Simon Taylor
@simontaylor71.bsky.social
Music lover, increasingly radical dad, EU affairs bore, very much in love.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
if you’ve never seen Interview with the Vampire, it ends with the vampire being told he’s made it through to a second interview
October 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
if you’ve never seen Interview with the Vampire, it ends with the vampire being told he’s made it through to a second interview
Reposted by Simon Taylor
the point of the ballroom obvs has nothing to do with aesthetics. it's to create an architectural structure to honor the patronage networks that currently dominate US politics. previous WH venues hosted maybe a couple of hundred people; this hosts nearly 1,000 rich donors.
October 25, 2025 at 12:19 AM
the point of the ballroom obvs has nothing to do with aesthetics. it's to create an architectural structure to honor the patronage networks that currently dominate US politics. previous WH venues hosted maybe a couple of hundred people; this hosts nearly 1,000 rich donors.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
Dutch intelligence suspends sharing arrangements with the US after concluding that high level intel was routinely being shared by the White House with their friends in the Kremlin. www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/n...
Nederlandse diensten delen minder informatie met de VS: ‘Soms vertellen we dingen niet meer’
Het aantal dreigingen dat op Nederland afkomt is groot, zien de hoofden van de AIVD en de MIVD elke dag: niet alleen Russische agressie, maar ook de opmars van China als digitale macht en binnenlands ...
www.volkskrant.nl
October 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Dutch intelligence suspends sharing arrangements with the US after concluding that high level intel was routinely being shared by the White House with their friends in the Kremlin. www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/n...
Delighted to announce that I will be interviewing the mighty @johnrobb at AB on Sunday, 7 December talking about his new book on Oasis. John is a great speaker and the evening will be full of anecdotes about the brothers.
www.abconcerts.be/nl/agenda/bo...
www.abconcerts.be/nl/agenda/bo...
Book presentation: Live Forever: The Rise, Fall And Resurrection Of Oasis - zo 7 dec 25
Naar aanleiding van John Robb’s boek Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis gaat de Britse, in Brussel gevestigde cultuurjournalist Simon Taylor met hem in gesprek. Samen duiken ze in ...
www.abconcerts.be
October 16, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Delighted to announce that I will be interviewing the mighty @johnrobb at AB on Sunday, 7 December talking about his new book on Oasis. John is a great speaker and the evening will be full of anecdotes about the brothers.
www.abconcerts.be/nl/agenda/bo...
www.abconcerts.be/nl/agenda/bo...
Reposted by Simon Taylor
October 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Simon Taylor
New post just out:
The relationship between Russia and the European radical right goes well beyond Reform's Nathan Gill being bribed.
In this post I trace the history back to the 1990s and look at the threat it poses now.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/r...
The relationship between Russia and the European radical right goes well beyond Reform's Nathan Gill being bribed.
In this post I trace the history back to the 1990s and look at the threat it poses now.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/r...
Russia and the rise of the radical right
Marine Le Pen meets with Putin before the 2017 French Presidential election (Photo credit Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP via Getty Images)
open.substack.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
New post just out:
The relationship between Russia and the European radical right goes well beyond Reform's Nathan Gill being bribed.
In this post I trace the history back to the 1990s and look at the threat it poses now.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/r...
The relationship between Russia and the European radical right goes well beyond Reform's Nathan Gill being bribed.
In this post I trace the history back to the 1990s and look at the threat it poses now.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/r...
Reposted by Simon Taylor
I didn't know until we buried my mother, so probably most people here don't know: Jewish cemeteries strongly recommend that you get insurance for the headstone.
Because the cemeteries are so often desecrated, the gravestones smashed.
Because the cemeteries are so often desecrated, the gravestones smashed.
October 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I didn't know until we buried my mother, so probably most people here don't know: Jewish cemeteries strongly recommend that you get insurance for the headstone.
Because the cemeteries are so often desecrated, the gravestones smashed.
Because the cemeteries are so often desecrated, the gravestones smashed.
Wow, just wow. At one stage reading this, I thought I’d been whacked by a flying carp.
New article! On criminal complicity -- and some other things: sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/the-united...
