Dave Andress
@davidandress.bsky.social
Historian of revolution, pessimistic anarchist. Nobody else wants these views, trust me. 'His real face is a hat' - Fern Riddell.
Reposted by Dave Andress
Islamophobia is rampant domestically, but the West's withdrawal from the international stage - in terms of military, but also aid and soft power - means more and more countries succumbing to militant Islamist regimes.
How do we square that circle? Absolutely fascinating discussion.
How do we square that circle? Absolutely fascinating discussion.
In Mali's capital, the city is surrounded by militants from an Al-Qaeda affiliate. But would the fall of a Russian-backed military govt be worse? And is this inevitable result of cutting aid to the world's poorest nations?
I spoke to Tessa Deveraux of #LSE.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
I spoke to Tessa Deveraux of #LSE.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Crisis in the Sahel: the end of Western intervention and the collapse of Mali
Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 02/12/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Islamophobia is rampant domestically, but the West's withdrawal from the international stage - in terms of military, but also aid and soft power - means more and more countries succumbing to militant Islamist regimes.
How do we square that circle? Absolutely fascinating discussion.
How do we square that circle? Absolutely fascinating discussion.
Stupid people talk about "the battlefield" as if it's some pure, cleansed arena of combat - much like the environment a particularly dim soldier might have internalised from training exercises.
REAL "battlefields", for the last 100 years at least, are full of terrified civilians.
REAL "battlefields", for the last 100 years at least, are full of terrified civilians.
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Stupid people talk about "the battlefield" as if it's some pure, cleansed arena of combat - much like the environment a particularly dim soldier might have internalised from training exercises.
REAL "battlefields", for the last 100 years at least, are full of terrified civilians.
REAL "battlefields", for the last 100 years at least, are full of terrified civilians.
Reposted by Dave Andress
Hang on, what on earth is ‘isolation’ even meant to mean here?
December 3, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Hang on, what on earth is ‘isolation’ even meant to mean here?
Wait, we had a *choice* about Chinese economic development? When was that question asked? Was it a postal ballot, because I don't think I got mine...
Might be a good start to drop the junk narratives about how the modern world is a failure of the EU. No, worse, it was because of the success of what was put in place. Here's the modern world you wanted, now what are you going to do with it?
December 3, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Wait, we had a *choice* about Chinese economic development? When was that question asked? Was it a postal ballot, because I don't think I got mine...
Reposted by Dave Andress
I accompanied my wife to Dignitas. The Lords' filibustering is an insult to all like her who have suffered | Dave Sowry
I accompanied my wife to Dignitas. The Lords' filibustering is an insult to all like her who have suffered | Dave Sowry
Christy faced months of bureaucratic trauma. For terminally ill people, the assisted dying bill must not create further obstacles, says campaigner Dave Sowry
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I accompanied my wife to Dignitas. The Lords' filibustering is an insult to all like her who have suffered | Dave Sowry
Imagine trying to put a positive spin on the 1943 Bengal Famine. Millions of deaths in a region Britain had ruled, formally and legally, for almost 180 years, for no reason other than, across those 180 years, they had never bothered to make its food-systems sustainable.
1. That the BBC has not been positive enough about the great famines in Ireland and Bengal. They don’t specify which of the Bengal famines, but assuming both that would be some 14 million deaths. Surely the BBC should have found a way of claiming them as triumphs of British rule?
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Imagine trying to put a positive spin on the 1943 Bengal Famine. Millions of deaths in a region Britain had ruled, formally and legally, for almost 180 years, for no reason other than, across those 180 years, they had never bothered to make its food-systems sustainable.
Reposted by Dave Andress
4. You see, the problem is this: History Reclaimed don’t know much about British colonialism. They’re not actually interested in it. They are a private company funded to prevent any truthful examination of the past that might challenge a right wing, white-centred version of the national story.
December 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
4. You see, the problem is this: History Reclaimed don’t know much about British colonialism. They’re not actually interested in it. They are a private company funded to prevent any truthful examination of the past that might challenge a right wing, white-centred version of the national story.
Reposted by Dave Andress
In Prachett's "Jingo", Lord Rust goes on about battles /w one of his officers politely correcting him telling him that at least one comes from a children story. Rust angrily responds w/ "Are you calling my nanny a liar?" That always comes to mind re: the Reclaimed/"Our Empire Was Glorious!" types.
Obviously the Reclaimed gabh are bath faith provocatures, but this claim in particular is hilarious from the standpoint of television n production. I am sorry - you want one (1) series that covers *every empire*? How much time and money do you have?
2. That the BBC is being misleading by making a series on the British Empire that focuses on the British Empire.
December 3, 2025 at 8:52 AM
In Prachett's "Jingo", Lord Rust goes on about battles /w one of his officers politely correcting him telling him that at least one comes from a children story. Rust angrily responds w/ "Are you calling my nanny a liar?" That always comes to mind re: the Reclaimed/"Our Empire Was Glorious!" types.
