There are still an awful lot of politicians and pundits who seem to think it reflects real people's views. A lot of UK Labour decisions seem informed that way.

...lots of memories of pubs...

Another time there was a much bigger bang, and we were evacuated due to a gas explosion in a flat in Westland Row. (I actually lived in Dublin a relatively short time, but somehow have lots of memories.)

Lincoln Place/Westland Row. Kennedy's.

I've never read Octavia Butler, but I impulse bought "Parable of the Sower" yesterday, and am looking forward (even more now) to reading it

They want to make it out that he’s being persecuted for his religious beliefs when he is in fact being disciplined for behaving like a maniac and disrupting the school; and subsequently refusing to obey court orders to stay away from the school.

This particularly brazen quote from PI’s pitch was a bracing jump scare:

“We will pressure politicians via the media. Sometimes this will be at their request.”