The United States of Flying Carp
The stupidest way to get injured.
sarahkendzior.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Wow, just wow. At one stage reading this, I thought I’d been whacked by a flying carp.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
I'm sorry, what?
Breaking news from Des Moines: ICE has detained Dr. Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa's largest school district.
The Des Moines Public Schools said "We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps."
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/09/26/i...
The Des Moines Public Schools said "We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps."
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/09/26/i...
ICE detains Des Moines Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts
Iowa's largest school district had "no confirmed information" on why ICE detained Dr. Ian Roberts, the superintendent since 2023.
www.bleedingheartland.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I'm sorry, what?
Reposted by Simon Taylor
"experts say"
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 AM
"experts say"
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
Reposted by Simon Taylor
The Brookings Institute found that Charlie Kirk was the 2nd largest misinformation spreader among podcasts they analysed.
"Mr. Kirk, a conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, ranked second, with 17 percent of his episodes containing an unsubstantiated or false claim."
Gifted:
"Mr. Kirk, a conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, ranked second, with 17 percent of his episodes containing an unsubstantiated or false claim."
Gifted:
Steve Bannon’s Podcast Is Top Misinformation Spreader, Study Says (Published 2023)
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Brookings Institute found that Charlie Kirk was the 2nd largest misinformation spreader among podcasts they analysed.
"Mr. Kirk, a conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, ranked second, with 17 percent of his episodes containing an unsubstantiated or false claim."
Gifted:
"Mr. Kirk, a conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, ranked second, with 17 percent of his episodes containing an unsubstantiated or false claim."
Gifted:
Reposted by Simon Taylor
The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, on Wednesday announced that his department will return to the treasury billions of dollars set aside for green projects, calling climate action a “green new scam” that makes people’s lives worse.
Trump's Energy Secretary aims to claw back billions slated for clean energy projects
Former fracking CEO Chris Wright calls climate action a "green new scam" that makes people's lives worse.
www.motherjones.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, on Wednesday announced that his department will return to the treasury billions of dollars set aside for green projects, calling climate action a “green new scam” that makes people’s lives worse.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
RIP to the great Danny Thompson. Here he is on 2024's "So Quietly" by Paul Weller, his final recording session. Weller "Danny said it was his “last plonk”, which was a very sad thing in a way but what a life man. We felt very honoured to be part of that final recording performance."
September 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
RIP to the great Danny Thompson. Here he is on 2024's "So Quietly" by Paul Weller, his final recording session. Weller "Danny said it was his “last plonk”, which was a very sad thing in a way but what a life man. We felt very honoured to be part of that final recording performance."
Reposted by Simon Taylor
Returning Jesus Christ Downed By U.S. Missile Defense 30,000 Feet Before Making Landfall
September 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Returning Jesus Christ Downed By U.S. Missile Defense 30,000 Feet Before Making Landfall
Reposted by Simon Taylor
Having pondered it all morning, I'm still incredulous that all that Today programme coverage of migrant hotels at no point (unless I missed it) mentioned why people were here, what they might be fleeing from etc.
September 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Having pondered it all morning, I'm still incredulous that all that Today programme coverage of migrant hotels at no point (unless I missed it) mentioned why people were here, what they might be fleeing from etc.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
Lib Dems conf, leader offers alternative to Reform/Farage & says BBC simply cut & paste Reform press releases & fail to scrutinise.
So the BBC sends Chris Mason, recently pilloried for his breathless coverage of Reform's conf, to interview Davey for 3min segment.
Followed by 6min piece on Reform.
So the BBC sends Chris Mason, recently pilloried for his breathless coverage of Reform's conf, to interview Davey for 3min segment.
Followed by 6min piece on Reform.
September 22, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Lib Dems conf, leader offers alternative to Reform/Farage & says BBC simply cut & paste Reform press releases & fail to scrutinise.
So the BBC sends Chris Mason, recently pilloried for his breathless coverage of Reform's conf, to interview Davey for 3min segment.
Followed by 6min piece on Reform.
So the BBC sends Chris Mason, recently pilloried for his breathless coverage of Reform's conf, to interview Davey for 3min segment.
