Ian Betteridge
@ianbetteridge.com
He of the eponymous law. FRSA. Good at writing and sums. Degrowther, and not a fan of capitalism. Your pal. The Eye of Sauron, but for headlines. Made by socialism and immigration, which seems to annoy people. Come for the headlines, stay for the Gramsci.
Pinned
Ian Betteridge
@ianbetteridge.com
· Dec 15
People have a right to speak. They don’t have a right for anyone else to have to listen. That’s why block lists etc exist. I don’t give people the benefit of assuming good faith in the same way I wouldn’t if someone followed me down the street demanding I debate them. I’d call the cops, to be honest
Pinning this one to my profile for the hard for reading.
You know, California might just be up for it.
More than 200,000 Danish citizens have signed a petition to buy California as a response to Trump’s attempt to take Greenland.
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
January 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
You know, California might just be up for it.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
the irish: great lads, friendiest place on earth even if you're their mortal enemy
the irish who move to america: some of the most truly cursed bootlickers you'll ever find
the irish who move to america: some of the most truly cursed bootlickers you'll ever find
Well buckle up, slaphead: it's minus 17 degrees in Greenland.
January 17, 2026 at 8:14 PM
the irish: great lads, friendiest place on earth even if you're their mortal enemy
the irish who move to america: some of the most truly cursed bootlickers you'll ever find
the irish who move to america: some of the most truly cursed bootlickers you'll ever find
Same way Brexit went.
January 17, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Same way Brexit went.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
I can't repeat this enough.
I've said this before and I'll say it again.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
January 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
January 17, 2026 at 6:51 PM
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
Putin couldn't wish for a better US president than Trump if he paid for one.
Hmm.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Hmm.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Donald Trump says eight European countries face 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland – Europe live
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland will face tariffs from 1 February
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Putin couldn't wish for a better US president than Trump if he paid for one.
Hmm.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Hmm.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
for context here, you also have to remember that Canadian-Chinese relations *cratered* in the last few years as a result of Beijing's hostage diplomacy. That the Canadians now have more trust in China than the United States is quite an achievement by Trump.
Okay this is way bigger than the article below suggested.
"The Prime Minister welcomed President Xi’s commitment to introducing visa-free access for Canadians travelling to China."
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news...
"The Prime Minister welcomed President Xi’s commitment to introducing visa-free access for Canadians travelling to China."
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news...
January 16, 2026 at 2:56 PM
for context here, you also have to remember that Canadian-Chinese relations *cratered* in the last few years as a result of Beijing's hostage diplomacy. That the Canadians now have more trust in China than the United States is quite an achievement by Trump.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
I especially love that this is more or less directly quoting Matthew 7:9-11 and I guarantee a bunch of "Christian" racists read it and were like "Pish. My word, what drivel."
January 17, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I especially love that this is more or less directly quoting Matthew 7:9-11 and I guarantee a bunch of "Christian" racists read it and were like "Pish. My word, what drivel."
"IT IS NOW APPARENT THAT THE IMPERIALIST HAS NO SYMPATHY FOR ANYRODY BUT HIMSELF!"
Words from yesterday, words for today.
I highly recommend going to the "Nigerian Modernism" show at Tate Modern
Words from yesterday, words for today.
I highly recommend going to the "Nigerian Modernism" show at Tate Modern
January 17, 2026 at 2:35 PM
"IT IS NOW APPARENT THAT THE IMPERIALIST HAS NO SYMPATHY FOR ANYRODY BUT HIMSELF!"
Words from yesterday, words for today.
I highly recommend going to the "Nigerian Modernism" show at Tate Modern
Words from yesterday, words for today.
I highly recommend going to the "Nigerian Modernism" show at Tate Modern
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
I have the typewriter one above my desk. Looks great!
Gail’s prints are striking and brilliant. Treat yourself
Gail’s prints are striking and brilliant. Treat yourself
There’s 20% off all my unframed prints with code GAILSALE
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/prints
Ends 18 January
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/prints
Ends 18 January
January 17, 2026 at 10:22 AM
I have the typewriter one above my desk. Looks great!
Gail’s prints are striking and brilliant. Treat yourself
Gail’s prints are striking and brilliant. Treat yourself
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
This is insanity. They are being investigated for *making statements* critical of ICE.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
January 17, 2026 at 3:50 AM
This is insanity. They are being investigated for *making statements* critical of ICE.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
OTD in 1945, Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved 15,000 Jews in WW2, was kidnapped by the Soviet NKVD who took him to Moscow & killed him.
Cos we're the real anti-fascists
Cos we're the real anti-fascists
January 17, 2026 at 9:12 AM
OTD in 1945, Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved 15,000 Jews in WW2, was kidnapped by the Soviet NKVD who took him to Moscow & killed him.
Cos we're the real anti-fascists
Cos we're the real anti-fascists
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
It will not surprise you to learn that Toby Youngs 'Free Speech Union' has obtained a High Court injunction banning the publication of a list of its donors open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Who funds the Free Speech Union?