Reposted by Dave Andress
This is the first History Reclaimed attack on @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s BBC Empire series, in The Spectator. The thread on its recycled Telegraph version shows how criticisms of the representation of Mike Mountain Horse and the invasion of Ijebu are based on untruths. But else do they argue?
December 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
This is the first History Reclaimed attack on @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s BBC Empire series, in The Spectator. The thread on its recycled Telegraph version shows how criticisms of the representation of Mike Mountain Horse and the invasion of Ijebu are based on untruths. But else do they argue?
Reposted by Dave Andress
Whilst it is absolutely true that the lawfare deployed against charities in particular, but also many other businesses, is an existential threat to them, I think it is also fair for us to be furious that the choice is always "fuck them trannies" and continued existence.
A lot of people with no experience of litigation, its costs (both financially but also in organisational capacity), of charity law and what trustees are allowed to do, or of the current state of the charity commission who Have Thoughts.
I get the anger – but this shit is really hard. Designedly so.
I get the anger – but this shit is really hard. Designedly so.
December 3, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Whilst it is absolutely true that the lawfare deployed against charities in particular, but also many other businesses, is an existential threat to them, I think it is also fair for us to be furious that the choice is always "fuck them trannies" and continued existence.
Reposted by Dave Andress
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
Today, the government has confirmed that it intends to remove the right to trial by jury in the vast majority of cases in the Crown Courts. Serious criminal allegations, carrying up to three years …
thesecretbarrister.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
It's frankly appalling how some people are happy to let this slide towards a rubber-stamp judicial system go on, refusing to understand that the ONLY reason for it is savage cuts to funding, and a lack of interest or capability to restore them.
Basically, this proposes that magistrates’ decisions on matter of factual guilt will be un-appealable.
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
This does seem pretty much guaranteed, especially combined with increased use of magistrates, to risk fundamentally restricting people's rights. I am genuinely confused how it is getting so little attention, unless I have seriously missed something.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
It's frankly appalling how some people are happy to let this slide towards a rubber-stamp judicial system go on, refusing to understand that the ONLY reason for it is savage cuts to funding, and a lack of interest or capability to restore them.
Reposted by Dave Andress
Andrew Milne is clearly very disturbed. If he pitched up to my house suggesting I might be his sex slave and live in his garage I would do all I could to bring about his downfall
And the SRA appear toothless in the face of this ☹️
And the SRA appear toothless in the face of this ☹️
A solicitor, Andrew Milne has been bullying leaseholders across Sheffield into paying him extraordinary sums, with no legal basis.
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
SRA urged to take action as we reveal solicitor has ‘purposely frustrated’ investigation
Solicitor Andrew Jonathan Milne delayed an official investigation into his alleged professional misconduct by overwhelming the regulator with complaints and threatening them with two injunctions se…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Andrew Milne is clearly very disturbed. If he pitched up to my house suggesting I might be his sex slave and live in his garage I would do all I could to bring about his downfall
And the SRA appear toothless in the face of this ☹️
And the SRA appear toothless in the face of this ☹️
Reposted by Dave Andress
It's become normal now for high-level political figures to argue that an entire generation was brainwashed through fake videos into mass anti-Israel political mobilization by TikTok. Complete conspiracy thinking, rooted in zero evidence, based on nothing
Hillary Clinton blames TikTok and “totally made up” videos for young people’s views on Israel and Palestine.
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
December 3, 2025 at 4:29 AM
It's become normal now for high-level political figures to argue that an entire generation was brainwashed through fake videos into mass anti-Israel political mobilization by TikTok. Complete conspiracy thinking, rooted in zero evidence, based on nothing
Reposted by Dave Andress
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
Reposted by Dave Andress
Police inaction on sexual violence against women & girls laid bare again.
A culture of impunity for misogyny.
Almost 1 in 3 women experience rape or domestic violence.
Over 90% of perpetrators are known to victims & 1 in 2 rapists are partners or ex-partners. #r4today
A culture of impunity for misogyny.
Almost 1 in 3 women experience rape or domestic violence.
Over 90% of perpetrators are known to victims & 1 in 2 rapists are partners or ex-partners. #r4today
December 3, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Police inaction on sexual violence against women & girls laid bare again.
A culture of impunity for misogyny.
Almost 1 in 3 women experience rape or domestic violence.
Over 90% of perpetrators are known to victims & 1 in 2 rapists are partners or ex-partners. #r4today
A culture of impunity for misogyny.
Almost 1 in 3 women experience rape or domestic violence.
