Nostr notes by Jamie Osborne

A non-event with no practical effect that took years to get to. ...

2026-05-11T20:26:19Z

A non-event with no practical effect that took years to get to.

— ‘The EU has agreed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers, ending a years-long deadlock over the issue but still taking only a “baby step” according to one MEP.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said on Monday: “Violence and extremism carry consequences.”

But there was still no consensus among the 27 member states on more hard-hitting trade sanctions.’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/11/eu-announces-sanctions-against-violent-israel-settlers

The last thing I want to see is Farage as PM. Starmer will throw ...

2026-05-08T10:28:09Z

The last thing I want to see is Farage as PM.

Starmer will throw everyone else under the bus to stay on for as long as possible.

— ‘McDonnell said: “The party needs to consider why we are in this situation … the leadership question has inevitably to be on the agenda.”
…
And John Healey, the defence secretary, said … “I think he can still deliver, he can still turn it round … The last thing I think people want to see is the potential chaos of a leadership election.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/08/keir-starmer-local-election-losses-labour

Trump’s folly: has a ring to it, but doesn’t seem to do it ...

2026-04-14T15:01:07Z

Trump’s folly: has a ring to it, but doesn’t seem to do it justice. Most idiotic war ever.

#Magafolly

— “Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and … how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here … and around the world.
…
But it was absolutely the right decision for Keir Starmer … to keep us out of this conflict.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/14/rachel-reeves-folly-us-going-to-war-iran-without-clear-exit-plan

— ‘By Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 Democratic members of ...

2026-04-07T19:03:00Z

— ‘By Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 Democratic members of Congress had called for Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th amendment to the constitution to remove a president who is deemed unfit for office.
…
They were joined by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican US representative turned Trump critic. She wrote: “25TH AMENDMENT!!! Not a single bomb has dropped on America. We cannot kill an entire civilization. This is evil and madness.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/07/democrats-trump-iran-25th-amendment

— ‘Iran’s Revolutionary Guards signalled they were also ...

2026-04-07T18:52:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…dmy3
_________________________

— ‘Iran’s Revolutionary Guards signalled they were also ready to escalate the war with a threat to retaliate “beyond the region” and “to deprive the US and its allies of oil and gas in the region for years”, … potentially sending the world into recession.
…
Officers in the chain of command are obligated under US and international law not to carry out blatantly unlawful orders but it was unclear whether there was anyone left in Trump’s entourage willing to intervene to stop him.‘

All these people are insane. Trump is a desperate nihilist ...

2026-04-07T15:20:19Z

All these people are insane.

Trump is a desperate nihilist sociopath who said “having a nuclear weapon” was the real war crime(!) while seeming to threaten nuclear annihilation, of a foe that “won’t say uncle”, in the same breath!

— ‘“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump posted on Tuesday morning, before expressing hope that “less radicalised minds” would take over the country.’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/israel-warns-iran-lives-at-risk-if-they-use-trains-trump-deadline

— ‘Daisy Cooper … called for an investigation into the ...

2026-03-23T19:19:14Z

— ‘Daisy Cooper … called for an investigation into the FCA’s Palantir contract and said: “Palantir has spent years embedding itself within the Maga machine. Awarding a contract for sensitive UK financial data to a Trump-aligned tech giant seems like a huge error of judgment.”

The Green party MP Siân Berry said: “Companies like Palantir should have no place within UK government systems when they are closely involved in President Trump’s illegal wars.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/23/mps-urge-uk-government-halt-palantir-contract-fca

Don’t buy Nissan is the message this sends. Unless you love ...

2026-03-14T09:12:46Z

Don’t buy Nissan is the message this sends. Unless you love planned obsolescence as much as Nissan does.

— ‘Drivers of Leaf cars made before May 2019 and the e-NV200 van (produced until 2022) have been told that the NissanConnect EV app linked to their vehicles will “cease operation” from 30 March. This means they will lose remote services, including turning on the heating, and some map features.
…
The … app could not be “upgraded to support future enhancements”.‘

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app

The IDF-ication of the US military, cont. — ‘When pressed on ...

2026-03-10T14:51:29Z

The IDF-ication of the US military, cont.

— ‘When pressed on civilian casualties, which involved a strike that killed more than 165 people at an all-girls school, most of them children, Hegseth instead pivoted to accuse Iran of moving rocket launches “into civilian neighborhoods, near schools, near hospitals …”

“That’s how terrorist regimes fight. They target civilians. We do not.” He insisted no nation in history had taken more precautions to avoid civilian deaths, …’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/10/hegseth-iran-intense-strikes-civilian-deaths

— ‘It’s now evident this week’s negotiations in Geneva ...

