ShredderLivesOn

Occasional YouTuber.
Full-time curmudgeon.
Independence supporting Scotsman.

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Last Notes

2026-04-06 09:21:29 UTC

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This could still change though. As Professor Curtice still maintains that a list vote for the SNP is basically a wasted one. He predicts the SNP will continue to do so well at the constituency ballot, that they will pick up almost no additional seats from the Regional Lists.
So it's looking like the best way for the independence movement to ensure both a pro-indy majority and to keep Reform's numbers low and possibly reduce the predicted number of MSPs, is to go Green on the list ballot.

2026-04-06 09:20:49 UTC

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The way this poll was broken down by Professor John Curtice, is that the SNP would finish with 57 seats, Labour would have 20, and Reform have 16.
So the good news is Reform will not become the main opposition.
The analysis from Curtice, is that all of their MSPs will come through the lists. So they will not have a direct victory at the ballot box to boast about.

2026-04-06 09:20:21 UTC

The Norstat polls for the Sunday Times have kicked up some interesting results.
It's the first major poll since Alba were deregistered with the Electoral Commission, and confirmed they won't stand.
According to Norstat, Reform have dropped to their lowest level in over a year with them, with a 4% decrease in their vote at both the constituency and the regional list vote.
They're down to 15% on both ballots.

2026-03-27 06:35:17 UTC

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Both Nadine Dorries and Matt Goodwin have been brought on with no mention of their membership of Reform.
Instead they've been touted to the Question Time audience as broadcasters and authors.
So forgive me for not accepting the defence of Nigel Farage chickening out of appearing in Clacton on face value.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/299/746/855/684/244/original/4bcdd5ac623cd089.jpg
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/299/747/264/543/589/original/12fa39ae1ff2d70d.jpg

2026-03-27 06:34:30 UTC

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And as an additional, both the BBC and Question Time may also want to clarify why they don't state the political affiliations of certain guests.
Tom Skinner was just the latest example of getting Reform through the back door, by not mentioning that he's a member and in his case is also seeking to be an election candidate.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/299/740/613/228/778/original/3c6f310b23f778f4.jpg

2026-03-27 06:32:53 UTC

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But if there really is a policy to "not to invite MPs on in their local constituencies unless it’s for a single-issue special programme," then how do they explain the list of names I pulled up?
None of them were cabinet members, or people with expertise in a specialised topics.
Again, the short list I found.
- Lucy Powell in Manchester, literally two weeks ago.
- Stephen Flynn in Aberdeen.
- Ian Murray in Edinburgh.
- Anas Sarwar and Patrick Harvie in Glasgow.
- Giles Watling in Clacton.

2026-03-27 06:31:40 UTC

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And of course both the BBC and Question Time defended Fiona Bruce, when she was facing calls to go after her disgusting intervention to downplay the allegations of domestic violence against Stanley Johnson.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaint/commentsondv

2026-03-27 06:29:36 UTC

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We also shouldn't forget they defended having UKIP and Farage on repeatedly in spite of their own guidelines about support at the national level.
UKIP at the national level peaked at 12% in 2015. But were on 24% of all episodes between May 2010 and Feb 2017.
That trend is still continuing. Since the 2024 election, there have been 57 editions of Question Time held in the UK.
Reform having managed 14% of the national vote, have been represented on 33% of all broadcasts. 19 times.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/299/724/870/321/570/original/31fc3fbb92fc9c66.png

2026-03-27 06:28:10 UTC

I might be inclined to believe this statement from Question Time, were it not for the fact that both they and the BBC have a history of lying to cover their own backsides whenever there's controversy about the programme.
For example, David Dimbleby infamously said "Question Time doesn't follow by-elections."
They had in fact done four by-election editions since 2012.
Stoke-on-Trent (2017), Corby (2012), Eastleigh (2013), and er, Clacton (2014).
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/299/717/821/092/833/original/a00b02c11e4ef525.png

2026-03-26 21:58:44 UTC

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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and former Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie are both elected MSPs for Glasgow, and have appeared on Question Time editions from Glasgow.
Labour's Edinburgh MP Ian Murray has was involved in a taping from Edinburgh.
But if Farage really wants a more relevant example to him, then perhaps he could look to the man he unseated in 2024, Giles Watling.
Who appeared on Question Time in 2018 when it was held in Clacton.

2026-03-26 21:54:03 UTC

Farage has claimed the reason he wasn't on Question Time in Clacton, is that MPs from the constituency the show is being taped in are not allowed to appear there.
Which is a lie. Another lie. Another fucking Farage lie.
As Labour MP for Dover, Mike Tapp has pointed out, he was at the taping in Dover back in December.
Lucy Powell, the Labour MP for Greater Manchester was on the edition from Manchester just two weeks ago.
Aberdeen's SNP MP Stephen Flynn was on the Aberdeen edition in 2024.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/297/683/227/667/512/original/fe620cdbdaeb7616.jpg

2026-03-18 15:03:15 UTC

30p Leenoch has apparently been breaking parliamentary rules, and recording Cameo videos while in the building. He's been warned about this before.
This included him recording Cameo messages for Valentine's Day.
Of all the people you could have record a message for Valentine's, who on Earth would want Leeanderthal? Unless that's your way of saying it's over.
Imagine the messages.
"Valentine,
You sure are swell.
Lets be patriots together,
And burn down a hotel".

