Andrew Shimmin
@adshimmin.bsky.social
Rejoicing in Titus 3:4-5. Woollyback; YNWA. Books, planes, trains, ships, old cars, primates (the animal kind), toucans and parrots. An idiot. En cas d'affluence, ne pas utiliser les strapontins
Don't make me post the drought map, David
February 6, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Don't make me post the drought map, David
Naturally, I refuse to check if this is true, for verisimiltude.
January 27, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Naturally, I refuse to check if this is true, for verisimiltude.
"The stupid person's idea of the clever person" (which I think, despite being claimed by lots of people recently as about Boris or whoever, is actually Elizabeth Bowen about Aldous Huxley?)
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
"The stupid person's idea of the clever person" (which I think, despite being claimed by lots of people recently as about Boris or whoever, is actually Elizabeth Bowen about Aldous Huxley?)
These people helf-remember things they read, and spout them to sound clever without bothering to check if they make sense (saying this on the takes-one-to-know-one principle).
January 27, 2026 at 5:29 PM
These people helf-remember things they read, and spout them to sound clever without bothering to check if they make sense (saying this on the takes-one-to-know-one principle).
Yes that's the one! It's a lovely spot and well worth a visit.
January 24, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Yes that's the one! It's a lovely spot and well worth a visit.
You did 🙂. I thought I was going mad when you repeated it, and was feverishly checking all the match schedules...
January 22, 2026 at 10:31 PM
You did 🙂. I thought I was going mad when you repeated it, and was feverishly checking all the match schedules...
I am 15 mins is, but does @maxrushden.bsky.social keep saying Liverpool were going to face Arsenal next?!?!?
January 22, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I am 15 mins is, but does @maxrushden.bsky.social keep saying Liverpool were going to face Arsenal next?!?!?
Imagine. We might have been spared an appalling PM and one of the worst periods of bad governance we've ever experienced!
January 22, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Imagine. We might have been spared an appalling PM and one of the worst periods of bad governance we've ever experienced!
I meant only that in the order of succession, if the Dems take control of one of the houses of Congress, there might be one sane person.
January 20, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I meant only that in the order of succession, if the Dems take control of one of the houses of Congress, there might be one sane person.
Not before this time next year, and only if we're very lucky in the midterms.
January 20, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Not before this time next year, and only if we're very lucky in the midterms.
None of those things are going to happen. All the rest of them despise Vance. They'd need to take him out too (as complicit?).
Then we'd get Johnson. And then Grassley, Rubio, Bessent, Hesgeth, Bondi.
How lucky are we feeling?
Then we'd get Johnson. And then Grassley, Rubio, Bessent, Hesgeth, Bondi.
How lucky are we feeling?
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
None of those things are going to happen. All the rest of them despise Vance. They'd need to take him out too (as complicit?).
Then we'd get Johnson. And then Grassley, Rubio, Bessent, Hesgeth, Bondi.
How lucky are we feeling?
Then we'd get Johnson. And then Grassley, Rubio, Bessent, Hesgeth, Bondi.
How lucky are we feeling?
I've always thought he absolutely deserves a bank holiday, but sadly no one wants one in late January....
January 19, 2026 at 8:44 AM
I've always thought he absolutely deserves a bank holiday, but sadly no one wants one in late January....
The Republicans can't say it because to break ranks on this would attract the wrath of the Trumposphere (and they're all cowards anyway or we wouldn't be here).
Dems won't say it because they don't want Vance either.
Dems won't say it because they don't want Vance either.
January 19, 2026 at 7:46 AM
The Republicans can't say it because to break ranks on this would attract the wrath of the Trumposphere (and they're all cowards anyway or we wouldn't be here).
Dems won't say it because they don't want Vance either.
Dems won't say it because they don't want Vance either.
Still not over him leaving LFC, then?
January 18, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Still not over him leaving LFC, then?
What have you got against Hakimi?!?!
January 18, 2026 at 10:04 PM
What have you got against Hakimi?!?!
Scrutiny, absolutely yes. Criticism where due, absolutely yes.
But let's not be naive about how social media works and affects our politics.
The net result of all the criticism and no praise is voters think they're worse than the opposition (even if that's not what you actually say).
But let's not be naive about how social media works and affects our politics.
The net result of all the criticism and no praise is voters think they're worse than the opposition (even if that's not what you actually say).
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Scrutiny, absolutely yes. Criticism where due, absolutely yes.
But let's not be naive about how social media works and affects our politics.
The net result of all the criticism and no praise is voters think they're worse than the opposition (even if that's not what you actually say).
But let's not be naive about how social media works and affects our politics.
The net result of all the criticism and no praise is voters think they're worse than the opposition (even if that's not what you actually say).
It's not just Reform that are the risk. People switching to Green, Lib Dem, nationalist parties, whoever, are (in a FPTP system) potentially unintentionally helping Reform.
January 16, 2026 at 1:57 PM
It's not just Reform that are the risk. People switching to Green, Lib Dem, nationalist parties, whoever, are (in a FPTP system) potentially unintentionally helping Reform.
No, probably those voters won't. But it's the overall tone. There are thousands of people attacking the government, from left, right, centre. That's a lot of attrition! And no one is defending them. If voters hear only bad they'll think "twist then".
January 16, 2026 at 1:56 PM
No, probably those voters won't. But it's the overall tone. There are thousands of people attacking the government, from left, right, centre. That's a lot of attrition! And no one is defending them. If voters hear only bad they'll think "twist then".
But we need to be realistic - the internet is real, and powerfully affecting the political mood. Nuance doesn't cut through. Saying "they're rubbish" all the time signals to voters to twist, which if you think the alternatives are worse, is pretty reckless.
January 16, 2026 at 1:52 PM
But we need to be realistic - the internet is real, and powerfully affecting the political mood. Nuance doesn't cut through. Saying "they're rubbish" all the time signals to voters to twist, which if you think the alternatives are worse, is pretty reckless.
Whereas, as you said yourself, they'd all be worse...
It might be frustrating that the nuance of the position isn't getting through to voters, but it isn't.
It might be frustrating that the nuance of the position isn't getting through to voters, but it isn't.
January 16, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Whereas, as you said yourself, they'd all be worse...
It might be frustrating that the nuance of the position isn't getting through to voters, but it isn't.
It might be frustrating that the nuance of the position isn't getting through to voters, but it isn't.
And if we'd be well rid, then it's logical for voters to assume that that means any of the alternatives would be better.
January 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
And if we'd be well rid, then it's logical for voters to assume that that means any of the alternatives would be better.