This is just tragic. I didn't realise it was possible to feel sorry for someone that you really don't like. That poor, poor man.

Update. I think he had another one today. We're saving a fortune on cat food. Despite being eco-fiends, the neighbours are delighted with his efforts—squirrels have been digging up their flower bulbs, and Bongo has put a stop to it. It's a cruel world.

I'm simply not interested in celebrity. Actors, sportspeople, presenters, musclicians, whoever, I may be impressed with what they do, but I'm just not interested in their personal lives. Am I the only one? Or is celebrity a kind of universal cultural phenomenon that I just don't get?

…Thought as much! That's the fifth one I know about that he's had this year—but there doesn't seem to be a shortage. Once next door's new chickens are deployed, he'll move on to the rats attracted to their feed. That's his actual job. 🐈☠️

Rather a key issue though is that the EU, UK et al are still making it far too difficult for Afghan women, or anyone, to seek asylum in the first place. They recognise the risks people face, but then do nothing to ensure they can reach safety. #R4Todaywww.theguardian.com/law/2024/oct...

EU court rules gender and nationality enough to grant Afghan women asylum

ECJ ruling follows Afghan women’s challenge to Austrian court refusal to give them refugee status

"Democracy does not function as it was intended. The system is not a for and by-the-people institution anymore. It works for the select entitled few. It can't be repaired, unless we rebuild a Welfare State fit for the 21st century." jmsmith.substack.com/p/my-belly-w...

"My belly would never be full because I was the bairn of a Yorkshire miner."

The Green & Pleasant Land is almost ready to be sent to a publisher.

For the last day or so, Bongo hasn't come when called, and, when he's deigned to put in an appearance to eat, he's been visibly well fed even before he starts. He's a known killer. I'm suspicious. 🐈☠️

Grum is the strong, silent type. He trudges around with the rest of the party, and never contributes any dialogue other than, "Hmph!", to express contempt or disapproval. Which is all he ever expresses.

Judging by everyone’s reactions, I think it’s safe to say that nobody really believes that LK hadn’t intentionally sent the briefing notes to Johnson & that the particular issue here is that this time she accidentally cc’d in someone else who might have called it out 🤷‍♀️

It's definitely worthwhile listening to @timothysnyder.bsky.socialcastbox.fm/vb/739951349

Tim Snyder: Why a Trump victory is a threat to freedom

<p>Alan and Lionel are joined by Yale history professor and leading scholar of Soviet Russia, Tim Snyder. Snyder’s new book, <em>On Freedom</em>, explor...