Susan Smith
@susansmith65.bsky.social
Reposts and likes are endorsements of the post (not necessarily the poster) unless indicated otherwise - why "like" something I don't agree with?
Reposted by Susan Smith
I read somewhere that the secret key to postwar British history is that in any incident, meeting, whatever, there’s a high chance that most participants are a bit tipsy and someone round the table is absolutely steaming drunk.
Happy 79th anniversary to this diary entry from Evelyn Waugh, in which he drinks enough to make you wonder how he lived for a further 19 years:
December 19, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I read somewhere that the secret key to postwar British history is that in any incident, meeting, whatever, there’s a high chance that most participants are a bit tipsy and someone round the table is absolutely steaming drunk.
Reposted by Susan Smith
That was one epic party last night....
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
That was one epic party last night....
Reposted by Susan Smith
Agreed 😡
And what about artists? Musicians? Carers? Teachers? Hospitality workers? Bricklayers? Agricultural workers? Stay-at-home parents and grandparents?
None are high earners.
But all contribute massively to our economy and society - whether directly or indirectly.
And what about artists? Musicians? Carers? Teachers? Hospitality workers? Bricklayers? Agricultural workers? Stay-at-home parents and grandparents?
None are high earners.
But all contribute massively to our economy and society - whether directly or indirectly.
December 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Agreed 😡
And what about artists? Musicians? Carers? Teachers? Hospitality workers? Bricklayers? Agricultural workers? Stay-at-home parents and grandparents?
None are high earners.
But all contribute massively to our economy and society - whether directly or indirectly.
And what about artists? Musicians? Carers? Teachers? Hospitality workers? Bricklayers? Agricultural workers? Stay-at-home parents and grandparents?
None are high earners.
But all contribute massively to our economy and society - whether directly or indirectly.
Reposted by Susan Smith
Reposted by Susan Smith
History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here
December 6, 2025 at 8:55 PM
History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here
Reposted by Susan Smith
Reposted by Susan Smith
Reposted by Susan Smith
Look at this absolute professional just doing his job.
November 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Look at this absolute professional just doing his job.
Reposted by Susan Smith
First three words superfluous.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
Legal experts say there is no basis in the US Constitution for a president to revoke pardons.
Trump says he has revoked Biden’s autopen pardons: But can he do it?
Legal experts say there is no basis in the US Constitution for a president to revoke pardons.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
First three words superfluous.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
This framing of unlawful things as a mere matter of legal opinion sadly not limited to US press.
Reposted by Susan Smith
We know good research can take time, and that’s why we’re proud to invest for the long term.
After 20 years of public investment, BIOMASS, a satellite mission designed to track the health of Earth’s forests, is in space🚀
Find out more: www.ukri.org/who-we-are/h...
After 20 years of public investment, BIOMASS, a satellite mission designed to track the health of Earth’s forests, is in space🚀
Find out more: www.ukri.org/who-we-are/h...
Funding delivers satellite to monitor climate regulating forests
A space satellite developed through international collaboration to track the health of Earth's forests will address climate change and improve lives.
www.ukri.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 AM
We know good research can take time, and that’s why we’re proud to invest for the long term.
After 20 years of public investment, BIOMASS, a satellite mission designed to track the health of Earth’s forests, is in space🚀
Find out more: www.ukri.org/who-we-are/h...
After 20 years of public investment, BIOMASS, a satellite mission designed to track the health of Earth’s forests, is in space🚀
Find out more: www.ukri.org/who-we-are/h...
Reposted by Susan Smith
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Reposted by Susan Smith
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by Susan Smith
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. Ate it.
December 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. Ate it.
Reposted by Susan Smith
There are think tanks, NGOs, etc that inform and analyse in order to promote serious political debate and others (most?) much more interested in making lots of noise....front runners in first group include @resolutionfoundation.org @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social and @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Resolution Foundation does some great, informative stuff on policy/politics. Really welcome antidote to the breathless obsession of most of Westminster village with who-said-whattery-when and meaningless opinion poll speculation about the next election. @resolutionfoundation.org
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
It's estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP this financial year.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️ buff.ly/s5mz97u
It's estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP this financial year.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️ buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
There are think tanks, NGOs, etc that inform and analyse in order to promote serious political debate and others (most?) much more interested in making lots of noise....front runners in first group include @resolutionfoundation.org @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social and @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Reposted by Susan Smith
Muscular Christianity.
“Wear some headphones, kid. And put your shoes back on”
“Wear some headphones, kid. And put your shoes back on”
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Muscular Christianity.
“Wear some headphones, kid. And put your shoes back on”
“Wear some headphones, kid. And put your shoes back on”
Reposted by Susan Smith
There's an advert on his website for a 'Depot Supervisor' that pays £12.75 an hour for shift work.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
There's an advert on his website for a 'Depot Supervisor' that pays £12.75 an hour for shift work.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
Reposted by Susan Smith
Big news: the European Court of Justice rules that all member states are obliged to recognise a same-sex marriage lawfully concluded in another member state.
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Big news: the European Court of Justice rules that all member states are obliged to recognise a same-sex marriage lawfully concluded in another member state.
Reposted by Susan Smith
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Susan Smith
VACCINE NEWS: A pair of Cochrane Review papers provide the strongest evidence to date that the HPV vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
Girls who are vaccinated before age 16 have an 80 percent lower risk of cervical cancer.
Girls who are vaccinated before age 16 have an 80 percent lower risk of cervical cancer.
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 AM
VACCINE NEWS: A pair of Cochrane Review papers provide the strongest evidence to date that the HPV vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
Girls who are vaccinated before age 16 have an 80 percent lower risk of cervical cancer.
Girls who are vaccinated before age 16 have an 80 percent lower risk of cervical cancer.
Reposted by Susan Smith
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Profoundly beautiful account of the history of snow studies, the fragility of snow and the impact of the anthropocene by Sverker Sörlin.
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Also an appeal for a different way of doing #science
Reposted by Susan Smith
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
Reposted by Susan Smith
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Reposted by Susan Smith
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Reposted by Susan Smith
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Susan Smith
Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc being the only human character in a film of Muppets is, and I’m trying not to be dramatic here, the reason cinema was invented in the first place!
Am I a hypocrite for wanting this after giving a hard no to muppet knives out
Okay, I'm making my case for the only Muppet I want to see on Broadway right now...
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc being the only human character in a film of Muppets is, and I’m trying not to be dramatic here, the reason cinema was invented in the first place!