Followed by 6min piece on Reform.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
This speech is such an extraordinary combination of lies, delusions, narcissism, hatefulness, ignorance and lunacy that it could have been given by no other person than the president of the United States. It could well be the low point of US public diplomacy in our history.
September 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This speech is such an extraordinary combination of lies, delusions, narcissism, hatefulness, ignorance and lunacy that it could have been given by no other person than the president of the United States. It could well be the low point of US public diplomacy in our history.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
What on Earth is this? An "in depth" BBC article about free speech in the UK that only cites examples of right-wing/ 'anti-woke' speech being suppressed. How can you mention Lucy Connolly but completely ignore Palestine Action / Just Stop Oil? Gob-smacking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How the simmering UK freedom of speech row reached boiling point
How did we reach a point where the UK is being compared to a 'tin pot Third World dictatorship'?
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
What on Earth is this? An "in depth" BBC article about free speech in the UK that only cites examples of right-wing/ 'anti-woke' speech being suppressed. How can you mention Lucy Connolly but completely ignore Palestine Action / Just Stop Oil? Gob-smacking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Taylor
Why are the American president's claims about autism the first item on British news bulletins?
He's not our president, the advice doesn't apply here and he's not presented any evidence to support his assertions.
So why spread these claims? What make this the biggest story in the UK?
He's not our president, the advice doesn't apply here and he's not presented any evidence to support his assertions.
So why spread these claims? What make this the biggest story in the UK?
September 23, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Why are the American president's claims about autism the first item on British news bulletins?
He's not our president, the advice doesn't apply here and he's not presented any evidence to support his assertions.
So why spread these claims? What make this the biggest story in the UK?
He's not our president, the advice doesn't apply here and he's not presented any evidence to support his assertions.
So why spread these claims? What make this the biggest story in the UK?
Does anyone know why Congolese singing legend M'Bilia Bel postposned her show at La Madeleine in Brussels last night? Illness, poor ticket sales? Did the venue communicate about it?
September 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Does anyone know why Congolese singing legend M'Bilia Bel postposned her show at La Madeleine in Brussels last night? Illness, poor ticket sales? Did the venue communicate about it?
Reposted by Simon Taylor
America plunges headlong into Onion territory
Oklahoma lawmakers introduce legislation requiring every public university in the state to construct “a Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza”, with a statue and a sign calling him a “modern civil rights leader"
Or get fined
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Oklahoma lawmakers introduce legislation requiring every public university in the state to construct “a Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza”, with a statue and a sign calling him a “modern civil rights leader"
Or get fined
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Oklahoma Republicans propose all state colleges must have Charlie Kirk statue
Schools would be required to build memorial plaza and describe slain activist as civil rights leader or face fines
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:05 AM
America plunges headlong into Onion territory
Oklahoma lawmakers introduce legislation requiring every public university in the state to construct “a Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza”, with a statue and a sign calling him a “modern civil rights leader"
Or get fined
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Oklahoma lawmakers introduce legislation requiring every public university in the state to construct “a Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza”, with a statue and a sign calling him a “modern civil rights leader"
Or get fined
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Simon Taylor
It feels like there was a refusal here and it has been taken very personally.
September 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
It feels like there was a refusal here and it has been taken very personally.
Reposted by Simon Taylor
The media - no, we're not going to report on serious Lib Dem policies
The media - yes, we will report on fun stunts
The media, also - the Lib Dems need to show they've got serious policies
The media - yes, we will report on fun stunts
The media, also - the Lib Dems need to show they've got serious policies
September 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The media - no, we're not going to report on serious Lib Dem policies
The media - yes, we will report on fun stunts
The media, also - the Lib Dems need to show they've got serious policies
The media - yes, we will report on fun stunts
The media, also - the Lib Dems need to show they've got serious policies
Reposted by Simon Taylor
James Dyson lives in Dodington Park - a 35000 sqare foot mansion he paid 15 million for in 2003. He is not, in any sane reality, vacuuming his own home.
September 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
James Dyson lives in Dodington Park - a 35000 sqare foot mansion he paid 15 million for in 2003. He is not, in any sane reality, vacuuming his own home.