Philip Austin
@philos62.bsky.social
Not as young as I was yesterday - Quakers, music, Bolton, politics and serendipity
Reposted by Philip Austin
The real 'two tier' divide in British politics is between the wife of a Conservative councillor calling for refugees to be burnt alive, being treated as a brave 'political prisoner', and the protestors calling for the end of mass starvation and genocide, being treated as domestic terrorists
'Anywhere But Here': How Britain's Anti-Migrant Media Consensus Is Crowding Out the Truth
Britain's longstanding traditions of tolerance and compassion are being suppressed in favour of a media-driven campaign of anti-migrant hate
www.adambienkov.co.uk
August 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The real 'two tier' divide in British politics is between the wife of a Conservative councillor calling for refugees to be burnt alive, being treated as a brave 'political prisoner', and the protestors calling for the end of mass starvation and genocide, being treated as domestic terrorists
Reposted by Philip Austin
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion
On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.
www.quaker.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Philip Austin
Every morally grounded person in the world is screaming out for the genocide to stop
Starmer is speaking to the only man who can make that happen
Starmer is speaking to the only man who can make that happen
'Starmer should use his moment, and whatever trust and goodwill he has built up with Trump, to press him on Gaza.'
What is the point of sucking up to the tyrant unless he uses the moment to save the starving children of Gaza?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What is the point of sucking up to the tyrant unless he uses the moment to save the starving children of Gaza?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To end the starvation in Gaza, Trump must lean on Netanyahu – so Starmer must lean on Trump | Jonathan Freedland
Britain’s PM will see his US counterpart on Monday. He should urge Trump to force an end to the Palestinians’ agony, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
July 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Every morally grounded person in the world is screaming out for the genocide to stop
Starmer is speaking to the only man who can make that happen
Starmer is speaking to the only man who can make that happen
Reposted by Philip Austin
Ben Jennings on starvation in Gaza – cartoon
Ben Jennings on starvation in Gaza – cartoon
Hamas sends a ceasefire proposal to the Israeli government as famine threatens Palestinians’ lives
www.theguardian.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Ben Jennings on starvation in Gaza – cartoon
Reposted by Philip Austin
Historic NFPB Poster (now available again as A2 poster and as a postcard - nfpb.org.uk/shop/ )
June 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Historic NFPB Poster (now available again as A2 poster and as a postcard - nfpb.org.uk/shop/ )
Reposted by Philip Austin
We need to heed the promptings of love and truth in our hearts and speak up now. We believe that genocide is underway in Gaza.
We use this word with the aim of opening eyes, minds and hearts. We use it in the deep hope that the actions it describes will stop.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
We use this word with the aim of opening eyes, minds and hearts. We use it in the deep hope that the actions it describes will stop.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers first British church to state belief that genocide underway in Gaza
At their annual gathering this weekend, Quakers in Britain became the first British church to state their belief that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 7:28 AM
We need to heed the promptings of love and truth in our hearts and speak up now. We believe that genocide is underway in Gaza.
We use this word with the aim of opening eyes, minds and hearts. We use it in the deep hope that the actions it describes will stop.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
We use this word with the aim of opening eyes, minds and hearts. We use it in the deep hope that the actions it describes will stop.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Philip Austin
We have evidence of mass forced hunger.
We have evidence of mass forced displacement.
We have evidence of mass killings.
We have evidence of mass atrocities.
Stop all UK support for Israel's violence in Gaza.
Stop all UK arms exports to Israel immediately.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
We have evidence of mass forced displacement.
We have evidence of mass killings.
We have evidence of mass atrocities.
Stop all UK support for Israel's violence in Gaza.
Stop all UK arms exports to Israel immediately.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers ask the UK government on Gaza: What more evidence do you need now?
What more evidence do you need now? These are the words of Tom Fletcher, the UN’s head of humanitarian affairs, as he briefed the UN Security Council earlier this week on the fast deteriorating situat...
www.quaker.org.uk
May 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM
We have evidence of mass forced hunger.
We have evidence of mass forced displacement.
We have evidence of mass killings.
We have evidence of mass atrocities.
Stop all UK support for Israel's violence in Gaza.
Stop all UK arms exports to Israel immediately.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
We have evidence of mass forced displacement.
We have evidence of mass killings.
We have evidence of mass atrocities.
Stop all UK support for Israel's violence in Gaza.
Stop all UK arms exports to Israel immediately.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Philip Austin
May 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Philip Austin
Would you like to become the new Peace Lead at Quakers in Britain, ensuring we continue to be a clear, confident and effective voice for peace? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
quaker.org.uk/our-organisa...
Work from our London/Leeds office or mostly from home.
Applications deadline: 2 June.
quaker.org.uk/our-organisa...
Work from our London/Leeds office or mostly from home.
Applications deadline: 2 June.
Quakers in Britain: Job opportunities
Find a range of jobs with Quakers in Britain. With a 1:4 ratio between our highest and our lowest paid staff, we are a Living Wage employer.
quaker.org.uk
May 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Would you like to become the new Peace Lead at Quakers in Britain, ensuring we continue to be a clear, confident and effective voice for peace? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
quaker.org.uk/our-organisa...
Work from our London/Leeds office or mostly from home.
Applications deadline: 2 June.
quaker.org.uk/our-organisa...
Work from our London/Leeds office or mostly from home.
Applications deadline: 2 June.
Reposted by Philip Austin
‘Pacific, temperate, egalitarian, avowedly non-violent, the epitome of unimpeachable, quietist radicalism: if the police can do this to the Quakers, what could they do to you?’
