Cy Benson
@cben.bsky.social
Lawyer involved in international disputes. Avid follower of political journalism/ethics, security, human rights—dogs and cycling on the side.
Code: ‘emotivism’=empathy; ‘reason’=bullying bullshit
January 15, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Code: ‘emotivism’=empathy; ‘reason’=bullying bullshit
May be missing something here but building a machine that could win elections—and one that could lead to fascism—are not mutually exclusive. Scratching the fascist itch seems to have always been part of the machine ‘equation’.
January 14, 2026 at 12:32 PM
May be missing something here but building a machine that could win elections—and one that could lead to fascism—are not mutually exclusive. Scratching the fascist itch seems to have always been part of the machine ‘equation’.
To answer the question posed and save you all a lot of trouble: No; it’s just plain terrible.
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
To answer the question posed and save you all a lot of trouble: No; it’s just plain terrible.
Brilliant! Captures where I’ve been coming out in a clearly articulated way that I have been unable to quite explain to myself.
October 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Brilliant! Captures where I’ve been coming out in a clearly articulated way that I have been unable to quite explain to myself.
I am as distressed and confused by the vote as anyone but, in addition to not being a Democrat, King is an erudite statesman. In a chamber not lacking in dumb, I do not think he stands out in that category.
July 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I am as distressed and confused by the vote as anyone but, in addition to not being a Democrat, King is an erudite statesman. In a chamber not lacking in dumb, I do not think he stands out in that category.
I don’t disagree with your last point in principle; same in the US. Otherwise more of the same until we all perish.
July 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I don’t disagree with your last point in principle; same in the US. Otherwise more of the same until we all perish.
No objection to that at all. But Corbyn in a lead role is a non-starter for me. New generation of leaders—all in.
July 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
No objection to that at all. But Corbyn in a lead role is a non-starter for me. New generation of leaders—all in.
Opposition meant to oppose. Naive to consider that Brexit wasn’t the result Corbyn wanted and made possible.
July 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Opposition meant to oppose. Naive to consider that Brexit wasn’t the result Corbyn wanted and made possible.
Opposition meant to oppose … Disingenuous to suggest Brexit wasn’t desired by Corbyn and actively made possible by his dereliction of duty.
July 4, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Opposition meant to oppose … Disingenuous to suggest Brexit wasn’t desired by Corbyn and actively made possible by his dereliction of duty.
I don’t. Just saying Corbyn not the answer. Think Starmer has been a total failure to date.
July 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I don’t. Just saying Corbyn not the answer. Think Starmer has been a total failure to date.
Beyond naive to say Brexit isn’t a principal cause of the country’s insolvency and the leader of the opposition is supposed to actually oppose … But believe what you will.
July 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Beyond naive to say Brexit isn’t a principal cause of the country’s insolvency and the leader of the opposition is supposed to actually oppose … But believe what you will.
May be ‘centrist’ of me to say that services do need to be paid for and, as I recall, Corbyn is one of those principally responsible for Brexit—ie, the cause of the current inability to pay for needed services. Just saying …
July 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
May be ‘centrist’ of me to say that services do need to be paid for and, as I recall, Corbyn is one of those principally responsible for Brexit—ie, the cause of the current inability to pay for needed services. Just saying …
Interested in your views on whether universities prioritise research/publishing to the detriment of teaching?
May 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Interested in your views on whether universities prioritise research/publishing to the detriment of teaching?
Likely realised he was violating the terms of the Stephanopoulos settlement. We should give up on any expectation that the ‘MSM’ will do their jobs properly.
April 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Likely realised he was violating the terms of the Stephanopoulos settlement. We should give up on any expectation that the ‘MSM’ will do their jobs properly.
The AI tells me we do …
April 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The AI tells me we do …
In addition to the plain wrongheadedness, voters absolutely understand the concepts of oligarchy and kings—and they do not want either, full stop.
April 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
In addition to the plain wrongheadedness, voters absolutely understand the concepts of oligarchy and kings—and they do not want either, full stop.
‘Sensible centrists’ ain’t the solution …
April 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
‘Sensible centrists’ ain’t the solution …
Very effective summary. Not original but there is no new ‘settlement’ that can (or should ever) accommodate the obscenity that is MAGA. Until those in the remaining 70% who still call themselves Republicans can walk away and join reality we will endlessly be putting out brush fires—if we’re lucky.
April 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Very effective summary. Not original but there is no new ‘settlement’ that can (or should ever) accommodate the obscenity that is MAGA. Until those in the remaining 70% who still call themselves Republicans can walk away and join reality we will endlessly be putting out brush fires—if we’re lucky.
Don’t forget the chance to do falconry with one’s mates …
April 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Don’t forget the chance to do falconry with one’s mates …
To accuse anyone of lacking a conscience, soul and heart one must first have them. The double standards and apparent compartmentalisation is pathological.
April 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
To accuse anyone of lacking a conscience, soul and heart one must first have them. The double standards and apparent compartmentalisation is pathological.
Strong disagree, particularly if reengaged with Europe, but will leave it there.
April 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Strong disagree, particularly if reengaged with Europe, but will leave it there.
Before considering ‘options’ that may have us all subsidise production, the logical starting point would be an economic analysis of whether this plant can be operated at a profit—or even at break even—including a scenario that assumes rejoining the common market. Just saying…
April 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Before considering ‘options’ that may have us all subsidise production, the logical starting point would be an economic analysis of whether this plant can be operated at a profit—or even at break even—including a scenario that assumes rejoining the common market. Just saying…
The Court identifies Texas as the place of confinement for habeus purposes—using the present tense. It is not. Can Boasberg take the view that there must be a US proxy for El Salvador and maintain jurisdiction—and demand a list of all those sent there? Not my area but would appreciate thoughts.
April 8, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The Court identifies Texas as the place of confinement for habeus purposes—using the present tense. It is not. Can Boasberg take the view that there must be a US proxy for El Salvador and maintain jurisdiction—and demand a list of all those sent there? Not my area but would appreciate thoughts.
Guessing Rubio does not feel that principle applies in the US itself. Certainly his boss doesn’t …
April 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Guessing Rubio does not feel that principle applies in the US itself. Certainly his boss doesn’t …