@belleslettres.bsky.social
Skeptical iconoclast freelancer, ex-Wall St lawyer,ex-Dubliner, outraged pol/econ observer, lover of Irish lit/theater/mother wit, now living in Normandy, searching for a home.
Pinned
Discover the CIA’s Simple Sabotage Field Manual: A Timeless Guide to Subverting Any Organization with “Purposeful Stupidity” (1944)
www.openculture.com/2024/11/the-...
www.openculture.com/2024/11/the-...
Discover the CIA’s Simple Sabotage Field Manual: A Timeless Guide to Subverting Any Organization with “Purposeful Stupidity” (1944)
I’ve always admired people who can successfully navigate what I refer to as “Kafka’s Castle,” a term of dread for the many government and corporate agencies that have an inordinate amount of power ove...
www.openculture.com
A bestseller
Reposted
lololol - Zohran getting him to pose in front of FDR is just <chef's kiss> - truly a god-tier level troll
November 22, 2025 at 12:22 AM
lololol - Zohran getting him to pose in front of FDR is just <chef's kiss> - truly a god-tier level troll
Reposted
Laughing at Donald Trump saying he'd definitely feel comfortable living in Zohran Mamdani's New York on the same day that half the consultant brain-poisoned Democratic party voted to condemn socialism
November 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Laughing at Donald Trump saying he'd definitely feel comfortable living in Zohran Mamdani's New York on the same day that half the consultant brain-poisoned Democratic party voted to condemn socialism
Reposted
It also implies that “Writer” is a medical condition, which would explain a lot.
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
It also implies that “Writer” is a medical condition, which would explain a lot.
Reposted
“Follow the money,” says Elizabeth Warren. “JP Morgan opened 134 accounts for Epstein, did more than $1bn in transactions for him, gave him a $50m line of credit... I'd like Jamie Dimon and other bankers to come in and, under oath, testify about the financial trail that kept Epstein afloat.”
Warren: "With Jeffrey Epstein, I really mean follow the money. Here's the deal - JPMorgan Chase - yes, Jamie Dimon, I'm looking at you -- is Epstein's bank, a close personal relationship that spans years. Shouldn't this be in the JPMorgan's ads?...I'd like to have Dimon come in & under oath testify"
November 21, 2025 at 10:30 PM
“Follow the money,” says Elizabeth Warren. “JP Morgan opened 134 accounts for Epstein, did more than $1bn in transactions for him, gave him a $50m line of credit... I'd like Jamie Dimon and other bankers to come in and, under oath, testify about the financial trail that kept Epstein afloat.”
Reposted
For whatever reason, in minutes, Trump has spoken more warmly about Zohran Mamdani than some of the Democratic party leadership has to date
"The better he does, the happier I am," Donald Trump says about Zohran Mamdani as he congratulates him.
Trump speaking with a warm tone towards the new mayor of New York City.
Trump speaking with a warm tone towards the new mayor of New York City.
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
For whatever reason, in minutes, Trump has spoken more warmly about Zohran Mamdani than some of the Democratic party leadership has to date
Reposted
Great new @bloomberg.com piece by Jessica Stolzberg on ongoing struggle against stupidest and most harmful part of current 'Conspicuous Consumption' yard hygiene.
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What It Takes to Defeat the Leaf Blowers
To end the use of gas-powered blowers, advocates in one New Jersey town focused on public health and made their case directly to local elected leaders.
www.bloomberg.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Great new @bloomberg.com piece by Jessica Stolzberg on ongoing struggle against stupidest and most harmful part of current 'Conspicuous Consumption' yard hygiene.
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted
The insecurity of ultra-wealth is a core driver of our current politics, @joshtpm.bsky.social writes — "the tightly bound together mixture of insecurity and aggression which is at the center of everything."
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-b...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-b...
The Brittle Grip of Ultra-Wealth
Just before I began writing this post, I saw this article from...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The insecurity of ultra-wealth is a core driver of our current politics, @joshtpm.bsky.social writes — "the tightly bound together mixture of insecurity and aggression which is at the center of everything."
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-b...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-b...
Reposted
Number one this day in 1981 on the UK official singles chart
Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure
Video of the Day
Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure
Video of the Day
Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
From Queen’s Hot Space, released in 1981. Order via Amazon UK & US below.. CD. Vinyl. (UK) CD. Vinyl. (US)
www.davidbowienews.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Number one this day in 1981 on the UK official singles chart
Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure
Video of the Day
Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure
Video of the Day
Reposted
A noir-vember essential from Alexander Mackendrick, “Sweet Smell of Success” was a flop upon its initial release in 1957 — but its weathered, weary cynicism has aged like a fine wine. crookedmarquee.com/classic-corn...
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A noir-vember essential from Alexander Mackendrick, “Sweet Smell of Success” was a flop upon its initial release in 1957 — but its weathered, weary cynicism has aged like a fine wine. crookedmarquee.com/classic-corn...
Reposted
The Fern Harvesters in the Boid d'Amour at Pont Aven https://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-serusier/the-fern-harvesters-in-the-boid-d-amour-at-pont-aven
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Fern Harvesters in the Boid d'Amour at Pont Aven https://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-serusier/the-fern-harvesters-in-the-boid-d-amour-at-pont-aven
Reposted
Lüneburg II by Lyonel Feininger, 1933
https://botfrens.com/collections/212/contents/137444
https://botfrens.com/collections/212/contents/137444
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Lüneburg II by Lyonel Feininger, 1933
https://botfrens.com/collections/212/contents/137444
https://botfrens.com/collections/212/contents/137444
Reposted
Makes u think
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today that the fight against climate change was not against the fuels that cause it — only the pollution they emit.