2026-03-17 07:51:36 UTC

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Yes, after a U-turn by the government. Same as they U-turned on the winter fuel allowance.
And this was after withdrawing the whip from MPs who had opposed those attacks on welfare.
It seems the whole mindset was to carry on Gideon Osborne's sick austerity style economics, of hammering the poor. Only they didn't count on how unpopular it made them with Labour's own voters.
Very foolish when you won a loveless landslide, yet have long term ambitions.

2026-03-17 07:15:41 UTC

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It's all well and good for example being angry at someone like James Watt, taking £100m out of Brewdog, fucking over investors, and putting 450 people out of work with the taxpayer picking up the tab for redundancy pay.
But why are we doing nothing to fix a system that allows privatising gains, but then socialising all losses?
This should have been priority one for a traditional Labour chancellor.
But what was it we got? 2 child benefit cap to remain, and winter fuel allowance removed.

2026-03-17 06:53:59 UTC

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Too many like Tice have screwed over HMRC, and avoided tax. And we keep hearing that if we properly tax millionaires, they'll take their money elsewhere.
The simple solution, is tax their assets. They can't relocate property like they can money. And if someone is provably hiding their money offshore, then you hit their assets hard.
But we also really need business regulation reform as well.

2026-03-17 06:51:30 UTC

The legacy of Thatcher's free market can do no wrong ideology.
Don't get mad at the millionaire who wants to run the tax system dodging £600,000 in tax.
Be mad at all those people on benefits. Especially if they manage to get an extra £20 a fortnight.
They're the real drain on our economy.
It makes a refreshing change to see a publication like the London Economic calling for Richard Tice's resignation.
Although Tice could probably serve as an example for tax reform.
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/opinion/tice-must-go-404043/

2026-02-22 23:43:06 UTC

My partner lives in New Jersey, so I often see the news from there.
New Jersey lawmakers have written a bill to rein in ICE. And the acronym is absolutely fantastic.
The legislation (2026 NJ A4446) is called the Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered act.
Or the FUCK ICE act for short.
https://legiscan.com/NJ/bill/A4446/2026

2026-02-11 06:30:23 UTC

Reform MP Sarah Pochin has tried to have herself invited to a student debating society event, and hold a Q & A.
The debating society has said no, and released a very public statement that they will not be providing a platform to racism, transphobia, or homophobia.
This prompted a massive meltdown from senior Reform members, who claim they're being denied a right to a platform. A right they don't actually have, but I'll get to that.
And their response?
"VOTE REFORM AND DEFUND THIS UNIVERSITY!"
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/050/576/972/182/118/original/5f0eb555380d5ddc.jpg

2026-02-07 11:59:20 UTC

Peter Mandelson has attempted to stop newspapers continuing to scrutinise him over his relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The National believes that because it's in the public interest, have published the memo they received in full.
The clauses he cites in his request via IPSO, are generally used by grieving family members, or people who have suffered genuine harassment by the press.
Sadly, The National did not take a moment to refer him to the reply given in Arkell v Pressdram.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/029/230/456/218/206/original/4f34c7529785aabd.jpg

2026-02-02 13:46:40 UTC

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Yep. But try explaining anything as straightforward as that to Reform.
It would be like trying to teach quantum physics to a dog.

2026-02-02 13:38:31 UTC

Reform's response to Hannah Spencer standing for the Greens in Gorton;
"ZOMG GUYS! SHE'S NOT REALLY A PLUMBER!"
Literally proving they know fuck all about trades, and the terms for the people involved in them.
This is desperate stuff, even by their standards.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/116/001/302/166/175/102/original/e1f7b34765c2f0e7.png

2026-01-26 07:56:15 UTC

LBC appears to have acknowledged that they fucked up big time with one of their choices for a guest to discuss the blocking of Andy Burnham to stand to become an MP again.
During Ali Miraj's 12pm - 3pm slot, he had as a special call-in guest, the former Labour Minister for Veterans and MP for Hove, Ivor Caplin.

2026-01-26 07:46:59 UTC

Kash Patel is a colossal hypocrite when it comes to his attitudes of shootings at protests.
On the execution in the street of Alex Pretti by ICE;
"You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple."
However when Kyle Rittenhouse crossed state lines and shot three people (killing two) at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha with an AR-15, Kash Patel on Fox News was raising funds and offering to pay Rittenhouse's legal fees.

