John Haines
@johnhaines.bsky.social
Chartered Civil Engineer (retired), London, Military History, Lapsed Wargamer, Guide and Trustee for the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery.
AKA JustsomeguyJohn.
"If you're always curious, you'll never be bored." Vincent Price.
AKA JustsomeguyJohn.
"If you're always curious, you'll never be bored." Vincent Price.
Reposted by John Haines
I'm constantly revising my list of reasons why we don't use AI in my class. This one is specific to a first-year writing intensive. Free to borrow/adapt! 🙂
January 14, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I'm constantly revising my list of reasons why we don't use AI in my class. This one is specific to a first-year writing intensive. Free to borrow/adapt! 🙂
Reposted by John Haines
More pics and our thoughts here: londonist.com/london/great...
First Look: The Bazalgette Embankment At Blackfriars
Lots of history in this new Thames-side structure.
londonist.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
More pics and our thoughts here: londonist.com/london/great...
Reposted by John Haines
Amazingly, Zahawi only got round to deleting the below after the press conference announcing his defection to Reform.
January 12, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Amazingly, Zahawi only got round to deleting the below after the press conference announcing his defection to Reform.
Reposted by John Haines
Reposted by John Haines
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by John Haines
I know this petition has much more support than it currently has. Please share far and wide. Petition to require generative AI to carry a watermark and to make it illegal to use a person’s likeness in generative AI without permission.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Petition: Require generative AI watermarks & ban using people’s likeness without consent
As AI generated content becomes increasingly realistic, we think laws should be put in place to prevent misuse. All such media should carry a permanent watermark or disclosure, alongside a blanket ban...
petition.parliament.uk
November 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I know this petition has much more support than it currently has. Please share far and wide. Petition to require generative AI to carry a watermark and to make it illegal to use a person’s likeness in generative AI without permission.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Labour is proposing to go back to PFI to fund the NHS, effectively privatisation. This is uneconomic in the long term, even the Tories ended PFI.
It’s unbelievable that Starmer, Reeves and Streeting are doing this…🚨
November 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Labour is proposing to go back to PFI to fund the NHS, effectively privatisation. This is uneconomic in the long term, even the Tories ended PFI.
Reposted by John Haines
Farage: epic grifter
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Farage: epic grifter
Reposted by John Haines
October 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM
@redstarneil.bsky.social Just seen this. Any comment?
October 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
@redstarneil.bsky.social Just seen this. Any comment?
Reposted by John Haines
Thought for the day: We don’t make the world less hateful by responding to things with anger and hate
October 14, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Thought for the day: We don’t make the world less hateful by responding to things with anger and hate
Reposted by John Haines
Trump wanted the Nobel peace prize
To honour his hate and his lies
But Norway said no
Which just goes to show
That they are incredibly wise
To honour his hate and his lies
But Norway said no
Which just goes to show
That they are incredibly wise
October 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Trump wanted the Nobel peace prize
To honour his hate and his lies
But Norway said no
Which just goes to show
That they are incredibly wise
To honour his hate and his lies
But Norway said no
Which just goes to show
That they are incredibly wise
Reposted by John Haines
Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop
October 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop
Reposted by John Haines
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
October 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
Reposted by John Haines
Never, in the field of UK politics, has a government made such continuous and determined attempts to alienate and criminalise people who used to be it’s natural supporters. How on earth do Starmer and co. think then can ever win back the people they treat with such contempt.
October 5, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Never, in the field of UK politics, has a government made such continuous and determined attempts to alienate and criminalise people who used to be it’s natural supporters. How on earth do Starmer and co. think then can ever win back the people they treat with such contempt.
Reposted by John Haines
The Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, opened on this day 1825. Its first line linked collieries near Shildon with Darlington and Stockton. (Painting of opening day by Terence Cuneo, 1949, National Railway Museum.)
September 27, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, opened on this day 1825. Its first line linked collieries near Shildon with Darlington and Stockton. (Painting of opening day by Terence Cuneo, 1949, National Railway Museum.)
Reposted by John Haines
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
Reposted by John Haines
I will not vote for any party that doesn’t have ‘undo Brexit’ as a manifesto promise.
September 20, 2025 at 6:33 AM
I will not vote for any party that doesn’t have ‘undo Brexit’ as a manifesto promise.
Reposted by John Haines
On the same day in the Telegraph:
![The Telegraph
Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement
Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty
Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence
[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]
Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent
29 August 2025 8:57am BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihe5mm7nwmwvzhtgadmsafyvsaxhrufuai2d2j2rju5zt6g2lytea@jpeg)
![The Telegraph
Money > Property > Second homes
How to avoid tax on your second home
From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net
[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]
Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer
29 August 2025 1:21pm BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreieuwgc2vsmyfcctmf4cnpcqckij2pqdk2gmzajpnihrsqyqmzyr5e@jpeg)
September 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
On the same day in the Telegraph:
Reposted by John Haines
I'm genuinely disturbed.
I'm living in a country that is passionate about defending the 'free speech' of those who would incite violence against minorities, but equally passionate about arresting people for calling a genocide a genocide.
I'm living in a country that is passionate about defending the 'free speech' of those who would incite violence against minorities, but equally passionate about arresting people for calling a genocide a genocide.
September 4, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I'm genuinely disturbed.
I'm living in a country that is passionate about defending the 'free speech' of those who would incite violence against minorities, but equally passionate about arresting people for calling a genocide a genocide.
I'm living in a country that is passionate about defending the 'free speech' of those who would incite violence against minorities, but equally passionate about arresting people for calling a genocide a genocide.
Reposted by John Haines
It's very simple.
The people costing all the money, are the people with all the money.
Not the people with hardly any money.
It really shouldn't need explaining.
The people costing all the money, are the people with all the money.
Not the people with hardly any money.
It really shouldn't need explaining.
August 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It's very simple.
The people costing all the money, are the people with all the money.
Not the people with hardly any money.
It really shouldn't need explaining.
The people costing all the money, are the people with all the money.
Not the people with hardly any money.
It really shouldn't need explaining.
Reposted by John Haines
This Petition on media bias and the real need for Freedom of the press and fair coverage should be signed by millions, not 7,500!!
Get off your arses folks if you don't like #Farage!!
Get off your arses folks if you don't like #Farage!!
DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT #FARAGE ALWAYS BEING ON TV IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED THIS PETITION !!!
DO IT!!!!!
RT and thankyou for your attention to this matter! 😰
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
DO IT!!!!!
RT and thankyou for your attention to this matter! 😰
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Petition: Ensure plurality of political coverage across UK broadcast media at all times
We want to ensure that a plurality of views from all political parties in Westminster are represented and the nations parliaments are heard all year round, not just election times. The rules for coverage during elections should apply at all times.
petition.parliament.uk
August 29, 2025 at 7:14 AM
This Petition on media bias and the real need for Freedom of the press and fair coverage should be signed by millions, not 7,500!!
Get off your arses folks if you don't like #Farage!!
Get off your arses folks if you don't like #Farage!!
Reposted by John Haines
Reposted by John Haines
Clean up your links before you share them with others. It's a small and simple piece of operational security that anyone can integrate into their practice.
August 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Clean up your links before you share them with others. It's a small and simple piece of operational security that anyone can integrate into their practice.