2026-02-28T12:16:30Z

— ‘It’s now evident this week’s negotiations in Geneva were a charade. Nor is there any sign Trump and Netanyahu, having set out their maximalist objectives, will break off the attacks soon. To do so would suggest failure. Trump wants to be the president who finally avenges US humiliations during the 1979 Iranian revolution, who brings Iran back into the western fold. He also wants a “win” to impress … midterm voters – one that revives his poor approval ratings.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/28/donald-trump-bombs-iran-war-middle-east

— ‘after Keir Starmer demanded faster deployment, Whitehall ...

2026-02-12T20:10:18Z

— ‘after Keir Starmer demanded faster deployment, Whitehall officials privately warned that the public perception of Palantir would limit its rollout, meaning the contract would not offer value for money.

By last summer less than half of health authorities in England had started using the technology amid opposition from the public and doctors.
…
Palantir was this week called “ghastly” and “a highly questionable organisation” by MPs in the House of Commons.’

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/nhs-deal-with-ai-firm-palantir-called-into-question-after-officials-concerns-revealed

— ‘Roderic O’Gorman, leader of the country’s Green party, ...

2026-02-07T18:52:03Z

— ‘Roderic O’Gorman, leader of the country’s Green party, said that it was “deeply disturbing” to learn “that Shannon is being used to facilitate the cruel actions of Donald Trump’s ICE”.

Patricia Stephenson, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Social Democrats, said the government “must make a statement on whether it knowingly facilitated these flights”. She told the Irish Times that she believed the human rights of those onboard had been violated.’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/07/use-of-irish-shannon-airport-for-us-deportation-flights-to-israel-called-reprehensible

— ‘Polanski said Palantir “has absolutely no place in the ...

2026-02-05T19:51:09Z

— ‘Polanski said Palantir “has absolutely no place in the NHS, looking after patients’ personal data … I understand there is a break clause in the contract this year and I would urge you not to renew the contract of such a disreputable corporation”.
…
The government has previously blocked several attempts to use freedom of information laws to investigate Mandelson’s appointment and Palantir’s contracts.’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/05/calls-to-halt-uk-palantir-contracts-grow-amid-lack-of-transparency-over-deals

— ‘Yet what’s striking today is how little activists or ...

2026-02-05T12:22:25Z

— ‘Yet what’s striking today is how little activists or potential voters talk about Polanski.

Drop his name and praise flows, but ask why they’ve gone Green and you hear condemnation of the Labour party. Lamb was a Labour member; Lewisham’s two Green councillors defected from Labour, claiming they were “bullied out” for opposing the brutal destruction of Gaza. And every single non-white voter names Palestine as the reason they can no longer back Labour.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/05/green-party-lewisham-zack-polanski-labour

The mask is now fully off these people. Trump’s actions ...

2026-01-27T12:21:32Z

The mask is now fully off these people.

Trump’s actions couldn’t have been better choreographed by Putin.

So, that’ll be the next realisation: a traitor – be it duped or delusional – in the White House.

— ‘We’re tipping into Trump’s fascist police state at the same time as we’re tipping into a new era of solidarity. The second may be the consequence of the first.

All I can say with any confidence is that the events of the last weeks are changing America profoundly.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/27/america-tipping-point-fascism-opposition

Nobody but the Maga drones on X believes their lies. But the ...

2026-01-25T16:14:51Z

Nobody but the Maga drones on X believes their lies. But the administration seems committed to the bit.

First abroad, now at home: the emperor has no clothes.

— ‘Pretti held up his phone in his right hand, with his left hand empty. Other videos show him coming to the defense of a legal observer who was shoved to the ground by a federal officer. That officer then sprays Pretti with a chemical agent, repeatedly, before tackling him to the street with other agents.’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/25/alex-pretti-fundraiser

— ‘Greenland’s prime minister said on Thursday he did not ...

2026-01-22T18:02:29Z

— ‘Greenland’s prime minister said on Thursday he did not know what was in the deal but the largely self-governing territory wanted a “peaceful dialogue” with the US, and its sovereignty was non-negotiable.

