Patrick A
@sparkypatrick.bsky.social
Professional IT geek and music lover. Occasional footballer of no particular talent (until GPA got me). Blue is the colour.
Free schools are just another gravy train. An opportunity to suckle at the public teat and then move on once they've extracted all the cash.
Gove's ideological stance destroyed education in Britain.
Tory govts spent £325m on free schools that failed or disappeared. More than £10bn was committed to building new schools between 2014-15 and 2023-24, compared with £6.8bn for rebuilding existing schools
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Tory govts spent £325m on free schools that failed or disappeared. More than £10bn was committed to building new schools between 2014-15 and 2023-24, compared with £6.8bn for rebuilding existing schools
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Tory governments spent £325m on free schools that failed or disappeared
More than £10bn was committed to building new schools between 2014-15 and 2023-24, compared with £6.8bn for rebuilding existing schools
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Free schools are just another gravy train. An opportunity to suckle at the public teat and then move on once they've extracted all the cash.
Reposted by Patrick A
In some ways it’s amazing just how low a price they had to pay to get let off scot free
Admittedly, their dignity was part of the supplemental price. But still…..
Admittedly, their dignity was part of the supplemental price. But still…..
Days after FIFA awarded Trump a fake peace prize, DOJ moves to drop charges in FIFA corruption case www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/n...
U.S. Moves to Drop Charges in International Soccer Corruption Case
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:12 AM
In some ways it’s amazing just how low a price they had to pay to get let off scot free
Admittedly, their dignity was part of the supplemental price. But still…..
Admittedly, their dignity was part of the supplemental price. But still…..
Reposted by Patrick A
Day 1258 of #IansDailyPhotoChallenge and you might think this is just a candlesnuff fungus for today
BUT this is actually my appropriately timed and abstract piece simply titled 'Rudolph' 🎄🎅🤶🦌🔴👃🤣🤗 #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
#365DaysWild
BUT this is actually my appropriately timed and abstract piece simply titled 'Rudolph' 🎄🎅🤶🦌🔴👃🤣🤗 #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
#365DaysWild
December 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Day 1258 of #IansDailyPhotoChallenge and you might think this is just a candlesnuff fungus for today
BUT this is actually my appropriately timed and abstract piece simply titled 'Rudolph' 🎄🎅🤶🦌🔴👃🤣🤗 #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
#365DaysWild
BUT this is actually my appropriately timed and abstract piece simply titled 'Rudolph' 🎄🎅🤶🦌🔴👃🤣🤗 #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
#365DaysWild
When Badenoch declared that people should not wear face masks to limit the spread of flu, was she doing chin-ups at a railway station? Push-ups at a bus station?
December 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
When Badenoch declared that people should not wear face masks to limit the spread of flu, was she doing chin-ups at a railway station? Push-ups at a bus station?
Reposted by Patrick A
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
![Statement on Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Genocide Denial at the Israel Hayom Summit
December 9, 2025
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security feels called to point out that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s recent remarks at the Israel Hayom Summit on 2 December amount to outright genocide denial.
During her remarks, the Secretary correctly noted that the recent deterioration of Israel’s standing among U.S. voters is not a “Republican versus Democrat kind of divide” but rather a generational one. Nevertheless, she incorrectly diagnosed the reasons for the shift as a matter purely of optics, stating that “Israel [has] the worst PR of any group” and accusing social media, particularly TikTok, of presenting “pure propaganda” that American youth are uncritically ingesting.
Secretary Clinton’s framing is not at all an accurate reflection of why Americans are growing more critical of Israel. Young Americans of all political stripes have not fallen prey to propaganda, though that is always a legitimate concern. Rather, they have consumed two years of videos depicting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians that have been uploaded by Palestinian journalists, ordinary people trying to survive in Gaza, IDF soldiers, and ordinary Israelis themselves. There has been no convincing refutation of the sheer amount of raw evidence of genocide coming out of Palestine. Young people in the U.S. are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well.
