Pat Brady
@workplacesols.bsky.social
Dispute Resolver,
Statutory Adjudicator & Arbitrator,
Mediator.
Pianist!
Once shook hands with Pele.
Musings on the workplace, justice, ADR & sport, 🏉🏏.
☘️ Dublin & Gorey, Ireland
❤️ in Fermanagh.
Tá Gaeilge agam.
Usual disclaimers.
Statutory Adjudicator & Arbitrator,
Mediator.
Pianist!
Once shook hands with Pele.
Musings on the workplace, justice, ADR & sport, 🏉🏏.
☘️ Dublin & Gorey, Ireland
❤️ in Fermanagh.
Tá Gaeilge agam.
Usual disclaimers.
The problem with the US obsession with free speech is that they don’t believe in it. The problem with their warning that Europe faces “civilisational erasure” is that it is the US that faces civilisational erasure, or what the world assumed the US to be.’
December 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The problem with the US obsession with free speech is that they don’t believe in it. The problem with their warning that Europe faces “civilisational erasure” is that it is the US that faces civilisational erasure, or what the world assumed the US to be.’
The US establishment offers ‘thoughts & prayers’ in response to episodes of mass murder, Australia takes action & announces tougher hate speech laws in wake of Bondi terror attack.
www.irishtimes.com/world/austra...
www.irishtimes.com/world/austra...
Australia announces tougher hate speech laws in wake of Bondi terror attack
Police conduct further searches in the aftermath of the gun attack on a Jewish celebration
www.irishtimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
The US establishment offers ‘thoughts & prayers’ in response to episodes of mass murder, Australia takes action & announces tougher hate speech laws in wake of Bondi terror attack.
www.irishtimes.com/world/austra...
www.irishtimes.com/world/austra...
‘This was not an address by a self-confident man dishing out Christmas presents to the nation. It smacked of desperation from one who can feel the December windchill of opinion polls, one showed just 33% of US adults approve of how Trump has handled the economy.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s ‘Bah! Humbug!’ address suggests he is feeling the chill of opinion polls
Primetime speech – delivered with shouty spirit but no cheer – betrayed a figure dogged by a cost of living crisis and the looming release of the Epstein files
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
‘This was not an address by a self-confident man dishing out Christmas presents to the nation. It smacked of desperation from one who can feel the December windchill of opinion polls, one showed just 33% of US adults approve of how Trump has handled the economy.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Pat Brady
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
Attention grabbing headline on employment law site.
‘Jumping out of a window in home office due to an exploding e-scooter battery is not an insured accident at work’
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
‘Jumping out of a window in home office due to an exploding e-scooter battery is not an insured accident at work’
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Jumping out of a window in home office due to an exploding e-scooter battery is not an insured accident at work
While a Berlin-based software developer was holding a conference call in his apartment on the first floor of an apartment building, which he used as…
www.lexology.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Attention grabbing headline on employment law site.
‘Jumping out of a window in home office due to an exploding e-scooter battery is not an insured accident at work’
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
‘Jumping out of a window in home office due to an exploding e-scooter battery is not an insured accident at work’
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Reposted by Pat Brady
Learned today that “Galápagos” comes from a Spanish word for tortoise, meaning that “Galápagos Tortoise” is,
in fact,
a tortology
in fact,
a tortology
December 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Learned today that “Galápagos” comes from a Spanish word for tortoise, meaning that “Galápagos Tortoise” is,
in fact,
a tortology
in fact,
a tortology
Reposted by Pat Brady
Equal pay win! 🎉
Thousands of women will today receive news of their payouts after a five year legal battle.
‘This marks a turning point for hundreds of low-paid women who have waited far too long for justice and equal pay’ said UNISON
unsn.uk/4aavka1
Thousands of women will today receive news of their payouts after a five year legal battle.
‘This marks a turning point for hundreds of low-paid women who have waited far too long for justice and equal pay’ said UNISON
unsn.uk/4aavka1
Equality fight ends for 6,000 Birmingham council staff in massive £250m pay out
Thousands of women will today receive news of their payouts after a five year legal battle against Birmingham City Council
unsn.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Equal pay win! 🎉
Thousands of women will today receive news of their payouts after a five year legal battle.
‘This marks a turning point for hundreds of low-paid women who have waited far too long for justice and equal pay’ said UNISON
unsn.uk/4aavka1
Thousands of women will today receive news of their payouts after a five year legal battle.