“We have some red lines ... We have to respect our territorial integrity. We have to respect international law, sovereignty,” Nielsen said, adding that if Greenlanders had to choose, “We choose the Kingdom of Denmark, we choose the EU, we choose Nato.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/22/denmark-pm-calls-for-constructive-greenland-negotiation-with-trump

— ‘He turns being artless into an art form; he is a Picasso ...

2026-01-11T12:16:11Z

— ‘He turns being artless into an art form; he is a Picasso of pettiness; a Shakespeare of shit. His faults are fractal: even his flaws have flaws … God knows there have always been stupid people in the world, and plenty of nasty people too. But rarely has stupidity been so nasty, or nastiness so stupid. He makes Nixon look trustworthy and George W look smart. In fact, if Frankenstein decided to make a monster assembled entirely from human flaws – he would make a Trump.’

https://londondaily.com/british-writer-pens-the-best-description-of-trump-i-ve-read

— ‘Dutch police told their British counterparts that the ...

2025-10-23T18:33:56Z

— ‘Dutch police told their British counterparts that the Maccabi fans had instigated trouble in Amsterdam at a game last year.

They had randomly picked Muslims in Amsterdam to attack. That led to reprisal violence with some Dutch Jews attacked.

A huge Dutch police effort, involving 5,000 officers across three days, was needed to quell the trouble.

A community impact assessment by West Midlands police recorded that some Jewish people wanted the Maccabi fans banned …’

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/21/police-intelligence-on-extreme-maccabi-fans-with-history-of-violence-led-to-villa-park-ban

So much hypocrisy: the “free speech absolutists” whined ...

2025-09-13T18:11:25Z

So much hypocrisy: the “free speech absolutists” whined endlessly about their own hateful vitriol not being amplified by the algorithm (shadow banning) – then Musk let the hate and misinfo back on to take over the platform and Maga celebrated.

— ‘Republican congressman Clay Higgins said in a post on X that anyone who “ran their mouth with their smartass hatred celebrating the heinous murder of that beautiful young man” needed to be “banned from ALL PLATFORMS FOREVER”.‘

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/13/charlie-kirk-shooting-people-fired-social-media

Third term is a misnomer: the “term” will never end. And that ...

2025-08-28T10:30:05Z

Third term is a misnomer: the “term” will never end.

And that term will most likely be this one. If he pulls off voter suppression next year, he’ll only escalate by 2028.

— ‘According to Newsom, “… he went on and on about the third term.”

It is unusual for a political leader, especially a sitting governor, to divulge details of an Oval Office exchange with the president. But Newsom appeared unfazed by the breach of protocol. “Apparently there are no rules any more,”‘

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/28/trump-serious-about-third-term-gavin-newsom-warns

It’s a bitter irony that we have to rely on Trump’s US to ...

2025-08-19T12:54:48Z

It’s a bitter irony that we have to rely on Trump’s US to rein in the UK’s technically illiterate and/or dangerous demands to break user encryption.

(not really sure what Vance was on about when he says “now using”)

— ‘Trump had weighed in to accuse Britain of behaving like China, telling the prime minister, Keir Starmer: “You can’t do this”.
…
Vance … said it was “crazy” that “we’re creating a backdoor in our own technology networks that our enemies are now using”.’

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/19/uk-has-backed-down-on-demand-to-access-us-apple-user-data-spy-chief-says

Yup. They have years left to do some good – I’d give up any ...

2025-07-16T16:03:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…maet
_________________________

Yup. They have years left to do some good – I’d give up any hope of regaining the whip and make the most of it, causing trouble for Starmer’s Tory+ policies until the next election.

Maybe they’ll even get reelected for their good representation.

Rejoice! And remove the stain of that corrupted red rosette from ...

2025-07-16T15:40:32Z

Rejoice! And remove the stain of that corrupted red rosette from your soul.

— ‘Starmer is to remove the whip from MPs for persistent rebellions, starting with at least four of them on Wednesday afternoon.

The Guardian understands that four MPs set to lose the whip are Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, and Chris Hinchliff.’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/16/keir-starmer-to-remove-labour-whip-from-at-least-three-persistent-rebel-mps

One problem that I keep thinking about is the popular belief – ...

2025-07-13T13:50:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…lltm
_________________________

One problem that I keep thinking about is the popular belief – and practice – in the US that companies must seek profit for shareholders above all else. And leave no potential for profit unexploited.

This seeking profit, no matter how small or damaging to others or their own long-term benefit, must surely drive a lot of this, as well as the overall breakdown in customer/company relations.