Secretary Clinton appears not to be bothered by the reality of genocidal violence – in fact, she did not mention anything about it. Her concern is, rather, in her words, “the narrative” – the fact that these crimes are no longer hidden and are now being live-streamed and documented in real time, making it harder for her and others to control it. TikTok cannot be blamed for the fact that many members of Gen Z understand that Israel is …](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pwsjq3xnal6auzgeqho4ecw7/bafkreiafbjju65esvo6htynkkl6or6muv4qqhwo5fghkkbyvclgnxxmchy@jpeg)
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
Reposted by Patrick A
Kent County Council is considering closing local libraries and rubbish tips to cut costs. Kids need libraries to learn, and tip closures risk fly-tipping on our streets. I’ve signed to stop this. Will you add your name too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ci...
Save vital Kent services
Kent County Council is considering closing local libraries and rubbish tips to cut costs. Kids need libraries to learn, and tip closures risk fly-tipping on our streets. I’ve signed to stop this. Will...
you.38degrees.org.uk
December 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Kent County Council is considering closing local libraries and rubbish tips to cut costs. Kids need libraries to learn, and tip closures risk fly-tipping on our streets. I’ve signed to stop this. Will you add your name too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ci...
Reposted by Patrick A
Oooh Petplan are doing a thing where you can nominate a pet charity to win £1k!
It closes at midnight tonight. If anyone would like to nominate Holly's Merry Moggies, our official postcode is NG3 2DG. Thank you!!
It closes at midnight tonight. If anyone would like to nominate Holly's Merry Moggies, our official postcode is NG3 2DG. Thank you!!
www.petplan.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Oooh Petplan are doing a thing where you can nominate a pet charity to win £1k!
It closes at midnight tonight. If anyone would like to nominate Holly's Merry Moggies, our official postcode is NG3 2DG. Thank you!!
It closes at midnight tonight. If anyone would like to nominate Holly's Merry Moggies, our official postcode is NG3 2DG. Thank you!!
Reposted by Patrick A
From the CWS ARCHIVE. 4th June 2024.
December 5, 2025 at 11:45 AM
From the CWS ARCHIVE. 4th June 2024.
Da fuck? My mum had rabies jabs back when it was multiple, hefty, intramuscular shots in the stomach. Horrendous, traumatising and still better than getting rabies.
December 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Da fuck? My mum had rabies jabs back when it was multiple, hefty, intramuscular shots in the stomach. Horrendous, traumatising and still better than getting rabies.
Reposted by Patrick A
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
December 9, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
Reposted by Patrick A
When The Law Said No: How GC Arguments Failed in Court
The headlines say Peggie won
The actual judgment?
Trans women don't pose safety risks.
Trans inclusion is lawful.
GC beliefs don't permit harassment.
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
@helenwebberley.bsky.social
@heatherpaterson.co.uk
The headlines say Peggie won
The actual judgment?
Trans women don't pose safety risks.
Trans inclusion is lawful.
GC beliefs don't permit harassment.
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
@helenwebberley.bsky.social
@heatherpaterson.co.uk
When the Law Said No: How Gender Critical Arguments Failed in Court
A plain English guide to what the Peggie judgment actually decided
ajustsociety.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:22 AM
When The Law Said No: How GC Arguments Failed in Court
The headlines say Peggie won
The actual judgment?
Trans women don't pose safety risks.
Trans inclusion is lawful.
GC beliefs don't permit harassment.
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
@helenwebberley.bsky.social
@heatherpaterson.co.uk
The headlines say Peggie won
The actual judgment?
Trans women don't pose safety risks.
Trans inclusion is lawful.
GC beliefs don't permit harassment.
@helenbelcherobe.bsky.social
@helenwebberley.bsky.social
@heatherpaterson.co.uk
Being both an Irish citizen by right (father from NI) and not born in the UK, this might make me nervous. Except that I'm white and this shower aren't in any danger of even being the next opposition.
The Conservative party’s policy also includes stripping people of their British citizenship when they are found guilty of a crime ⬇️
All criminals with dual nationality must be deported, say Tories
The Conservative party’s policy also includes stripping people of their British citizenship when they are found guilty of a crime
www.thetimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Being both an Irish citizen by right (father from NI) and not born in the UK, this might make me nervous. Except that I'm white and this shower aren't in any danger of even being the next opposition.