2026-01-11 08:19:58 UTC

Australia and Canada are considering joining the UK in a total ban on Twitter, over the Grok AI image generator being used to make non-consensual sexual images of women, as well as CSA images.
This would be huge if it happens. And could lead to further countries implementing bans.
Musk of course is claiming that he's the real victim.
He responded to the initial condemnation by Downing Street and news that Ofcom would be investigating, by posting a picture of Keir Starmer in a bikini.

2026-01-10 10:15:37 UTC

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In fairness, it has become a Nazi infested Hell-hole long before he changed the name to X.
I believe it was still Twitter when he reinstated the QAnon account Dom Lucre, after they had shared graphic CSA images.
As well as the accounts of Alex Jones, Kanye West, Donald Trump, Little Tommy Ten-names, etc.

2026-01-10 09:47:14 UTC

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If Musk is going to continue deadnaming trans people, it's only fair to do the same to his ridiculously named website that he turned into Stormfront with a character limit.

2026-01-10 09:19:13 UTC

Indonesia has blocked access to Grok over its usage in producing AI generated pornography.
Elon Musk said on Twitter that anyone using Grok to make illegal content would suffer the same consequences as if they had uploaded illegal content.
This would be an assurance from the same Musk, who overruled his online safety team and reinstated the account of Dom Lucre, who had shared CSA images that were viewed by millions of people by the time Twitter stepped in and banned him.

2026-01-09 10:52:59 UTC

In other news, Twitter has turned off the image generator for the Grok AI system to all except paid subscribers.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/09/grok-image-generator-outcry-sexualised-ai-imagery?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
This follows the headlines and investigations by multiple national regulatory bodies about Grok stripping clothing off in images of women and children.
So in other words, Twitter has said it will only allow their AI service to make CSA images and revenge porn, if you agree to pay them.
It's overdue now. Ban Twitter.

2025-12-07 13:08:59 UTC

Reform's famous vetting process has struck yet again.
Not only have they had to revoke the membership of Staffordshire County Council leader Ian Cooper, after he was exposed posting white supremacist content and racist abuse on social media.
Now their candidate announced just days ago for the mayoral election in Hampshire and Solent, Chris Parry, has been exposed as spewing sexist and racist remarks.
Reform however have not sacked him, and he will still be their candidate.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/678/441/259/646/356/original/87b1f58ee744d392.webp

2025-12-04 22:02:33 UTC

Nigel Farage has decided that the best way to defend himself over questions about the racism and antisemitism that he is alleged to have engaged in at school during his teenage years, is to attack the TV networks about the content they used to put out.
In a rant aimed at the BBC, he demanded an apology for them airing the Black & White Minstrel Show, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Are You Being Served, and the character Alf Garnett.
When ITV tried to ask him questions, he yelled "Bernard Manning".

2025-11-30 09:44:46 UTC

I'm struggling to think of any worse attempt at downplaying the allegations of Farage being a racist and antisemite at school than Jeremy Vine on Channel 5.
He and Carole Malone continue to provide ammunition for my theory that the day he's off the air for good, the collective IQ of the UK will jump three points.
Normally I would be critical of Malone for being the angry gammon with a loud argument that has no substance, and Vine acting like she had a valid point.
He was just as bad this time.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/638/001/463/483/767/original/d5959e12cbb20257.png
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/638/002/079/657/386/original/0781857d0b053c69.png

2025-11-24 15:20:31 UTC

I had to stop and triple check this was real.
This is actually from Nigel Farage's official page on Facebook.
Reform are teasing the release of an actual black shirt...
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/605/346/923/537/272/original/6eafb7ad33b23add.png

2025-10-19 07:51:47 UTC

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And this isn't just a few fans that are causing problems. Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans are infamous for violence.
And again, other clubs have seen their supporters banned from travelling or attending games due to violent conduct in the last few years alone.
The police have made abundantly clear that their decision was based entirely on logistics and intelligence they received.
So it's a gross lie to say they're being banned just for being Israeli, or attempting to conflate it with antisemitism.

2025-10-19 07:46:26 UTC

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South Africa's athletes were famously banned from almost all major sporting events during Apartheid.
The South African FA was even expelled by FIFA in 1971.
Riley also mentions how two fans were killed and 200 injured after celebrating their victory in the Champions League.
Key word. Celebrating.
PSG fans were not looking for fights, singing about rape, and making racist chants.
A few did smash up streets. But that was their own stupidity. Not acts of attempted murder, as we saw in Amsterdam.

2025-10-19 07:41:07 UTC

LBC naturally hosts some of the shittiest takes on the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their match away to Aston Villa.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cW2BeJpMIPo
Henry Riley, who was presenting, got so much wrong.
For a start, his argument that Maccabi Tel Aviv is not part of Nethanyahu's government.
That's true. But the same goes for CSKA Moscow, who are banned from UEFA competitions, due to the actions of the Russian state.
Teams have been banned before due to actions by their governments.