Toby Young’s outfit went to court to hide its donors. Today we reveal that funders include US anti-abortion groups, Brexit politicians and Tufton Street insiders.
open.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:45 AM
It will not surprise you to learn that Toby Youngs 'Free Speech Union' has obtained a High Court injunction banning the publication of a list of its donors open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
We really need to rename this guy before something bad happens to the other Jonathan Ross.
Also, Jonathon Ross *was* an ICE trainer for a decade.
It's not just "give ICE more money" but specifically, literally "pay Jonathon Ross more money and give him more people to train to shoot mothers in the face"
It's not just "give ICE more money" but specifically, literally "pay Jonathon Ross more money and give him more people to train to shoot mothers in the face"
Make no mistake: "Give ICE better training" = Give ICE more money
When politicians tell you shit like that, they're literally ignoring everything that's happening and arguing that ICE should get MORE money.
They've already done it for half a century with the cops.
When politicians tell you shit like that, they're literally ignoring everything that's happening and arguing that ICE should get MORE money.
They've already done it for half a century with the cops.
January 17, 2026 at 9:43 AM
We really need to rename this guy before something bad happens to the other Jonathan Ross.
Yeah but no but no but no
January 16, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Yeah but no but no but no
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Farage warned just now against “a worrying extreme left wing voice in this country."
Hmmm.
This from a climate denying, Trump loving, NHS selling corporate stooge who’s been a genuine threat to Britain for decades.
Hmmm.
This from a climate denying, Trump loving, NHS selling corporate stooge who’s been a genuine threat to Britain for decades.
January 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Farage warned just now against “a worrying extreme left wing voice in this country."
Hmmm.
This from a climate denying, Trump loving, NHS selling corporate stooge who’s been a genuine threat to Britain for decades.
Hmmm.
This from a climate denying, Trump loving, NHS selling corporate stooge who’s been a genuine threat to Britain for decades.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
If the Conservative party were in government and if Farage was genuinely in reach of Downing Street then this would all be significant.
As it is, he's scooping up failures and sacked MPs and in the process undermining his entire USP.
It's actually spectacularly stupid.
As it is, he's scooping up failures and sacked MPs and in the process undermining his entire USP.
It's actually spectacularly stupid.
January 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM
If the Conservative party were in government and if Farage was genuinely in reach of Downing Street then this would all be significant.
As it is, he's scooping up failures and sacked MPs and in the process undermining his entire USP.
It's actually spectacularly stupid.
As it is, he's scooping up failures and sacked MPs and in the process undermining his entire USP.
It's actually spectacularly stupid.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Today Trump has expressly threatened invoking the Insurrection Act and is reported as saying there is no need for the mid-terms.
But of course he is only joking.
But of course he is only joking.
January 15, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Today Trump has expressly threatened invoking the Insurrection Act and is reported as saying there is no need for the mid-terms.
But of course he is only joking.
But of course he is only joking.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Keep watching - Trump and his circle almost have their precious goal: invoking the Insurrection Act.
As per said before: a great deal of what is being done is simply Trump and his circle working backwards from this objective.
As per said before: a great deal of what is being done is simply Trump and his circle working backwards from this objective.
January 15, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Keep watching - Trump and his circle almost have their precious goal: invoking the Insurrection Act.
As per said before: a great deal of what is being done is simply Trump and his circle working backwards from this objective.
As per said before: a great deal of what is being done is simply Trump and his circle working backwards from this objective.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Incredibly, no-one on Nigel Farage’s team has got round to deleting this post. It’s still live as Robert Jenrick gives his big defection speech.
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Incredibly, no-one on Nigel Farage’s team has got round to deleting this post. It’s still live as Robert Jenrick gives his big defection speech.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Jenrick saying he's "put aside personal ambition" too join Reform is the single most shameless statement I've ever heard.
If he "put aside personal ambition" he'd disappear. That's all there is.
If he "put aside personal ambition" he'd disappear. That's all there is.
January 15, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Jenrick saying he's "put aside personal ambition" too join Reform is the single most shameless statement I've ever heard.
If he "put aside personal ambition" he'd disappear. That's all there is.
If he "put aside personal ambition" he'd disappear. That's all there is.
Reposted by Ian Betteridge
Because Trump wants them in Minnesota?
The Pentagon is moving some troops out of an important air base in the Middle East as a precaution as tensions mount with Iran
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
U.S. Moves Some Personnel From Key Air Base as Tensions Mount With Iran
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Because Trump wants them in Minnesota?
He’s so full of shit
⁉️ Trump: Ukraine less ready to strike peace deal than Putin
Trump: Ukraine less ready to strike peace deal than Putin
US President Donald Trump has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rather than Russian leader Vladimir Putin, is slowing down a potential peace deal.
www.pravda.com.ua
January 15, 2026 at 7:18 AM
He’s so full of shit
Reform it? Never mind ICE, they’re going to have to denazify the whole country.
These dumb assholes are going to fumble the easiest bag once again.
SCOOP: A new memo circulating on Capitol Hill urges Democratic lawmakers to instead embrace reforming the agency. New from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4bzT7kh
January 15, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Reform it? Never mind ICE, they’re going to have to denazify the whole country.