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jane fae

@janefae.bsky.social

3.3K followers 290 following 1.2K posts

Elf Princess: feminist, journalist, campaigner on political and sexual liberty: also IT, law and policing. Content may contain spoof! She/her. Also fae/faer

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jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 5h

Despite popular belief, the praetorian guard did not put down Nero. He took his own life while loudly complaining "Qualis artifex pereo!"

("What an artist dies in me!").

For starmer?

"Qualis nequius pereo!"

Or, subtler and one for the classicists:

"Qualis artifaex pereo!"

(Too subtle?)

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 5h

The Praetorians were instrumental in removing at least a dozen emperors; influential wrt many more.

Victims included Caligula and Commodus, whose rule is widely considered to marks the end of an era of Roman prosperity and affluence.

(I'm saying nuffink!)

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 5h

Though given the difficulty that the Labour party appears to have when it comes to defenestrating unpopular leaders, perhaps a useful function!

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 5h

Somebody does not know their history.

Initially established as a sort of personal Imperial bodyguard, the praetorians rapidly became a major player in determining who was to be emperor.

It was corrupt, venal and responsible for putting more than one emperor to death.

@wmarybeard.bsky.social

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

But free speech...

bsky.app/profile/jane...

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

I do believe this is what is known as performative liberalism.

The guy actually hasn't a clue, but thinks uttering phrases like "free speech for all," sounds good...

While simultaneously backing a party that has banned the words "palestine" and "action" when juxtaposed on a placard

Mo T 🌹 @mot62.bsky.social · 10h

To answer your questions
1. No I am 63 retired, lol
2. I am not helping him. I am standing for freedom of speech for all, including those who I disagree with.
3. The rise of fascism is my main motive to stand for freedom of speech now.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Oh, wait: didn't he do that already?

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Also, a party that has spent the last 10 years rooting out anti-semitic sentiment.

Like, i have no issue with doing that.

But you'd think a free speech warrior might be out there defending the rights of naxis to say what they like...

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

I do believe this is what is known as performative liberalism.

The guy actually hasn't a clue, but thinks uttering phrases like "free speech for all," sounds good...

While simultaneously backing a party that has banned the words "palestine" and "action" when juxtaposed on a placard

Mo T 🌹 @mot62.bsky.social · 10h

To answer your questions
1. No I am 63 retired, lol
2. I am not helping him. I am standing for freedom of speech for all, including those who I disagree with.
3. The rise of fascism is my main motive to stand for freedom of speech now.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Xactly. Though, as someone who was in Liverpool campaigning in the 70s, when all power was in the hands of an essentially corrupt Labour regime, it does not surprise me.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

He does not give a fig for free speech.

Look to see when he stirs himself to call it out as an issue.

Whats that?

When a bigot and transphobe incites violence against trans people.

Suspect he'd be less quick if folks started arguing for the execution of his Dear Leader.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

No you're not. You are Reform in disguise: a pale pink authoritarianism and, with any luck, the last time your vile party gets its grubby paws anywhere near the levers of power.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

I mean, face it. Would YOU have condescending to say ANYTHING about this death had someone not had a go at linehan?

Nah. Says more about you and your abusive party than you could ever realise.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

And if the only/main reports are op eds defending the right of an obsessive bigot to dance on the kid's grave, then that is not free speech.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Like your abusive health minister, simpering over protecting women, the same day his department is found guilty of killing a trans kid.

Where are the reports of that death?

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Bollocks. Like most of the labour frontbench, you are very selective in your defence of free speech.

Putting the rhetorical boot into trans people, good.

Allowing trans folks the right to reply, bad.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Also in play... and I've even had this from the BBC... is their determination to fit the interviewee to the stereotype.

On several occasions, for instance, demanding i field a trans woman over a better qualified trans guy.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 9h

Up to a point.

But i have a long list of folks who ARE prepared to talk knowledgeably about specific topics... and am frequently disgusted by the amateur approach of supposedly respectable orgs like the BBC, who just reach for the familiar/the first person who picks up the phone.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

I could not possibly comment, but...

...if i had to criticise, it would be for the failure to apply a bike chain to the front of the building!

😹😹😹

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Indeed. Both Ulfric and next door cat are nowadays great wildlife watchers.

No doubt sat there remembering the glory days gone by when they were great hunters!

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Or as Daphne might put it: "Mmmm. Little crunchy-snack!"

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Depends where you stick Labour...

(answers on a postcard, please).

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

It is confused.

But broadly, yes.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Elsewhere there is a LONG history of socialist movements persecuting LGBT folks. In part a reflection of male fragility.

Socialist movements exist to support the working bloke. Working blokes are not known for being socially progressive.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Castro was long opposed to LGBTQ rights...only shifted when the rest of the world moved.

jane fae @janefae.bsky.social · 1d

Bear in mind, also, that historically, a lot of left-wing movements have been anti-LGBTQ.

Lenin argued the struggle for LGB rights was "bourgeois distraction," and while it was decriminalised alongside most of the rest of Tsarist laws after the revolution, it was recriminalised in 1933.