In the UK, we have stakeholder-oriented legislation vs. the US, where shareholder primacy reigns.

I think Labour might be damaged to the point where even a new ...

2025-07-13T13:06:05Z

I think Labour might be damaged to the point where even a new leader won’t get back the voters Starmer has, so dismissively, thrown aside (and still attempts, with many, to throw under the bus).

— ‘If we were in some alternative universe where our party system mapped on to people’s views, a modern party of the liberal left would not be hard to envisage. Its style of politics might fall somewhere between Ed Davey and the former Green leader Caroline Lucas.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/13/glastonbury-england-silent-majority-politics

Written for writers rather than programmers, but frustrating in ...

2025-07-11T16:51:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…a304
_________________________

Written for writers rather than programmers, but frustrating in your case.

I think Gruber took on the extra load (perl spaghetti?) to make it more logical in use — probably never envisioning it’s popularity or endless reimplementations, having predated our GitHub style open source collaborative explosion and probably only ever considering the CPAN Perl archive (at most, if at all).

It’s getting like America now, with Starmer turning Trumpy and ...

2025-07-02T18:03:53Z

It’s getting like America now, with Starmer turning Trumpy and Cooper parroting hard-right Israeli government propaganda.

— ‘MPs have voted to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation despite concerns that the move could risk criminalising legitimate protest.

The draft order to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 and proscribe the group, laid by the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, passed the Commons on Wednesday by 385 votes to 26.’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/02/uk-mps-vote-to-proscribe-palestine-action-as-terrorist-group

Just snatching Hispanic reporters off the street. — ‘As he ...

2025-06-17T11:42:56Z

Just snatching Hispanic reporters off the street.

— ‘As he backed into the street, two other police officers immediately arrested him.

“By any chance, are we still live?” he asks in Spanish, in the darkness of a van at the scene. “… Please, someone let lawyer Giovanni Díaz know what just happened.”
…
At the time of his arrest Saturday, Guevara was live-streaming on Facebook to more than 1 million viewers, outdrawing CNN and Fox News combined on a Saturday afternoon.’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/journalist-ice-protest-arrest-mario-guevara

— ‘The Leeds West and Pudsey Constituency Labour party (CLP), ...

2025-05-17T11:27:34Z

— ‘The Leeds West and Pudsey Constituency Labour party (CLP), which campaigned to return Reeves to parliament last year as its MP, has agreed to write to her “as soon as possible” to make clear it does not support the cuts.

The Guardian has been told by a Labour source that the meeting – which took place on Zoom on Thursday night – saw the motion passed unanimously, with 30 delegates voting for and zero voting against or abstaining.’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/17/rachel-reeves-labour-leeds-disability-benefits

— ‘Britain’s status as a cohesive, democratic society is at ...

2025-05-14T17:25:01Z

— ‘Britain’s status as a cohesive, democratic society is at risk for the first time in a generation as the rise of social media platforms and disinformation fuel a “trust crisis”, …

Tim Davie said BBC News would start to make special content for platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, where disinformation can go unchecked, as he couched the broadcaster as a “precious national asset” preventing the UK from becoming a society in which there were no shared facts.’

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/may/14/bbc-tim-davie-disinformation-trust-crisis-social-fabric-uk-at-risk

— ‘Israel claims its current operation in northern Gaza – ...

2024-11-12T19:03:16Z

— ‘Israel claims its current operation in northern Gaza – resembling an even more brutal version of the now infamous “generals’ plan” – was launched to quell Hamas’s attempts to re-establish a foothold in the area. … Yet senior defence officials told Israel’s Haaretz newspaper soon after the campaign began that the political echelon was pushing for a different goal altogether: annexation.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/12/israel-northern-gaza-palestinians-annexation-settlers

This seemed planned and organised – by the Israelis – and ...

2024-11-10T16:50:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…4xas
_________________________

This seemed planned and organised – by the Israelis – and this young reporter notes the group stays together, etc. unlike hooliganism he’s seen.

From X @Megatron_ron:

— ‘NEW:

🇳🇱🇮🇱 A 14 year old boy does what no single Mainstream media journalist did during the israeli hooligan night in Amsterdam;

He made a life report of 17 minutes of the riots with irrefutable prove of the aggressive intentions of the isreli Maccabi 'fans' who even threatened him not to make videos.’

https://youtu.be/ySHIOYyJ95A

Step one should be easy enough. Some Israelis act with the same ...