‘This marks a turning point for hundreds of low-paid women who have waited far too long for justice and equal pay’ said UNISON
unsn.uk/4aavka1
‘A paranoid Maga worldview is behind the horrors of US immigration, policing & other policies under Trump, and has driven an effort to erase Black experience and representation.
Now, those fears are Washington’s prism for understanding Europe.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Now, those fears are Washington’s prism for understanding Europe.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New Trump doctrine identifies ‘weak’ Europe’s problem: not enough racism
A new US national security strategy represents one of the most profound crises for the Atlantic alliance since 1945
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
‘A paranoid Maga worldview is behind the horrors of US immigration, policing & other policies under Trump, and has driven an effort to erase Black experience and representation.
Now, those fears are Washington’s prism for understanding Europe.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Now, those fears are Washington’s prism for understanding Europe.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Pat Brady
ICMY, the full 2025 Seamus Heaney Lecture, given by Sir Simon Schama on the topic of ‘Politics and the Poet’ and featuring poetry readings by Leanne Best, is now up at youtu.be/KtQVa_H0hEA.
Read more about the lecture @livuninews.bsky.social: news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/11/25/i...
Read more about the lecture @livuninews.bsky.social: news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/11/25/i...
Annual Seamus Heaney Lecture (2025) - Sir Simon Schama - Leanne Best
YouTube video by Institute of Irish Studies, Liverpool
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 12:13 PM
ICMY, the full 2025 Seamus Heaney Lecture, given by Sir Simon Schama on the topic of ‘Politics and the Poet’ and featuring poetry readings by Leanne Best, is now up at youtu.be/KtQVa_H0hEA.
Read more about the lecture @livuninews.bsky.social: news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/11/25/i...
Read more about the lecture @livuninews.bsky.social: news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/11/25/i...
‘We must confront & resist the capture of Christian language & symbols by populist forces seeking to exploit the faith for their own political ends.’
Rev Arun Arora,
Bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead bishop on racial justice for the Church of England.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Rev Arun Arora,
Bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead bishop on racial justice for the Church of England.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
C of E to challenge Tommy Robinson ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message
Church leaders respond to far-right appropriation of Christian symbols with ‘Outsiders welcome’ message
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:21 AM
‘We must confront & resist the capture of Christian language & symbols by populist forces seeking to exploit the faith for their own political ends.’
Rev Arun Arora,
Bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead bishop on racial justice for the Church of England.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Rev Arun Arora,
Bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead bishop on racial justice for the Church of England.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Pat Brady
What evidence is there that uplands like this were once covered by temperate rainforest, and would return to such a state naturally but for sheep?
Loads... 🧵
Loads... 🧵
December 6, 2025 at 6:26 AM
What evidence is there that uplands like this were once covered by temperate rainforest, and would return to such a state naturally but for sheep?
Loads... 🧵
Loads... 🧵
If [Irish] unification is to happen, NI must first deal with the serious economic & social failings under its control. Given the financial cost to RoI, they may baulk at paying to subsidise NI inefficiencies in admin, or education that delivers poor outcomes.’
www.irishtimes.com/business/eco...
www.irishtimes.com/business/eco...
John FitzGerald: The North must deal with its economic and social failings before unity
While many Northern nationalists see unification as a solution to poor governance, that is a fallacy
www.irishtimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
If [Irish] unification is to happen, NI must first deal with the serious economic & social failings under its control. Given the financial cost to RoI, they may baulk at paying to subsidise NI inefficiencies in admin, or education that delivers poor outcomes.’
www.irishtimes.com/business/eco...
www.irishtimes.com/business/eco...
‘Ireland, Spain, Slovenia & the Netherlands will boycott next year’s Eurovision after Israel was given the all-clear to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls by several participating broadcasters for its exclusion over the war in Gaza.’
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands pull out after decision not to hold vote on Israel’s participation
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:37 AM
‘Ireland, Spain, Slovenia & the Netherlands will boycott next year’s Eurovision after Israel was given the all-clear to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls by several participating broadcasters for its exclusion over the war in Gaza.’
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Reposted by Pat Brady
Harry Enten: "The GOP should be running for the hills, as the blue wave is building.
Tuesday's result in TN-07 is part of a larger pattern of Dems outrunning Harris 2024 in 6 specials by 13+ pts.
5 of 5 times since 2005 the party that outperforms in specials ahead of midterms win the House."
Tuesday's result in TN-07 is part of a larger pattern of Dems outrunning Harris 2024 in 6 specials by 13+ pts.
5 of 5 times since 2005 the party that outperforms in specials ahead of midterms win the House."
