David Foster
@jckspk.bsky.social
Grandfather, pedestrian … but that’s enough about me ….
Doubt is normal; expressing doubt, as doubt, is intelligent; ignoring doubt and ploughing ahead with uninformed opinion is just nuts.
December 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Doubt is normal; expressing doubt, as doubt, is intelligent; ignoring doubt and ploughing ahead with uninformed opinion is just nuts.
Also, the number of teachers should always be set against the number of student places in schools if we are going to compare the situation year by year.
December 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Also, the number of teachers should always be set against the number of student places in schools if we are going to compare the situation year by year.
We'll just have to say "no thank you" and walk away. It's the British thing to do.
December 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
We'll just have to say "no thank you" and walk away. It's the British thing to do.
The unintended consequences of using a policy sledgehammer to crack a nut. Cohesion and consent requires confidence in citizenship status; undermine that confidence and you create a political tinderbox. 'Undesirable' doesn't work as a qualifier in law; so don't try to use it.
December 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The unintended consequences of using a policy sledgehammer to crack a nut. Cohesion and consent requires confidence in citizenship status; undermine that confidence and you create a political tinderbox. 'Undesirable' doesn't work as a qualifier in law; so don't try to use it.
Not least of which is to raise the level of awareness of citizens of what could be required of them, as individuals.
December 11, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Not least of which is to raise the level of awareness of citizens of what could be required of them, as individuals.
It's a leadership task for sure. But also, "there are many of us and they are few", we all have a role in speaking up and acting up to sustain our values. As you do.
December 11, 2025 at 10:17 AM
It's a leadership task for sure. But also, "there are many of us and they are few", we all have a role in speaking up and acting up to sustain our values. As you do.
'... and in late breaking news'
December 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
'... and in late breaking news'
Needs a comma, or two.
December 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Needs a comma, or two.
Concur. Boys play (outdoors in the street) in the 1950's (I was one) did involve a lot of 'soldiering' (and cowboys, by the way). Fuelled by comics and toys. I don't remember any mention of Nazis or Hitler - just Germans. Who were not really the bad guys to us at the time - just the 'other' side.
December 10, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Concur. Boys play (outdoors in the street) in the 1950's (I was one) did involve a lot of 'soldiering' (and cowboys, by the way). Fuelled by comics and toys. I don't remember any mention of Nazis or Hitler - just Germans. Who were not really the bad guys to us at the time - just the 'other' side.
Yes, it depends on the December, and the coat.
December 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Yes, it depends on the December, and the coat.
There's enough uncertainty in train times already.
December 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
There's enough uncertainty in train times already.
Any discussion of 'national service' needs to remember that when it comes to an existential crisis for a state everyone will inevitably be involved in the fighting to some degree. Training a cohort of young volunteers now cannot be allowed to distract us from the reality of what we might need to do.
December 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Any discussion of 'national service' needs to remember that when it comes to an existential crisis for a state everyone will inevitably be involved in the fighting to some degree. Training a cohort of young volunteers now cannot be allowed to distract us from the reality of what we might need to do.
I don't believe; but at least I know it is about a brown bloke called Joshua who was well educated in Judaism and liked all sorts of people.
December 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I don't believe; but at least I know it is about a brown bloke called Joshua who was well educated in Judaism and liked all sorts of people.
It doesn't have to be comprehensive, but it would have the most impact if interdependencies were shown as well as dependencies. People use the term supply chain loosely - there are no such things - they are an abstraction from complex supply networks, which include most people and most things.
December 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It doesn't have to be comprehensive, but it would have the most impact if interdependencies were shown as well as dependencies. People use the term supply chain loosely - there are no such things - they are an abstraction from complex supply networks, which include most people and most things.
Ideology has displaced rational analysis of strengths and weaknesses. They are giving up the high ground to China - unconsciously.
December 6, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Ideology has displaced rational analysis of strengths and weaknesses. They are giving up the high ground to China - unconsciously.
Try living without theory or concepts - it's chaotic. They get us in the right ballpark at least. But, I agree, how we then play the game is crucial - not least in taking account of the other team's intentions and actions - and the weather forecast....
December 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Try living without theory or concepts - it's chaotic. They get us in the right ballpark at least. But, I agree, how we then play the game is crucial - not least in taking account of the other team's intentions and actions - and the weather forecast....
The strategy document assumes a level of competence in the USG which it has not demonstrated so far. Possible effects of and reactions to executing elements are not addressed. Assumptions are not made clear and thus unexamined. The give away for me is the comment: "so called rules based order".
December 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The strategy document assumes a level of competence in the USG which it has not demonstrated so far. Possible effects of and reactions to executing elements are not addressed. Assumptions are not made clear and thus unexamined. The give away for me is the comment: "so called rules based order".
Thank you for highlighting this strategy. I have read it all and found it very accessible. One thing that immediately strikes me is that it assumes a set of cause and effect relationships without being explicit about those assumptions. Thus the set of possible outcomes and reactions is unexamined.
December 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Thank you for highlighting this strategy. I have read it all and found it very accessible. One thing that immediately strikes me is that it assumes a set of cause and effect relationships without being explicit about those assumptions. Thus the set of possible outcomes and reactions is unexamined.
Alex's point that reading comments can be very instructive chimed with my very recent realisation that we shouldn't let disagreement and irritation get in the way of at least noting what other people seem to be thinking. Even if 'wrong', or misled, those views will have political and social effect.
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Alex's point that reading comments can be very instructive chimed with my very recent realisation that we shouldn't let disagreement and irritation get in the way of at least noting what other people seem to be thinking. Even if 'wrong', or misled, those views will have political and social effect.
Thanks. While I feel strongly that leaving was a big mistake, I am not convinced that rejoining, even if possible, is the best goal now. I would welcome an increase in pragmatic plans. Any future 'relationship' will be a dynamic web of links at different levels, not a single multi-level treaty.
December 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Thanks. While I feel strongly that leaving was a big mistake, I am not convinced that rejoining, even if possible, is the best goal now. I would welcome an increase in pragmatic plans. Any future 'relationship' will be a dynamic web of links at different levels, not a single multi-level treaty.
Reposted by David Foster
Dogs of War by @aptshadow.bsky.social is a splendid book. It begins as a war story with bio-engineered animals and becomes much more.£2.29 though, it's been cheaper.
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
Dogs of War
Dogs of War eBook : Tchaikovsky, Adrian: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
www.amazon.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Dogs of War by @aptshadow.bsky.social is a splendid book. It begins as a war story with bio-engineered animals and becomes much more.£2.29 though, it's been cheaper.
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-War-Adr...
Also not reduced on Kobo
Also, what about the Euro requirement?
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Also, what about the Euro requirement?
Thank you for taking the time to expand on your position. We'll probably have to leave it there for now as I don't share your view on the nature of this Government and if we try and discuss risks and their likelihood in this format I suspect we won't get very far into each others thinking.
December 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Thank you for taking the time to expand on your position. We'll probably have to leave it there for now as I don't share your view on the nature of this Government and if we try and discuss risks and their likelihood in this format I suspect we won't get very far into each others thinking.