James Butler (@piercepenniless.bsky.social) on last week’s raid on a Quaker meeting house:
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
James Butler (@piercepenniless.bsky.social) on last week’s raid on a Quaker meeting house:
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
James Butler | As the Met bruised in
Last Thursday evening, more than twenty Metropolitan police officers – some armed with tasers – broke down the doors...
www.lrb.co.uk
April 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
‘Pacific, temperate, egalitarian, avowedly non-violent, the epitome of unimpeachable, quietist radicalism: if the police can do this to the Quakers, what could they do to you?’
James Butler (@piercepenniless.bsky.social) on last week’s raid on a Quaker meeting house:
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
James Butler (@piercepenniless.bsky.social) on last week’s raid on a Quaker meeting house:
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...
Reposted by Philip Austin
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
March 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Philip Austin
A US president abusing state power to pressure a sovereign democracy to lift travel restrictions on two people facing rape and human tracking charges - simply because they're political supporters.
The White House is fast becoming the global epicentre of moral corruption.
www.ft.com/content/3f95...
The White House is fast becoming the global epicentre of moral corruption.
www.ft.com/content/3f95...
Trump administration pressures Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate
Tristan and Andrew Tate have been charged with sexual misconduct, organised crime and money laundering
www.ft.com
February 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
A US president abusing state power to pressure a sovereign democracy to lift travel restrictions on two people facing rape and human tracking charges - simply because they're political supporters.
The White House is fast becoming the global epicentre of moral corruption.
www.ft.com/content/3f95...
The White House is fast becoming the global epicentre of moral corruption.
www.ft.com/content/3f95...
Reposted by Philip Austin
Word of the Day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet individual whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
February 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Word of the Day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet individual whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by Philip Austin
I can't express how much contempt I have, as a Jewish academic, for a politician who would visit a concentration camp yesterday for a photo-op, then the next day travel to Munich to tell the Germans that they need to end their longtime firewall against the far-right. But that is what JD Vance did.
"The organizers of this very conference have banned lawmakers representing populist parties on both the left and the right from participating in these conversations," says US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Group, apparently referencing the German far-right AfD party.
February 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I can't express how much contempt I have, as a Jewish academic, for a politician who would visit a concentration camp yesterday for a photo-op, then the next day travel to Munich to tell the Germans that they need to end their longtime firewall against the far-right. But that is what JD Vance did.
Reposted by Philip Austin
“Today, DEI has become the new N-word; the new rightwing abstraction deployed by Republicans to conceal their anti-Black racism.”
My latest for the Guardian, in which I cite Lee Atwater, and bring lots of receipts.
Sorry, but it has to be said:
My latest for the Guardian, in which I cite Lee Atwater, and bring lots of receipts.
Sorry, but it has to be said:
What Republicans really mean when they blame 'DEI' | Mehdi Hasan
Referencing DEI is the new rightwing abstraction deployed by Republicans to conceal their anti-Black racism
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM
“Today, DEI has become the new N-word; the new rightwing abstraction deployed by Republicans to conceal their anti-Black racism.”
My latest for the Guardian, in which I cite Lee Atwater, and bring lots of receipts.
Sorry, but it has to be said:
My latest for the Guardian, in which I cite Lee Atwater, and bring lots of receipts.
Sorry, but it has to be said:
having watched the Channel 4 doc on Musk last night, can't help feeling deeply depressed but also concerned that it only scratched the surface in terms of the power that one man now has to shape /destroy so many things. Solidarity with those at the sharp end - which is a lot of people.
February 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
having watched the Channel 4 doc on Musk last night, can't help feeling deeply depressed but also concerned that it only scratched the surface in terms of the power that one man now has to shape /destroy so many things. Solidarity with those at the sharp end - which is a lot of people.
Did you notice in Trump and others' comments on Gaza that they referred to buildings being wrecked destroyed, with no hint of who was responsible for providing and using the tools for that very destruction? Buildings don't destroy themselves.
February 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Did you notice in Trump and others' comments on Gaza that they referred to buildings being wrecked destroyed, with no hint of who was responsible for providing and using the tools for that very destruction? Buildings don't destroy themselves.
Reposted by Philip Austin
1. We cannot now rule out the possibility of systemic collapse in the United States. If Trump and Musk paralyse the federal government, this could trigger social, financial and industrial failures. Neither Trump nor his team know how to respond to such failures, which could snowball and converge. 🧵
February 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
1. We cannot now rule out the possibility of systemic collapse in the United States. If Trump and Musk paralyse the federal government, this could trigger social, financial and industrial failures. Neither Trump nor his team know how to respond to such failures, which could snowball and converge. 🧵
I'm not posting a lot - there's so much - about this, but in case you need a quick catch-up (which is already out-of-date) on the crisis in the US - www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How the world’s richest man laid waste the US government
Elon Musk has achieved astonishing power in Trump’s administration – and spent the weekend wielding it
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I'm not posting a lot - there's so much - about this, but in case you need a quick catch-up (which is already out-of-date) on the crisis in the US - www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Philip Austin
Reposted by Philip Austin
Word of the Day is ‘bayard’ (16th century): one who has the supreme self-confidence of ignorance.
February 5, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Word of the Day is ‘bayard’ (16th century): one who has the supreme self-confidence of ignorance.
wondering whether and when the UK government might take a different approach in its relationship to the current US presidency. At the moment, I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quote: "These are my principles. If you don't like them .... well, I have others"
February 5, 2025 at 11:18 AM
wondering whether and when the UK government might take a different approach in its relationship to the current US presidency. At the moment, I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quote: "These are my principles. If you don't like them .... well, I have others"
