Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Annelise Jespersen

James Loxley @oldnorthroad.bsky.social · 3h

Wordsworth’s poem, ‘London 1802’:

Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

Reposted by Annelise Jespersen

Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · 1d

I would read the hell out of a deeply reported piece on how the media/political elite addiction to Twitter is shaping their views, which in turn shape the views of millions of people. It's a total reality-warper.

jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 1d

i’m increasingly convinced that many people in d.c. are just suffering from x dot com brain rot

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

Well, he retired at 25 to become a finance manager, so it's easy to have missed him!

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

I've got a pair of signed Espen Baarsden gloves that my husband (who's not a football fan) bought for me at a random charity auction. He was very proud of himself, though I don't think Baardsen played for us after that!

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

[Searches for gif of Teemu Tainio pointing to Wembley scoreboard...]

Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

I agree something *should* give - and maybe a limit on number of games a player can play is the best solution - but it's easy to overlook how fans of clubs not in Europe or premier league feel about changes to domestic game to suit just a few clubs.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

But the extra football is because of increased European and international tournaments, so why should we reduce domestic games again (having already reduced League Cup games and FA Cup replays), espcially when most clubs aren't in Europe?

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, I suppose I wasn't expecting anything more concrete but was still disappointed.

Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 1d

I wrote to the Cabinet Office a while ago to ask why the govt was still on X, and whether there were any plans to post on BlueSky.
Their non-reply just said that they don't do any paid comms on X and "GCS continues to keep use of the platform under review".

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Reposted by Annelise Jespersen

Steve Cockburn @stevecockburn.bsky.social · 2d

The fact that an Afghanistan women's refugee team is now playing in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament is that little glint of light that we all need.

It's testament to some incredible, courageous and persistent women who will not let Afghan women be erased from sport.

www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...

Afghan women’s football team makes international return after four years

Afghanistan women's refugee team played their first match in a FIFA-organised four-team friendly competition in Morocco.

www.aljazeera.com

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 2d

I thought it was very good (having nearly been put off by first 10 mins). Lots to take in, lots of great scenes, very funny in parts, maybe over the top but in a good way.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 2d

And even stronger Sean Penn in One Battle After Another vibes.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 2d

Yeah, it would be just as bad a decision as it was to take the Forest job.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 4d

Hah. I'd held on for a record time through sheer willpower and horror. Then I realised how long the cops were going to keep us in for, and had no choice.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 4d

Yes! Never again. And the funniest part of the convo with the Frankfurt fans was they then said, disgustedly, "Have you ever been to the San Siro?"

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 4d

That's a shame - I'm really proud of the loos at Spurs! Talking to some female Frankfurt fans in Germany last year, when I asked what they thought of our stadium, they said we had the best women's loos in Europe!

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 4d

What did you think of their new ground?

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 4d

Someone tell Jamie Redknapp that in the last two seasons Spurs scored the third most goals from corners in the premier league.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 5d

Tbf 5Live did quite a thoughtful piece on it a while ago, but yeah, I doubt if it would be widely accepted.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 5d

It can't be underestimated, though obviously can't be measured. If it's made them 10% less focused etc, that's massive at this level.
And having so many new players coming into such unusual circumstances could make for strange squad dynamics.

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Reposted by Annelise Jespersen

Bridget 🧟‍♀️ Oooo Brains @bridgetemob.bsky.social · 5d

Went to a prayer service tonight at St. Mary of the Lake, where they have cardboard cutouts throughout the church representing parishioners afraid to come to Mass because of ICE.

a photograph of the interior of a church. Several people are visible sitting in pews. In the pew immediately in front of the photographer, a black human-sized cardboard cutout in the outline of a woman is visible, as though a shadow is sitting in the pew in front of you.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 6d

Having just spent the week with my 93 year old mum, and wondering what I'll struggle with at that age that I now find straightforward, this is a timely and very good read.

Polly Mackenzie @pollymackenzie.bsky.social · 6d

Loving your country means loving it as it is — not as you wish it were.

Britain is getting old. Instead of fearing it, we should lead the world in how to live longer, better.

My new piece on making the most of an ageing society is out.

howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/we-must-lo...

We must love the country we are

How to make the most of an ageing society

howtorunacountry.substack.com

Reposted by Annelise Jespersen

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 7d

Big year for photos of clergy enduring pain while protesting ICE.

· Rev. David Black, Chicago Sun-Times: chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...

· Rev. Jorge Bautista, SF Chron: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

· Rev. Hannah Kardon, Chicago Protest Photography: www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...

Rev. David Black being pepper sprayed by ICE/DHS agents.

Rev. Jorge Bautista squints in pain after being shot with apparent pepper balls by ICE/DHS agents.

Rev. Hannah Kardon is arrested by three Illinois State Police outside the Broadview, Illinois ICE facility.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 8d

But we are conceding lots of chances - we've rode our luck in a few games, including tonight. I don't mind Palhinha and Betancur, but we're still not secure with them so it seems the worst of both worlds.

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Annelise Jespersen @abysstalks.bsky.social · 8d

Thanks. I was close!

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