.
Reposted by Simon Pease
Zelenskyy at Davos: And Europe must be strong. And Ukraine is ready to help – with anything needed to guarantee peace and prevent destruction. We are ready to help others become stronger than they are now. We are ready to be part of a Europe that truly matters – a Europe of real power – great power.
February 1, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Zelenskyy at Davos: And Europe must be strong. And Ukraine is ready to help – with anything needed to guarantee peace and prevent destruction. We are ready to help others become stronger than they are now. We are ready to be part of a Europe that truly matters – a Europe of real power – great power.
Reposted by Simon Pease
“She already pulled herself by the G-String”
February 1, 2026 at 1:08 AM
“She already pulled herself by the G-String”
Reposted by Simon Pease
Mmm. I wonder where that Russian girl “Irina” that Epstein is said to have procured for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor came from?
“…“The Dossier Center has documents indicating that 🇷🇺 Belyakov had been in contact with Epstein since at least 2014.“
Any earlier?
“…“The Dossier Center has documents indicating that 🇷🇺 Belyakov had been in contact with Epstein since at least 2014.“
Any earlier?
“The Dossier Center has uncovered Jeffrey Epstein’s close contacts with 🇷🇺 Sergei Belyakov, then Deputy Minister of Economic Development and later head of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum Foundation.
Belyakov is a graduate of the FSB Academy which prepares Russian intelligence officers.“
Belyakov is a graduate of the FSB Academy which prepares Russian intelligence officers.“
Jeffrey Epstein’s Russian Connection:
Billionaire's ties with FSB Academy graduate revealed
dossier.center
February 1, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Mmm. I wonder where that Russian girl “Irina” that Epstein is said to have procured for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor came from?
“…“The Dossier Center has documents indicating that 🇷🇺 Belyakov had been in contact with Epstein since at least 2014.“
Any earlier?
“…“The Dossier Center has documents indicating that 🇷🇺 Belyakov had been in contact with Epstein since at least 2014.“
Any earlier?