l'Esprit de l'Escalier
@espritescalier.bsky.social
Former I.T. analyst. Language teacher. Proud European. From the north west of one country, now resident of the south east of another.
The works of Charles Dickens still resonate today, don't they?
November 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
The works of Charles Dickens still resonate today, don't they?
On the 'importing your culture' stuff, that was fine when it was Europeans migrating to the Americas 100-200 years ago? Oh, but those were 'civilised' people, because their skin was white. Got it.
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 AM
On the 'importing your culture' stuff, that was fine when it was Europeans migrating to the Americas 100-200 years ago? Oh, but those were 'civilised' people, because their skin was white. Got it.
"They are not like us!" has been the rallying cry of every dictator or would-be dictator throughout history. If you can make a person believe their enemy is a lesser being, it makes it much easier to get them to brutalise or kill them.
November 28, 2025 at 8:31 AM
"They are not like us!" has been the rallying cry of every dictator or would-be dictator throughout history. If you can make a person believe their enemy is a lesser being, it makes it much easier to get them to brutalise or kill them.
Me too. Lived there once.
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Me too. Lived there once.
If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. But if you're going to Southend-on-Sea, be sure to wear an oak leaf in your hair.
November 27, 2025 at 9:11 PM
If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. But if you're going to Southend-on-Sea, be sure to wear an oak leaf in your hair.
It has a certain Cold War nuclear missile silo vibe to it.
November 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
It has a certain Cold War nuclear missile silo vibe to it.
They got the brief.
November 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
They got the brief.
🧵They sell up and pay the tax (less than for non-farm property) and move on with their lives. Someone else buys the land. The risk is the new owners might not farm it, but that risk is there regardless of the tax situation. Methinks the man doth protest too much.
November 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🧵They sell up and pay the tax (less than for non-farm property) and move on with their lives. Someone else buys the land. The risk is the new owners might not farm it, but that risk is there regardless of the tax situation. Methinks the man doth protest too much.
Things that can move the markets shouldn't really be leaked though, should they? Is the problem the leak, or is it rather that the traditional way of doing things is now obsolete and the conventions around the Budget speech are stuck in the past and need revising? Genuine question.
November 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Things that can move the markets shouldn't really be leaked though, should they? Is the problem the leak, or is it rather that the traditional way of doing things is now obsolete and the conventions around the Budget speech are stuck in the past and need revising? Genuine question.
I suppose there will always be gambling, and problem gamblers, but since the advent of online casinos and bingo the 'industry' has sucked in many many more, many of whom are those who can least afford it, because it promises hope and glamour in a world which is often stimulus-deprived.
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I suppose there will always be gambling, and problem gamblers, but since the advent of online casinos and bingo the 'industry' has sucked in many many more, many of whom are those who can least afford it, because it promises hope and glamour in a world which is often stimulus-deprived.
I think it should be renamed Oh Bugger, Run!
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I think it should be renamed Oh Bugger, Run!
Which one, though - terrorist or criminally insane?
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Which one, though - terrorist or criminally insane?
They'll have had their tea.
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
They'll have had their tea.
And the "so"s.
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
And the "so"s.
Unfortunately, the Today programme has morphed into a radio version of The One Show. They're more interested in pufflings and shags (obligatory titter) than in Ukraine.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Unfortunately, the Today programme has morphed into a radio version of The One Show. They're more interested in pufflings and shags (obligatory titter) than in Ukraine.
Arrested, but assuming they have the right person, they'll probably get a £500 fine and 200 hours' community service. The professional criminals doing this know that, whatever the fines etc. they will make them up in 2 or 3 days of illegal dumping at a new site.
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Arrested, but assuming they have the right person, they'll probably get a £500 fine and 200 hours' community service. The professional criminals doing this know that, whatever the fines etc. they will make them up in 2 or 3 days of illegal dumping at a new site.
It's a low bar.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It's a low bar.
Great cards! It's a pity that the postage to France and risk of Brexit tax on receipt make them unaffordable for me, especially with postage costs elsewhere afterwards, but best wishes for the festive season, however and whatever you celebrate.
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Great cards! It's a pity that the postage to France and risk of Brexit tax on receipt make them unaffordable for me, especially with postage costs elsewhere afterwards, but best wishes for the festive season, however and whatever you celebrate.
Capitalist model. Seek investor capital. Buy up all the small fish & absorb their business into yours. Take on millions in corp debt. Sell off as much of the real estate as poss. at a profit. Use AI & robotics to reduce the workforce. Huge dividends & pay 4 snr management. Liquidate the company.
November 24, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Capitalist model. Seek investor capital. Buy up all the small fish & absorb their business into yours. Take on millions in corp debt. Sell off as much of the real estate as poss. at a profit. Use AI & robotics to reduce the workforce. Huge dividends & pay 4 snr management. Liquidate the company.
Maybe he thinks he's shifted the Overton Window far enough by now that it doesn't matter any more? Being openly racist is fashionable again, like it was in the late 70s when he used to march with the BNP. I'm old enough to remember those days, and it was ugly.
November 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Maybe he thinks he's shifted the Overton Window far enough by now that it doesn't matter any more? Being openly racist is fashionable again, like it was in the late 70s when he used to march with the BNP. I'm old enough to remember those days, and it was ugly.