Over 90% of perpetrators are known to victims & 1 in 2 rapists are partners or ex-partners. #r4today
Reposted by Dave Andress
The self-regarding buffoon Rupert Lowe has set up ... Great Yarmouth First ... expecting him to declare independence from the failing heptarchy project any moment now
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rupert Lowe launches new political party for Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth First will represent needs of the town only, says founder Rupert Lowe.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
The self-regarding buffoon Rupert Lowe has set up ... Great Yarmouth First ... expecting him to declare independence from the failing heptarchy project any moment now
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dave Andress
Of course there was no progress because Witkoff & Kushner are real estate men, not diplomats. Because Russia doesn’t want peace, it wants conquest. And because when Putin says shit like this, we should believe him
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Russia ‘ready’ for war with Europe, Putin says, as US peace talks end without progress
Kremlin aide says Ukraine crisis is no closer to resolution after Witkoff talks, as Russian president accuses European powers of sabotaging peace
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Of course there was no progress because Witkoff & Kushner are real estate men, not diplomats. Because Russia doesn’t want peace, it wants conquest. And because when Putin says shit like this, we should believe him
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Dave Andress
Say what you like about the National Trust: they look after their members.
National Trust launches fundraiser to help buy land around Cerne Giant
National Trust launches fundraiser to help buy land around Cerne Giant
Deal expected to pave way for further scientific study, boost conservation and open up access to Dorset chalk figure
The mystery of when, how and – perhaps most importantly – why a giant naked figure was carved into a dizzyingly steep hillside in the English West Country has been a source of wonder and intrigue for centuries.
Future generations may come closer to solving the puzzle of the Cerne Giant after the National Trust stepped in to buy 340 acres of land around the 55-metre (180ft) figure. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Say what you like about the National Trust: they look after their members.
Reposted by Dave Andress
It’s an uneven playing field. Trans people are having their very existence debated and denied, whilst GCs beliefs are amplified and validated.
When I first stated learning about the GC movement the biggest issue for me was how Forstater’s protected belief came to trump a protected characteristic.
When I first stated learning about the GC movement the biggest issue for me was how Forstater’s protected belief came to trump a protected characteristic.
December 3, 2025 at 7:36 AM
It’s an uneven playing field. Trans people are having their very existence debated and denied, whilst GCs beliefs are amplified and validated.
When I first stated learning about the GC movement the biggest issue for me was how Forstater’s protected belief came to trump a protected characteristic.
When I first stated learning about the GC movement the biggest issue for me was how Forstater’s protected belief came to trump a protected characteristic.
Basically, this proposes that magistrates’ decisions on matter of factual guilt will be un-appealable.
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
This does seem pretty much guaranteed, especially combined with increased use of magistrates, to risk fundamentally restricting people's rights. I am genuinely confused how it is getting so little attention, unless I have seriously missed something.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
December 3, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Basically, this proposes that magistrates’ decisions on matter of factual guilt will be un-appealable.
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
So the vast majority of criminal convictions will result from unchallengeable panels of semi-professionals…
Someone just replied to this with a table of figures for economic growth under Stalin.
Economic growth, under the guy who executed the guy who executed the guy who had millions of people shot, starved and banished… on the first guy’s orders.
Economic growth, under the guy who executed the guy who executed the guy who had millions of people shot, starved and banished… on the first guy’s orders.
TFW it's just laid out plainly that Zarah Sultana wants to create a Soviet-style command economy, & you realise nothing their ideological enemies could claim about them could be as bad as the reality.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
December 3, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Someone just replied to this with a table of figures for economic growth under Stalin.
Economic growth, under the guy who executed the guy who executed the guy who had millions of people shot, starved and banished… on the first guy’s orders.
Economic growth, under the guy who executed the guy who executed the guy who had millions of people shot, starved and banished… on the first guy’s orders.
And everywhere else is different?
America is a country that will test UBI hundreds of times, get the same radically positive results each time, and still look at it askance, but will also put untested robotaxis on the road because a billionaire threw a shit fit.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
December 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
And everywhere else is different?
Reposted by Dave Andress
Apropos that OU scandal, something fun about working in Higher Ed. is that students can’t always get what they want, and this sometimes results in others treating you like you’re the asshole for doing the job you were hired for.
December 3, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Apropos that OU scandal, something fun about working in Higher Ed. is that students can’t always get what they want, and this sometimes results in others treating you like you’re the asshole for doing the job you were hired for.
Reposted by Dave Andress
I once talked to a student who self-described as having a "mild" ADHD diagnosis about why they hadn't sought accommodations. The literal first thing that they said was "I'm not ADHD enough to need them," which was something that I've kept in mind as I listen to this "discourse" about accommodations.
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I once talked to a student who self-described as having a "mild" ADHD diagnosis about why they hadn't sought accommodations. The literal first thing that they said was "I'm not ADHD enough to need them," which was something that I've kept in mind as I listen to this "discourse" about accommodations.