December 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Harry Enten: "The GOP should be running for the hills, as the blue wave is building.
Tuesday's result in TN-07 is part of a larger pattern of Dems outrunning Harris 2024 in 6 specials by 13+ pts.
5 of 5 times since 2005 the party that outperforms in specials ahead of midterms win the House."
Tuesday's result in TN-07 is part of a larger pattern of Dems outrunning Harris 2024 in 6 specials by 13+ pts.
5 of 5 times since 2005 the party that outperforms in specials ahead of midterms win the House."
‘Rage bait’; more on X than here but…
“Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive, typically posted to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular webpage or social media content”.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
“Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive, typically posted to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular webpage or social media content”.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
‘Rage bait’ named word of the year by Oxford University Press
Existence of phrase – to describe content intended to make you angry – shows people are aware of manipulation tactics used online, says Oxford Dictionary publisher
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
‘Rage bait’; more on X than here but…
“Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive, typically posted to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular webpage or social media content”.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
“Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive, typically posted to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular webpage or social media content”.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
Reposted by Pat Brady
“Over nine months, Sky News’ Data and Forensics team investigated whether X’s algorithms amplify right-wing and extreme content.
Their findings were clear: Elon Musk’s X is boosting right-wing and extreme content, as well as politicians Musk favours.”
Their findings were clear: Elon Musk’s X is boosting right-wing and extreme content, as well as politicians Musk favours.”
The X Effect and the dangers of social media bias
Sky News' investigation The X Effect has exposed a right-wing bias in X's algorithm, which boosts extreme content over left-wing voices
centralbylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
“Over nine months, Sky News’ Data and Forensics team investigated whether X’s algorithms amplify right-wing and extreme content.
Their findings were clear: Elon Musk’s X is boosting right-wing and extreme content, as well as politicians Musk favours.”
Their findings were clear: Elon Musk’s X is boosting right-wing and extreme content, as well as politicians Musk favours.”
‘The appearance that Trump’s favour can be bought seems to be remaking international relations. During the Gaza summit, a hot mic caught Indonesia’s president speaking to him, seemingly about family business interests.
“Can I meet Eric?”
“I’ll have Eric call,”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
“Can I meet Eric?”
“I’ll have Eric call,”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches
From Vietnam to the Balkans, Donald Trump’s family has launched a global dealmaking blitz since his re-election
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
‘The appearance that Trump’s favour can be bought seems to be remaking international relations. During the Gaza summit, a hot mic caught Indonesia’s president speaking to him, seemingly about family business interests.
“Can I meet Eric?”
“I’ll have Eric call,”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
“Can I meet Eric?”
“I’ll have Eric call,”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
‘Trump and Witkoff showed stunning amateurism in their intention to replicate the formula they had used in Gaza, as if ending wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe were as simple as developing beach resorts.’
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Lara Marlowe: Trump’s cynical, disgraceful ‘peace plan’ gave Putin exactly what he wants
In a normal country, Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff would be tried for treason for the way they capitulated to Kremlin demands
www.irishtimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
‘Trump and Witkoff showed stunning amateurism in their intention to replicate the formula they had used in Gaza, as if ending wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe were as simple as developing beach resorts.’
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Soccer. Ronaldo.
‘There will always be people who don’t buy into the idea that integrity matters [&] those for whom cheating your way to success, whatever success means, will be fine. The challenge is to make their lives harder & to call them out. That most definitely needs to be done with FIFA.’
‘There will always be people who don’t buy into the idea that integrity matters [&] those for whom cheating your way to success, whatever success means, will be fine. The challenge is to make their lives harder & to call them out. That most definitely needs to be done with FIFA.’
"It is (yet another) example of FIFA, football’s world governing body, bending previous practice to suit its own needs and thereby behaving without anything that could be understood as integrity."
Ronaldo, FIFA and the Challenge of Integrity
Dan Hough On 25 November 2025 FIFA decided that one of football’s global superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo, would indeed be allowed to play in all of his country’s games at the 2026 World Cup finals. T…
lawpoliticsandsociology.wordpress.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Soccer. Ronaldo.
‘There will always be people who don’t buy into the idea that integrity matters [&] those for whom cheating your way to success, whatever success means, will be fine. The challenge is to make their lives harder & to call them out. That most definitely needs to be done with FIFA.’
‘There will always be people who don’t buy into the idea that integrity matters [&] those for whom cheating your way to success, whatever success means, will be fine. The challenge is to make their lives harder & to call them out. That most definitely needs to be done with FIFA.’
