Christian Balanes
@ceebarnacles.bsky.social
By the sea or by the books. Never ever submit to authority.
Institutions sit silent on this important aspect in connection to its material & cultural wealth. Without acknowledgment and discussion it is impossible for these places to claim they are just, progressive and inclusive spaces ‘for everyone’. The ‘world of knowledge’ [British edition] must do better
This history and legacy lives with the nation and it is still beyond its moral and intellectual capacity to own it.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
January 25, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Institutions sit silent on this important aspect in connection to its material & cultural wealth. Without acknowledgment and discussion it is impossible for these places to claim they are just, progressive and inclusive spaces ‘for everyone’. The ‘world of knowledge’ [British edition] must do better
This history and legacy lives with the nation and it is still beyond its moral and intellectual capacity to own it.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
January 25, 2026 at 8:58 AM
This history and legacy lives with the nation and it is still beyond its moral and intellectual capacity to own it.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
It is of course content to own resources built on its wealth. Its determination to cover up and elide it is shameful, especially when posing as a ‘fair’ society.
Thankful for true independent research into national history around British and Royal involvement and enrichment in *its* system of enslavement. These are the undeniable ‘social circumstances’ behind the cultural riches of collections like The King’s Library
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
British crown was world’s largest buyer of enslaved people by 1807, book reveals
Exclusive: Author of The Crown’s Silence tells how navy and monarchy protected slave trade for hundreds of years
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Thankful for true independent research into national history around British and Royal involvement and enrichment in *its* system of enslavement. These are the undeniable ‘social circumstances’ behind the cultural riches of collections like The King’s Library
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Christian Balanes
The world should not come here. There should not be a World Cup here.
I spoke out against the last World Cup because of concerns I had about human rights violations and it’s only right that I express the same concerns and condemnations now.
I spoke out against the last World Cup because of concerns I had about human rights violations and it’s only right that I express the same concerns and condemnations now.
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it's time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 7:21 PM
The world should not come here. There should not be a World Cup here.
I spoke out against the last World Cup because of concerns I had about human rights violations and it’s only right that I express the same concerns and condemnations now.
I spoke out against the last World Cup because of concerns I had about human rights violations and it’s only right that I express the same concerns and condemnations now.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Can't hold a World Cup in a country where the dictator's secret police are executing peaceful protesters in the streets.
Wrote this in 2017 about the Russia 2018 World Cup and reposted it four years later about Qatar. In 2026, only the names have changed.*
Ultimately, nothing makes a difference, but you'll at least know you weren't part of it.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/w...
Ultimately, nothing makes a difference, but you'll at least know you weren't part of it.
theuglygame.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/w...
Why it’s time to boycott the World Cup – Fifa corruption, human decency, sponsor weakness and Russia 2018
Sepp Blatter has gone, but Fifa hasn’t changed. His legacy will be on display next summer: a festival of football glorifying one of the world’s most appalling regimes. Enough is enough, it’s time t…
theuglygame.wordpress.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Can't hold a World Cup in a country where the dictator's secret police are executing peaceful protesters in the streets.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
My latest blog is about Paul Robeson, who died 50 years ago.
buddyhell.wordpress.com/2026/01/24/r...
buddyhell.wordpress.com/2026/01/24/r...
Remembering Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson died 50 years ago yesterday, and I’ll always remember the following exchange between my parents. Mum – I see Paul Robeson died today Dad – He was a communist Mum R…
buddyhell.wordpress.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:52 PM
My latest blog is about Paul Robeson, who died 50 years ago.
buddyhell.wordpress.com/2026/01/24/r...
buddyhell.wordpress.com/2026/01/24/r...
I have never supported the ‘cause’ behind the ‘War on Terror’ but in sheer terms of humanity this captures the ignorant, obnoxious puff and strut of fascism:
To the cowardly draft-dodging lump of excrement, who describes his own brave war dead as 'suckers and losers': UK personnel killed in Afghanistan fighting alongside our US allies number 454,with 2000 + wounded, many severely. In Iraq, 179 killed, 3598 wounded. Josh Leakey's VC citation says it all.
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I have never supported the ‘cause’ behind the ‘War on Terror’ but in sheer terms of humanity this captures the ignorant, obnoxious puff and strut of fascism:
Reposted by Christian Balanes
To the cowardly draft-dodging lump of excrement, who describes his own brave war dead as 'suckers and losers': UK personnel killed in Afghanistan fighting alongside our US allies number 454,with 2000 + wounded, many severely. In Iraq, 179 killed, 3598 wounded. Josh Leakey's VC citation says it all.
January 23, 2026 at 1:48 PM
To the cowardly draft-dodging lump of excrement, who describes his own brave war dead as 'suckers and losers': UK personnel killed in Afghanistan fighting alongside our US allies number 454,with 2000 + wounded, many severely. In Iraq, 179 killed, 3598 wounded. Josh Leakey's VC citation says it all.
Where are all the usual UK Veterans trumpeters / exploiters queuing up to condemn Trump and his denigration of combat veterans killed following the U.S. call for the (confected) ‘War on Terror’?!
January 22, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Where are all the usual UK Veterans trumpeters / exploiters queuing up to condemn Trump and his denigration of combat veterans killed following the U.S. call for the (confected) ‘War on Terror’?!