2025-10-18 08:49:02 UTC

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It is frankly absurd that Keir Starmer has taken this line, and is pandering to who exactly?
The Israeli state?
The few weirdos at The Telegraph and GBeebies who already hate him anyway and were going to spin this as antisemitism no matter what?
A few football ultras who might relish a scrap with Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans?

2025-10-18 08:48:25 UTC

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Also keep in mind, there was a blanket ban on English clubs competing in European club competitions due to the behaviour of fans, that lasted 6 years.
Which wasn't countered by complaining that the ban was anti-English. Instead the FA worked with the government to crack down on hooliganism.

2025-10-18 08:48:00 UTC

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Or the violent behaviour of fans following the England national team that was prevalent until government legislation started cracking down on football hooligans, was indicative of how fans of domestic clubs behaved when they went abroad to support their team chasing European silverware.

2025-10-18 08:47:24 UTC

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Because last I checked, Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn't represent all Jewish people and their conduct. Certainly not the Jewish people in Britain. And not all Israelis either.
This would be akin to suggesting that the violence caused by fans of "Rangers" during European matches, was indicative of all Scottish fans. When Scottish fans outside of that club are considered to be the best behaved and friendliest in Europe during club and national competitions.
As the saying goes. No Scotland, no party.

2025-10-18 08:46:38 UTC

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I also want to bring up Keir Starmer's own words as well. Where he said that "the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation".
And he is absolutely right. But when one side's support has a reputation for violence, why is it wrong for the police to tell that group that they will not get in and not to bother travelling, so that everyone else can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation? Or even worse, antisemitic?

2025-10-18 08:44:18 UTC

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Hell, Maccabi Tel Aviv just last year were told by Turkish authorities after their behaviour in Amsterdam, that they would not host the club for their away fixture against Beşiktaş, and made clear that it was because of violent clashes involving their fans.
The only country that was willing to host the match was Hungary, and they ultimately decided to have the game played behind closed doors with no fans in attendance again to avoid violence.

2025-10-18 08:43:54 UTC

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Or to use Aston Villa as an example again, fans of Legia Warsaw were banned from entering Villa Park after they had engaged in violent conduct which saw several police officers injured.
It wasn't "anti-Christian", or "anti-Polish" when they were banned. So why is Birmingham and its officials being smeared as antisemitic purely because the police don't want to have to deal with violence on their streets from a group of fans who seem to relish the opportunity?

2025-10-18 08:43:29 UTC

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attempted to fuck around and start a riot. And once they found out and lost, then they cried antisemitism.
Maccabi Tel Aviv are not the first team to have been told that their fans are not welcome due to their behaviour.
PSV Eindhoven have previously had their supporters banned from attending a match against Paris Saint-Germain, due to concerns over violent conduct from Dutch ultras in a previous match played in France.

2025-10-18 08:43:03 UTC

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While of course they pointed to the behaviour of Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans in Amsterdam in November during their match against Ajax, where there were 60 arrests, fans yelling racist chants, boasting about the murder of children in Gaza, and provoking violence in the street.
Which if people hadn't filmed it and uploaded it to social media, the Israeli state would have got away with attempting to lie about how it was Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans who were the innocent victims of antisemitic attacks.

2025-10-18 08:42:06 UTC

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"The UKFPU (UK Football Policing Unit) supported West Midlands Police in gaining access to the full details of the previous incidents in Amsterdam via the European policing network so they had all the relevant information available to them," they said in a statement.
"Following this, the Home Office were briefed last week by the UKFPU about the potential issues and options that the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) may take including restrictions on visiting fans."

2025-10-18 08:41:46 UTC

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Labour's science minister Ian Murray flat out lied when he appeared on news shows and claimed that fans were being banned based on their race and religious background.
Police from various departments that handle safety at football matches, filed their recommendations to the Home Office based solely on the grounds of public order and safety.

2025-10-18 08:41:20 UTC

The government trying to overrule the police and overturn the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their upcoming match against Aston Villa, is not only a grotesque overreach when it comes to policing.
But it's also one of the most dishonest and blatant attempts at conflating antisemitism with criticising the behaviour of Israelis that they've pulled off to date.

2025-10-17 08:45:13 UTC

Members of the "Young Republicans", had their group chat leaked. Where it was exposed that they were posting racism, calls for political opponents to be put in gas chambers, and even their "love" of Hitler.
Vice President JD Vance tried to downplay it as stuff kids say and do.
The age range of the people in the group? 18 - 40.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2025/10/14/i-love-hitler-ny-gop-caught-up-in-racist-chats-00607906
America really needs a Led By Donkeys style campaign to put billboards up with photos of the offenders and quotes in their communities.

2025-09-28 17:55:28 UTC

Labour have lost around 12% of their vote to Reform. But about double that to the Lib Dems and the Greens.
Lets also not discount how many of their voters are shifting back to the SNP in Scotland, Plaid in Wales, and by the time the next lot of polling comes out, to Your Party.
Even if it's just a percentage point or two to each of those three nationally, you're looking at a near 30% loss of Labour's vote to more left leaning parties.