‘UK gov’t decision to introduce right to unfair dismissal after 6 months service instead [of from day 1] being described as ‘complete betrayal’.
Other day-1 rights to paternity leave & sick pay are due to go ahead, wef April 2026’.
Still a big improvement.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Other day-1 rights to paternity leave & sick pay are due to go ahead, wef April 2026’.
Still a big improvement.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour MPs attack Starmer U-turn over workers’ rights as ‘complete betrayal’
Former minister says ditching plan for day-one protection against unfair dismissal ‘definitely is a manifesto breach’
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
‘UK gov’t decision to introduce right to unfair dismissal after 6 months service instead [of from day 1] being described as ‘complete betrayal’.
Other day-1 rights to paternity leave & sick pay are due to go ahead, wef April 2026’.
Still a big improvement.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Other day-1 rights to paternity leave & sick pay are due to go ahead, wef April 2026’.
Still a big improvement.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘US senators say they were told by Rubio that the [Ukraine peace] plan is in fact not a US proposal & did not reflect Washington’s official position, but is a Russian plan leaked by Moscow that the US had agreed to pass to Ukraine for consideration’.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Polish PM says it would be ‘good to know’ who wrote plan to end war in Ukraine, amid concerns over Moscow involvement – live
Zelenskyy says ‘we must do everything’ against ‘wicked Russian attacks’ as Ukraine and US meet for emergency talks
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
‘US senators say they were told by Rubio that the [Ukraine peace] plan is in fact not a US proposal & did not reflect Washington’s official position, but is a Russian plan leaked by Moscow that the US had agreed to pass to Ukraine for consideration’.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Pat Brady
With his ultimatum that Ukraine surrender to Russia, Trump finally wins a prize:
The Neville Chamberlain award for betraying peace, freedom, and justice.
The Neville Chamberlain award for betraying peace, freedom, and justice.
November 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
With his ultimatum that Ukraine surrender to Russia, Trump finally wins a prize:
The Neville Chamberlain award for betraying peace, freedom, and justice.
The Neville Chamberlain award for betraying peace, freedom, and justice.
‘It’s hard to know whether to laugh or panic. The US 28-point peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine is so poorly put together, so vague, unbalanced & impractical that, in a more normal world, it would never have seen the light of day.’
economist.com/leaders/2025...
economist.com/leaders/2025...
Donald Trump’s peace plan would be bad for Ukraine, Europe and America
It is a sad mix of naked opportunism and strategic myopia
economist.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
‘It’s hard to know whether to laugh or panic. The US 28-point peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine is so poorly put together, so vague, unbalanced & impractical that, in a more normal world, it would never have seen the light of day.’
economist.com/leaders/2025...
economist.com/leaders/2025...
‘Consumption of ultra-processed foods is reshaping diets, displacing fresh & minimally processed foods & meals.
It is fuelled by powerful corporations who generate huge profits through extensive marketing & lobbying to stop effective public health policies.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
It is fuelled by powerful corporations who generate huge profits through extensive marketing & lobbying to stop effective public health policies.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds
World’s largest scientific review warns consumption of UPFs poses seismic threat to global health and wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:39 AM
‘Consumption of ultra-processed foods is reshaping diets, displacing fresh & minimally processed foods & meals.
It is fuelled by powerful corporations who generate huge profits through extensive marketing & lobbying to stop effective public health policies.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
It is fuelled by powerful corporations who generate huge profits through extensive marketing & lobbying to stop effective public health policies.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Hell hath no fury….
“Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Green is a disgrace to our GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY!” Trump fumed on social media, a day after ending his support for Greene, calling her “Wacky Marjorie” & saying he would endorse a challenger against her in the midterms’.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Green is a disgrace to our GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY!” Trump fumed on social media, a day after ending his support for Greene, calling her “Wacky Marjorie” & saying he would endorse a challenger against her in the midterms’.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s had ‘warnings for my safety’ after posts by Trump
One-time Maga loyalist diverges with Trump on issues including Epstein, so US president has withdrawn support
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Hell hath no fury….
“Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Green is a disgrace to our GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY!” Trump fumed on social media, a day after ending his support for Greene, calling her “Wacky Marjorie” & saying he would endorse a challenger against her in the midterms’.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Green is a disgrace to our GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY!” Trump fumed on social media, a day after ending his support for Greene, calling her “Wacky Marjorie” & saying he would endorse a challenger against her in the midterms’.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...