Just seen someone suggest / believe Lisa Nandy is the ‘attack dog’ à la John Prescott that Starmer needs to subtext Trump. Good grief.
January 22, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Just seen someone suggest / believe Lisa Nandy is the ‘attack dog’ à la John Prescott that Starmer needs to subtext Trump. Good grief.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Print history fam— ICE is terrorizing & threatening this small business print shop in Minneapolis: Smart Set Community Printing.
If you’re in the area and need some printing (fine prints, business cards, stickers, saddle-stitched booklets, posters, etc) please consider supporting them! smartset.com
If you’re in the area and need some printing (fine prints, business cards, stickers, saddle-stitched booklets, posters, etc) please consider supporting them! smartset.com
Smart Set · Smart Set, Quick Printing, Minneapolis, MN
Certified B Corp and Union quick printer located in Minneapolis
smartset.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Print history fam— ICE is terrorizing & threatening this small business print shop in Minneapolis: Smart Set Community Printing.
If you’re in the area and need some printing (fine prints, business cards, stickers, saddle-stitched booklets, posters, etc) please consider supporting them! smartset.com
If you’re in the area and need some printing (fine prints, business cards, stickers, saddle-stitched booklets, posters, etc) please consider supporting them! smartset.com
Ha. Like Andy Burnham is Roger Ramjet or something. This is how desperate shit is these days.
a cartoon drawing of a red and white plane with the letter r on it
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a red and white plane with the letter r on it
media.tenor.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Ha. Like Andy Burnham is Roger Ramjet or something. This is how desperate shit is these days.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
This gesture means: I am reading, f*ck off.
January 22, 2026 at 9:51 AM
This gesture means: I am reading, f*ck off.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Aw, don’t be mean. Just let him have it.
January 21, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Aw, don’t be mean. Just let him have it.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Watched this today. Quite liked it. Especially liked the Dartmoorage and the Ditsworthy Warren location featuring. Used to start many a hike from there as a young’un.
m.imdb.com/title/tt2689...
m.imdb.com/title/tt2689...
All the Devils Are Here (2025) ⭐ 5.4 | Mystery, Thriller
1h 31m | R
m.imdb.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Watched this today. Quite liked it. Especially liked the Dartmoorage and the Ditsworthy Warren location featuring. Used to start many a hike from there as a young’un.
m.imdb.com/title/tt2689...
m.imdb.com/title/tt2689...
Just noticed this ‘change my nation’ button on the BBC site and got momentarily excited!
January 21, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Just noticed this ‘change my nation’ button on the BBC site and got momentarily excited!
Everything I look at online is grim, so I am just going to keep looking at this …
🕺♥️🤍
🕺♥️🤍
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Everything I look at online is grim, so I am just going to keep looking at this …
🕺♥️🤍
🕺♥️🤍
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Noor Hindi's poem on poetry and craft.
Metaphors about death are for poets who think ghosts care about sound.
- Noor Hindi
Metaphors about death are for poets who think ghosts care about sound.
- Noor Hindi
January 20, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Noor Hindi's poem on poetry and craft.
Metaphors about death are for poets who think ghosts care about sound.
- Noor Hindi
Metaphors about death are for poets who think ghosts care about sound.
- Noor Hindi
Of diuers notable and famous Women …
Aelian lists six. Three Greek, three Roman.
“More could I recounte, but I wyll not, least I might be suspected of flattery, and cast in the téeth with parasitical practise, and the art of adulation: which I vtterly abhorre.”
STC: 164
Top Trumps LOL factor: 88
Aelian lists six. Three Greek, three Roman.
“More could I recounte, but I wyll not, least I might be suspected of flattery, and cast in the téeth with parasitical practise, and the art of adulation: which I vtterly abhorre.”
STC: 164
Top Trumps LOL factor: 88
January 20, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Of diuers notable and famous Women …
Aelian lists six. Three Greek, three Roman.
“More could I recounte, but I wyll not, least I might be suspected of flattery, and cast in the téeth with parasitical practise, and the art of adulation: which I vtterly abhorre.”
STC: 164
Top Trumps LOL factor: 88
Aelian lists six. Three Greek, three Roman.
“More could I recounte, but I wyll not, least I might be suspected of flattery, and cast in the téeth with parasitical practise, and the art of adulation: which I vtterly abhorre.”
STC: 164
Top Trumps LOL factor: 88
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Last night's Aurora Borealis over Greenland.
January 18, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Last night's Aurora Borealis over Greenland.
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Certainly then that people must needs be mad or strangely infatuated, that build the chief hope of their common happiness or safety on a single person: who if he … be bad, hath in his hands to do more evil without check, than millions of other men ~ John Milton, 1660
January 20, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Certainly then that people must needs be mad or strangely infatuated, that build the chief hope of their common happiness or safety on a single person: who if he … be bad, hath in his hands to do more evil without check, than millions of other men ~ John Milton, 1660
Reposted by Christian Balanes
Nay it is well and happy for the people if their King be but a cypher, being oft times a mischief, a pest, a scourge of the nation ~ John Milton
January 20, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Nay it is well and happy for the people if their King be but a cypher, being oft times a mischief, a pest, a scourge of the nation ~ John Milton