2025-09-24 07:13:38 UTC

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After YouTube implemented the DMCA takedown system, they also pretty much automated their reporting system.
It was known that YouTube were blatantly lying when they claimed that a human being reviewed all of the videos flagged for ToS violations.
Emmy award winning journalist Mark Bunker for example has his channel XenuTV attacked by Scientology, and taken down until mass protesting by the community.
I was also a victim of this, when I had my first channel taken down for hate speech.

2025-09-24 07:09:06 UTC

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He built an audience back in those community days, where he would critique and call out the lies of Fox News.
He was also one of the first to have a direct relationship with people at the offices at YouTube.
Which is where his decline and disconnect from a lot of his initial support first began.
Pre-DMCA, it was pretty tough to be taken off of YouTube. You either had to do something really heinous like doxxing, or posting outright white nationalism.

2025-09-24 07:05:04 UTC

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There are others who treat YouTube as a hobby. And good for them. I like when it wasn't taken so seriously, influencers weren't a thing, and people weren't trying to make it their career.
One channel though has probably got the biggest disconnect I've ever seen between subscriber and view count. Which is Liberal Viewer.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/257/984/346/834/230/original/31b3e69f3df05140.jpeg

2025-09-24 06:59:05 UTC

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Thunderf00t is also still around. He seems to have rebuilt his reputation, despite his past where he was spewing almost BNP levels of Islamophobia.
His audience went viciously after Dawah Films for being a Muslim who objected to this. And other people who criticised him.
Thunderf00t also was part of an incel documentary about Anita Sarkeesian, after he took on a staunchly anti-feminism stance.
Now he makes most of his videos about Elon Musk and his bullshit.
Mark Rober does a better job.

2025-09-24 06:51:46 UTC

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TJ Kirk, who was known as The Amazing Atheist, is still around and making a living.
This is the same guy who admitted that he lied about being raped, in order to dismiss claims from actual rape victims who he diminished.
He spent a long time claiming that most women lied about being raped, and put innocent men in prison.
We're talking insane incel/MRA level content.

2025-09-24 06:48:14 UTC

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Some I'm sorry to say have thrived or at least survived.
Pat Condell for example, who went from one of the most high profile atheist channels to where he was promoted by Richard Dawkins, and the National Secular Society, pivoted to far-right politics.
Dawkins continued to endorse Condell and sell his merchandise, after multiple controversies.
Endorsing UKIP.
Slipping in "Arabs" instead of "Muslims" in his rants.
Being in Anders Breivik's manifesto.
Just to name a few.

2025-09-24 06:44:39 UTC

I used to post to YouTube fairly regularly back in the day. Before it was bought by Google, before TV networks got in on the action and professional channels were a thing, and when there were still active and thriving communities on there.
It's actually how my partner and I first met, and we've been together nearly 15 years. And I have friends from back then to this day.
So every once in a while I check in on some of the channels that were around back in the day and see how they're doing...

2025-09-18 12:59:48 UTC

🧵 incoming.
This censoring of the media by the Trump administration is awfully similar to what has happened historically in other countries when fascism takes over.
Particularly that one regime in a neighbouring country of France in the 1930s that people insist we can't compare this regime to, which shut down and threatened all of their media outlets before all the truly evil shit started.
And this most definitely is an all out attack on America's First Amendment.

2025-09-08 10:49:01 UTC

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Reform claimed they needed a big venue to accommodate all of their support and allow everyone in.
So they picked the NEC in Birmingham. Which has a capacity of 15,000.
And either everyone as a massive prank decided to come dressed as empty chairs, of they had at most 4,000 people in the main hall for Farage's keynote speech.
Nowhere close to the 10,000 tickets that organisers claimed.

2025-09-08 10:45:18 UTC

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Leaving aside the more ridiculous aspects, such as Reform being the first political party in the UK with a pyrotechnics budget for their conference, or Andrea Jenkyns horrendous singing, or the fact they closed by singing the wrong national anthem, this was almost like Turning Point levels of stupidity mixed with fascism on display.

2025-09-08 10:44:37 UTC

The Reform party conference took place this past weekend.
And holy shit was it a worrying sign of things to come, if Labour doesn't get their act together and realise that these people need to be opposed. Not pandered to.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/168/265/182/165/051/original/b4f281a3e4bd4b7f.jpg

2025-09-06 07:33:50 UTC

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Ian Hislop and journalists from Private Eye spoke directly to a select committee on the issue of lobbying. Where they read out gifts the MPs on that committee had received.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg3DsTuG7yY
The whole thing is worth a watch, but they do ask the question of what these companies think they're getting in exchange for gifts, or for inviting MPs out to dinner, offering them jobs, etc.

2025-09-06 07:20:07 UTC

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There should be an overhaul on second jobs and outside earnings.
Simplest way to run it would be that unless you're working in a professional qualification such as in the NHS, or maintaining a small family business from before entering politics and that can't be influenced by government policy, then your sole job should be as an MP.
An example of the latter would be someone like John McNally, who had operated a barber's for decades before being elected as an MP.