Been there!
![doctors trying to figure out my diagnosis [pic of dart board with about 30 darts in the wall where they totally missed]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dbzmdmsaz6lkhb4tv3culzme/bafkreicjqlxcj5z6wuuo54vc4hvfsgv36n3uloasps6fo35l346ooktoya@jpeg)
December 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Been there!
Reposted by Patrick A
pals you gotta quit spotify
December 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
pals you gotta quit spotify
Reposted by Patrick A
Still looking for witnesses if you are near Swindon and able to share with friends and neighbours
My friend's son was hit by a car whilst cycling yesterday outside Swindon. He is seriously injured. The car sped off and the police are looking for witnesses, particularly those with dashcams.
Please do share the article below if you're local to that area:
Please do share the article below if you're local to that area:
Cyclist suffers serious injuries in suspected hit and run on busy road
A cyclist suffered potentially life changing injuries in a suspected hit and run near Swindon.
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Still looking for witnesses if you are near Swindon and able to share with friends and neighbours
Reposted by Patrick A
all that to say, if somebody is atrocious is one way they are probably atrocious in multiple directions and this is why you should roundly expel any transphobes from your group, even if they claim to profess other left leaning beliefs)
December 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
all that to say, if somebody is atrocious is one way they are probably atrocious in multiple directions and this is why you should roundly expel any transphobes from your group, even if they claim to profess other left leaning beliefs)
I mean, at least they don't make it in a microwave.
Capturer le banal de la vie, c’était la tasse de thé de Martin Parr.
Le photographe documentaire britannique de renommée mondiale, Martin Parr, nous a quittés.
@28minutes-arte.bsky.social
Le photographe documentaire britannique de renommée mondiale, Martin Parr, nous a quittés.
@28minutes-arte.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I mean, at least they don't make it in a microwave.
Reposted by Patrick A
My first post for #Caturday, and a Bobcat with its catch on the Tennessee Valley trail. First time I've seen one in the wild - beautiful! #EastCoastKin #Photography
December 7, 2025 at 2:12 AM
My first post for #Caturday, and a Bobcat with its catch on the Tennessee Valley trail. First time I've seen one in the wild - beautiful! #EastCoastKin #Photography
Reposted by Patrick A
Relevant to any organisation currently imagining it is protected by the First Amendment or by the terms of use of companies dependent on government contracts
My org @fightforthefuture.org has been “de-googling” for the last year.
We’re totally off Google suite, Google docs, Drive, Calendar.
We’re using Signal and Element for chat, Nextcloud for docs, etc
Planning to publish a “how to” guide for other nonprofits and activist groups soonish.
We’re totally off Google suite, Google docs, Drive, Calendar.
We’re using Signal and Element for chat, Nextcloud for docs, etc
Planning to publish a “how to” guide for other nonprofits and activist groups soonish.
December 7, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Relevant to any organisation currently imagining it is protected by the First Amendment or by the terms of use of companies dependent on government contracts
Not quite finished, but it's up. The optical fibres are unravelling from the branches a bit, but then it has seen twenty or more Xmases.
December 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Not quite finished, but it's up. The optical fibres are unravelling from the branches a bit, but then it has seen twenty or more Xmases.
Reposted by Patrick A
my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
December 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
my great-grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1890s with nothing.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
they sold pickles from the front room window, took in laundry, worked as tailors.
their children were nurses, teachers, salesmen.
their grandchildren were professors, designers, opticians, doctors, magistrates, entrepreneurs.
Reposted by Patrick A
Scientists recently combined the DNA of a cheetah with the DNA of a crab.
Things went sideways real fast.
Things went sideways real fast.
December 7, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Scientists recently combined the DNA of a cheetah with the DNA of a crab.
Things went sideways real fast.
Things went sideways real fast.
There was a brief period during lockdown when it seemed like society had finally realised how important all the low paid, "low skilled" workers actually are to making modern life work. Apparently that is over.
December 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
There was a brief period during lockdown when it seemed like society had finally realised how important all the low paid, "low skilled" workers actually are to making modern life work. Apparently that is over.