Von der Leyen says EU is not fighting fossil fuels, only emissions
The comment could undermine European countries’ push at COP30 to move away from coal, oil and gas.
www.politico.eu
November 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Makes u think
Reposted
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted
“Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bone-sawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity,” @seth-stern.bsky.social said.
Read the full statement:
Read the full statement:
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“Scolding a U.S. reporter for asking questions about MBS ordering a fellow journalist to be bone-sawed to death signals to dictators everywhere that they can murder journalists with impunity,” @seth-stern.bsky.social said.
Read the full statement:
Read the full statement:
Reposted
Reworking Millet’s The Sower (1888), Van Gogh thematically combined labor with Provençal sunlight—heaven and earth joined not by doctrine, but by color.
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reworking Millet’s The Sower (1888), Van Gogh thematically combined labor with Provençal sunlight—heaven and earth joined not by doctrine, but by color.
Reposted
Have you ever really LOOKED at your pet's legs & paws?
What am I saying? You bunch of goobers have DEFINITELY looked at them.
But have you noticed they have an extra "bend" in them you don't have? Like where your calves are, they have an ANGLE.
That's because their HEEL is halfway up their leg.
What am I saying? You bunch of goobers have DEFINITELY looked at them.
But have you noticed they have an extra "bend" in them you don't have? Like where your calves are, they have an ANGLE.
That's because their HEEL is halfway up their leg.
a close up of a cat 's paws with pink pads laying on a couch .
Alt: a close up of a cat 's paws with pink pads laying on a couch . It slowly spreads the toe beans.
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Have you ever really LOOKED at your pet's legs & paws?
What am I saying? You bunch of goobers have DEFINITELY looked at them.
But have you noticed they have an extra "bend" in them you don't have? Like where your calves are, they have an ANGLE.
That's because their HEEL is halfway up their leg.
What am I saying? You bunch of goobers have DEFINITELY looked at them.
But have you noticed they have an extra "bend" in them you don't have? Like where your calves are, they have an ANGLE.
That's because their HEEL is halfway up their leg.
Reposted
excited to see this because spending time with Hersh in that fire hazard of an office was a singular experience. deadline.com/2025/11/cove...
Watch Trailer For ‘Cover-Up’: Oscar-Contender From Laura Poitras And Mark Obenhaus Documenting Investigative Journalism Powerhouse Seymour Hersh
Watch the trailer for the Seymour Hersh documentary 'Cover-Up,' directed by Oscar winner Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus.
deadline.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
excited to see this because spending time with Hersh in that fire hazard of an office was a singular experience. deadline.com/2025/11/cove...
Reposted
Larry Summers should never have been allowed to wield such influence over US economic affairs.
Critics cite his support for financial deregulation including the repeal of Glass-Steagall. “He opened the door for the disaster we had in the financial crisis,” says @deanbaker13.bsky.social
Critics cite his support for financial deregulation including the repeal of Glass-Steagall. “He opened the door for the disaster we had in the financial crisis,” says @deanbaker13.bsky.social
Lawrence Summers’ extraordinary fall from grace
The reputation of one of America’s leading economists is in tatters since the emergence of emails to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Larry Summers should never have been allowed to wield such influence over US economic affairs.
Critics cite his support for financial deregulation including the repeal of Glass-Steagall. “He opened the door for the disaster we had in the financial crisis,” says @deanbaker13.bsky.social
Critics cite his support for financial deregulation including the repeal of Glass-Steagall. “He opened the door for the disaster we had in the financial crisis,” says @deanbaker13.bsky.social
Reposted
Welcome, Sir Ian McKellen!
Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens, sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy!
www.attitude.co.uk/culture/sir-...
Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens, sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy!
www.attitude.co.uk/culture/sir-...
Sir Ian McKellen joins Jeremy Corbyn's Wicked drag Christmas panto as Toto
Sir Ian McKellen will join Jeremy Corbyn in the Pleasance Theatre’s Christmas panto Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! this festive season.
www.attitude.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Welcome, Sir Ian McKellen!
Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens, sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy!
www.attitude.co.uk/culture/sir-...
Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens, sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy!
www.attitude.co.uk/culture/sir-...
Reposted
Why is this administration only concerned with antisemitism on college campuses?
🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Why is this administration only concerned with antisemitism on college campuses?
🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted
The Ile de la Douane, the Mouthe of the Trieux River https://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-serusier/the-ile-de-la-douane-the-mouthe-of-the-trieux-river-1892
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Ile de la Douane, the Mouthe of the Trieux River https://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-serusier/the-ile-de-la-douane-the-mouthe-of-the-trieux-river-1892
Reposted
Chalais Meudon, 1917
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/16121
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/16121
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Chalais Meudon, 1917
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/16121
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/16121
Reposted
Can’t even think about how much I’m going to miss this one. #ManiForever
November 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Can’t even think about how much I’m going to miss this one. #ManiForever
Reposted
Reading about an exhibition of protest photography in Edinburgh and loving this shot of suffragettes Christabel Pankhurst, Flora Drummond & Emmeline Pankhurst in the dock. The photographer took the shot through a hole in his top hat. Nobody notices, except one woman to the right. Rumbled! @lrb.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reading about an exhibition of protest photography in Edinburgh and loving this shot of suffragettes Christabel Pankhurst, Flora Drummond & Emmeline Pankhurst in the dock. The photographer took the shot through a hole in his top hat. Nobody notices, except one woman to the right. Rumbled! @lrb.co.uk
Reposted
Bridge over the Riou https://www.wikiart.org/en/andre-derain/bridge-over-the-riou-1906
November 21, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Bridge over the Riou https://www.wikiart.org/en/andre-derain/bridge-over-the-riou-1906