2025-09-06 07:17:13 UTC

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The MPs expenses scandal actually did highlight a lot of what you're talking about.
Most MPs do not own property, beyond their main residence. Or have paid secondary income.
Some, such as the late Paul Flynn who did have a seconday income as an author, gave all the money directly to charity.
In general though I do agree with what you're saying.

2025-09-06 06:52:37 UTC

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There's also Farage's own arrangements when it comes to stamp duty.
While he described Angela Rayner's tax error as "screaming entitlement", his financial arrangements to avoid stamp duty are now under scrutiny.
Farage boasted last year that he bought a house in his Clacton constituency. Only it's not in his name. It's in the name of his girlfriend.
That way Farage has also avoided paying £40,000 in stamp duty, as he owns multiple properties already. His portfolio is worth about £3 million.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/156/028/641/968/540/original/1558496e79a2e844.jpg

2025-09-06 06:47:06 UTC

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Other earnings that make their way to Farage's shell company on top of his GormlessBampot News earnings, would be the income he receives to, er, advise people on how to avoid paying tax.
Farage has a paid consultancy gig with Nomad Capitalist.
A company that assists the super wealthy in obtaining second residencies and overseas citizenships, and advises them where to relocate to in order to avoid paying tax.
He's paid £40,000 per year for advising others on how to screw HMRC for much more.

2025-09-06 06:43:57 UTC

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Farage of course isn't the only high ranking member of Reform to have benefited from offshore tax havens.
His deputy leader Richard Tice is also a big fan of them.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/994/811/631/958/original/8b1947b6882565cb.jpg

2025-09-06 06:43:03 UTC

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Before he was using shell companies, Farage benefited from setting up a trust in an offshore tax haven.
The Dear Farage had placed his entire 33% stake in his company Farage Limited into a tax haven based on the Isle of Man.
Although he claims to have received no money, almost £1 million in dividends had been paid out to his brother Andrew. At a reduced tax rate of course.
Farage only held his hands up and called it 'a mistake' after his dealings had been exposed.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/989/742/604/103/original/30c78cc49a430932.jpg

2025-09-06 06:35:16 UTC

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Speaking of offsetting, and having income not declared, we can look at the fact that Arron Banks was entirely funding him for several years after Brexit was won.
Paying rent and utility bills on a property Farage was living in to the tune of £13,000 per month. As well as providing Farage access to a brand new Land Rover Discovery, and a personal driver.
This was around the same time that Farage complained that he was "53, separated and skint” and said that “there’s no money in politics”.

2025-09-06 06:30:03 UTC

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This is just his income from GammonBox News. Which he is a minor stakeholder in, as well as a presenter.
It doesn't include his £189,000 from being a brand ambassador for gold bullion firm Bullion Direct.
Or his £4,000 per month for a Daily Telegraph column.
Or his income from the international speaking circuit.
It also doesn't take into consideration that by having his company paid instead of receiving money directly, he can have certain personal purchases offset as business expenses.

2025-09-06 06:22:36 UTC

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Speaking of Farage, he's probably the most hypocritical when it comes to tax avoidance.
Farage has previously described tax avoiders as the "common enemy".
This would be the same Farage who on top of his £94,000 salary and expenses for the job of an MP (which he rarely does), also uses shell companies to receive his salary and dividends from GBeebies.
Meaning he avoids about £60,000 annually through paying corporation tax at 25%, rather than income tax at 40%.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/909/151/482/929/original/d718bc501e5066e4.jpg

2025-09-06 06:15:22 UTC

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I suppose that would be an incredible advert for the Tories, if they could get Richard Desmond to appear.
"Bribes for the cooperation of cabinet officials were far cheaper and easier under the previous government.
That's why I'm voting Conservative."
Of course, the media only wants to talk about 'Honest Bob' about his latest attempt to paint himself as a hardcore flag shagger, where he looks like a Poundland version of Farage.
Although I'm probably being extremely unkind to Poundland.

2025-09-06 06:11:19 UTC

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This wasn't the only benefit of Desmond's dealings at a dinner party with 'Honest Bob'.
That same housing development saw Desmond having his obligation to build at least 35% of the property as affordable housing, reduced to 21%.
According to the London School of Economics, Desmond pocketed an extra £106 million as a result.
Desmond sent his gratitiude to the Tories in the form of a £12,000 donation, just weeks after 'Honest Bob' unlawfully signed off on his East London development.