2024-11-08T18:00:00Z

Step one should be easy enough.

Some Israelis act with the same arrogant expectation of impunity they see in the West Bank; and in their leaders.

They don’t care about peaceful Jewish communities in the EU.

— ‘Netanyahu cancelled plans … to send two military rescue planes to Amsterdam [instead using the] national carrier.
…
Netanyahu also said he had ordered the Mossad spy agency to draw up a plan to prevent unrest at events abroad after the violence in Amsterdam.’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/08/israel-sends-rescue-planes-football-fans-reportedly-attacked-amsterdam

— “This is a plan sketched out by retired General Giora ...

2024-11-07T19:43:05Z

— “This is a plan sketched out by retired General Giora Eiland, … This is a first step toward annexing the Strip north of the Netzarim Corridor, which will lead to its settlement by Jews and will itself be only the first phase in the gradual takeover of increasing portions of the Strip, squeezing civilians into ever shrinking areas and eventually either forcing them out of the Strip or causing ever larger numbers of them die. In short, this is a genocidal plan.”

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/06/we-are-witnessing-the-final-stage-of-genocide-in-gaza

I had been/am still surprised at the lack of outrage (by allies) ...

2024-10-17T13:57:54Z

I had been/am still surprised at the lack of outrage (by allies) to autonomous drones stalking humans.

Then, I realised this might be one example of Israel’s strategic usefulness outweighing its atrocities; to some.

Others can develop these weapons, but what about local laws on autonomous killing? Is there a convenient population nearby on which to rapidly test and improve the software?

— ‘Armed quadcopters … Except it’s not sci-fi; it’s … happening right now in Gaza’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/17/gaza-doctors-testimonies

— ‘Two thirds of voters now have an unfavourable view of ...

2024-10-03T18:32:31Z

— ‘Two thirds of voters now have an unfavourable view of Israel, compared with 17% opting for favourable: a record low. Seven in 10 believe it likely that Israel has committed war crimes (just 8% dissent), while 54% believe an arrest warrant should be issued for Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity (with 15% dissenting).

But … devotion to Israel among our rulers has survived both unspeakable atrocities and ever more repulsed public opinion.’

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/03/slaughter-gaza-women-children-israel-7-october

— ‘Members … accused party officials of seeking to silence ...

2024-09-25T11:05:19Z

— ‘Members … accused party officials of seeking to silence the unions as the debate had been moved from Monday, to the very end of the gathering on Wednesday after ministerial speeches had taken place.
…
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, opened the debate criticising Starmer for removing the allowance while “leaving the super-rich untouched” … “Britain needs investment, not austerity mark II.”

“We won’t get any gold badge for shaving peanuts off our debt.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/25/labour-leadership-loses-conference-vote-on-winter-fuel-payments

Massive escalation is the only strategy Israel knows. The IDF has ...

2024-09-24T13:33:02Z

Massive escalation is the only strategy Israel knows. The IDF has published doctrine on this – the model is previous strikes on Beirut.

If Israel can’t think beyond (moving) their own borders for once, then stop shipping weapons; they are a liability to all of us.

— ‘A US state department official said: “I can’t recall, at least in recent memory, a period in which an escalation or intensification led to a fundamental de-escalation and led to profound stabilisation …”’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/24/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-iran-united-nations

— ‘Freedland, who is also a columnist and podcaster for the ...

2024-09-16T17:47:14Z

— ‘Freedland, who is also a columnist and podcaster for the Guardian, wrote: “The latest scandal brings great disgrace on the paper … but it is only the latest. Too often, the JC reads like a partisan, ideological instrument, its judgements political rather than journalistic.”
…
Last week Israeli press described [the] articles as “fabrications” and suggested they had been placed in the European media to support Benjamin’s Netanyahu’s negotiating position over Gaza.’

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/sep/15/columnists-quit-jewish-chronicle-gaza-conflict-stories

— ‘Burnham is calling for the UK to take a similar approach ...

2024-09-11T11:48:10Z

— ‘Burnham is calling for the UK to take a similar approach to Finland. He said the release of the Grenfell report last week should be a “watershed moment” in housing policy for the UK. By providing people with homes, Burnham said, money can be saved in public service budgets elsewhere.

“It actually saves public money to do this,” he said. “It’s not as if we’re just asking for something, and it’s another pressure. The bigger you do housing first, the more you’ll save.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/10/manchester-turns-to-housing-first-scheme-to-eradicate-rough-sleeping