2025-09-06 06:07:04 UTC

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The Tories seem to be trying to make some political capital out of it. Although they really shouldn't.
We all pretty much know that Kemi Badenoch is running down the clock on her leadership. As soon as MPs are able to submit letters to the 1922 Committee, she's gone.
The frontrunner to replace her is Robert 'Honest Bob' Jenrick.
The same 'Honest Bob' who when housing minister, unlawfully signed off on a development and helped Tory donor Richard Desmond avoid £45 million in tax.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/849/388/984/262/original/ed1e1145016771a4.jpg

2025-09-06 06:04:04 UTC

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The same day that the Telegraph ran their first piece about Rayner avoiding stamp duty, they also ran a guide on how to avoid paying tax written by their 'Senior Money Writer' Fran Ivens.
It was titled 'How to avoid tax on your second home', with the sub-headline reading 'From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net'.
Again, Rayner has just resigned over an error in her declarations to HMRC over stamp duty.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/834/342/576/716/original/b0e96559e4c26952.jpg

2025-09-06 06:01:51 UTC

A few examples of some of the gross hypocrisy when it came to the press and certain political parties when it came to the tax affairs of Angela Rayner.
Rayner avoided £40,000 in stamp duty by not declaring that the luxury flat in Hove she bought was a second home.
She apparently believed that this was applicable, as she has no ownership stake in the house the father of her son lives in.
The other examples here were however deliberate tax avoidance. Starting with the Telegraph.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/115/155/826/540/738/065/original/ae06b876bcb37c5d.jpg

2025-09-04 07:00:16 UTC

Nigel Farage went to the US Congress as a guest of the Republican Party to lie about how "FREEZE PEACH" is under attack in Britain.
Namely because racists who encouraged the murder of innocent people such as Lucy Connolly, wound up going to prison for inciting murder.
And Farage had to sit there and get absolutely torn to pieces by Jamie Raskin, who pointed out the absolute hypocrisy and barefaced lying of Farage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pAYUYwWMWY

2025-08-22 14:47:04 UTC

This has to be one of the funniest libel losses in history.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy33g0lelno
Noel Clarke attempted to sue The Guardian for running stories about him using his fame to manipulate and abuse women.
So The Guardian had no less than twenty-six women come forward and state that what they reported was true, and detail how much an abusive piece of shit he is.
The judge as a result ruled that they were able to substantiate the allegations, and the reporting was in the public interest.
Whoops.

2025-08-12 06:39:40 UTC

I'm surely not the only one who listens to Yvette Cooper justify proscribing Palestine Action as terrorists by saying that she has information that she's not able to share, and sees parallels to the way the Israelis have justified murdering a journalist?
They also claimed to have evidence that they couldn't share. What evidence they did present was universally panned as flimsy at best.
I'm also reminded of how the previous Labour government lied about WMDs in Iraq, and detention without trial.

2025-08-11 11:24:18 UTC

Yes, we have finally the reached the point where Israel has killed journalists, and claimed that one of them was part of Hamas.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1dxndnkq6yt
Forget the conditions Starmer has imposed. The Palestinian state should be recognised immediately, the Israeli ambassador expelled, weapon sales halted, Israeli lobbying banned with groups like the Labour Friends of Israel expelled from the party, and economic sanctions placed on the Israeli state immediately.

2025-07-07 06:46:22 UTC

Yesterday marked the 9th anniversary of the publication of the Chilcot Report.
And of course, after years of delays and attempts to redact large parts of it, the end result was that ultimately nothing happened.
Nobody was ever prosecuted. Nobody in the media who made the case saw their career ended, or their platform diminished.
Jeremy Corbyn issued a formal apology on behalf of Labour to the nation, the families of soldiers impacted, and the people of Iraq.
He was derided for it.

2025-07-03 07:07:52 UTC

So initial reports of the leaked verdict by the jury were half-correct.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is going to prison. But not on the more serious charges.
The jury acquitted him of two counts of sex trafficking, and the charge of criminal racketeering.
The sex trafficking charge would have seen Combs spending a minimum of 15 years inside, while racketeering carried up to a life sentence.
They did however find him guilty on the lesser charges of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/114/788/038/121/577/497/original/08c3fae828c08230.jpg

2025-06-06 10:43:14 UTC

Trump has threatened to withdraw all subsidies and contracts to Space Karen's companies.
Apartheid Clyde responded by announcing that he has ordered the Dragon spacecraft used to transport cargo and crew to and from the International Space Station to be decommissioned immediately.
The fact that he's actually threatened to strand the crew on board the ISS (there are other craft, but it will require rescheduling), is exactly why the space program should have no reliance on the private sector.

2025-05-13 21:47:05 UTC

This is the foreword that Keir Starmer wrote for the immigration white paper.
He basically has gone full Farage.
So no, I don't accept that his "island of strangers" line was just a small slip in the wider context.
Someone slipped that into his speech to appeal specifically to the racist scum that constantly post about how "ENOCH POWELL WAS RIGHT!"
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/114/502/716/413/193/015/original/dbb01047e2ebc9b1.png

2025-05-12 07:55:32 UTC

Spot the difference.
2020 - Then opposition leader Keir Starmer tells the Labour conference, "We have to make the case for the benefits of migration."
He also claims Labour welcomes immigrants, and does not scapegoat them.
2025 - Current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, channels the worst of the Tories and announces plans to slash immigration.
With her biggest pledge being to stop recruiting care workers from abroad.

2025-05-11 10:04:41 UTC

As someone who has had family who relied on the care sector, and who works in the care sector themselves, this is fucking insulting.
There is nothing "low-skill" about the job.
And thank goodness for migrant workers, given that it's historically been criminally low paid.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/114/488/631/172/358/002/original/80eea42e65ee6d62.png

2024-12-24 08:55:55 UTC

The House ethics committee report into Matt Gaetz was finally released. Oh boy, Trump and the GOP have serious questions to answer about promoting him as a leading figure and potential cabinet member.
Allegations include that he paid a minor $400 for sex.

2024-12-18 08:44:22 UTC

Oddly enough, I remember this same line being used by Labour when it came to their councils fairly compensating women they had screwed over on equal pay.
They colluded with the unions to get the women to accept a fraction of the back pay that they were owed. As others who pursued their own legal action won far more of the money they were due.
Is it safe to say now that Labour just generally hates women?
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/113/672/939/227/096/939/original/58e1624621b0d866.png

2024-12-04 17:37:42 UTC

Of course he doesn't mention that he stood there and said nothing while Gregg Wallace made all of his disgusting comments and "jokes".
I hope the investigation does ask why he didn't speak up at any point.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqlnez0ylqo

2024-11-15 06:36:19 UTC

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Ben Collins wrote on Thursday morning, “The Onion, with the help of the Sandy Hook families, has purchased InfoWars. We are planning on making it a very funny, very stupid website. We have retained the services of some Onion and Clickhole Hall of Famers to pull this off.
“I can’t wait to show you what we have cooked up.”

2024-11-15 06:35:11 UTC

It turns out the announcement was not a clever piece of satire, but genuine news.
Infowars has indeed been sold to of all the possible outlets, The Onion.
The Onion's parent company Global Tetrahedron, and their CEO Ben Collins, who is himself a former reporter at NBC, confirmed that they have bought Infowars and its intellectual property in the court enforced bankruptcy auction of Free Speech Systems and its assets.

2024-11-11 04:56:18 UTC

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I don't know what incident you're talking about.
The only killing of a US national by the Obama administration I can recall, is when Anwar al-Awlaki was killed using a targeted drone strike in 2011.
But in al-Awlaki's case he was 40 years old, had left to join al-Qaeda, was their main English language recruiter,.and had been involved in planning several attacks.
As Obama put it, his citizenship was no more of a shield than a rooftop sniper being taken out by a member of the SWAT team.

2024-11-10 19:55:04 UTC

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I don't think anyone is going to seriously consider a cartoon that portrays the President as a moronic imbecile will ever constitute a death threat.
Nor will it have scope to prosecute cartoons produced and broadcast in foreign nations.

2024-11-10 17:02:03 UTC

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Yes, because I'm not posting the actual image and risking suspension.
That is a pisstake I made using an old 2DTV sketch of George W. Bush making decoy versions of the White House to prevent terrorist attacks.
The sign was his way of knowing which was the real one.

2024-11-10 16:08:06 UTC

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Fuentes meanwhile hasn't helped himself all that much.
He's paid Google to blur out his house on Google Street View. But the problem is that since his is the only house blurred, everyone knows which is his.
He might as well have stuck up a huge sign on the front reading "IT'S THIS ONE!"
He seemingly hasn't been in touch with either Apple Maps, or property sites such as Zillow and Redfin. As they still have the unblurred shots of his house available.
https://media.mastodon.scot/media_attachments/files/113/459/517/961/064/104/original/b88a49ba1805869a.webp

2024-11-10 16:06:52 UTC

Raging incel and white nationalist Nick Fuentes decided to fuck around and find out.
In response to his heinous video spouting "It's your body, MY choice!", Fuentes has been doxed.
Women across Twitter have posted his full address, street view of where he lives, and phone number. Although he has changed the number now.
Videos featuring his address have also made their way to TikTok. Including from some people commenting that they're closer to Nick Fuentes' house than they realised.

2024-11-07 13:51:43 UTC

Americans are starting to stockpile abortion pills in the aftermath of Trump's election.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/07/abortion-pills-hormones-trump
This is because Trump if not going for a full federal ban, is looking to revive the long defunct Comstock Act of 1873.
This would make the transfer of anything in relation to abortion via mail, a criminal offence.
Not just abortion pills. But potentially even medical equipment for the use in a clinical procedure.

2024-11-06 08:36:45 UTC

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I'll be curious to see the breakdown of voters, and where the Democrats have lost this election. I suspect Gaza and Kamala Harris failing to take a position of stopping the genocide there, has convinced a lot of younger and Muslim voters to stay home.
I'm interested to see where else they've went wrong.
Today it's not so much God bless America. It's more God help us all.

2024-11-06 08:36:24 UTC

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Even if the EU is still an option Keir Starmer doesn't want to explore, and naturally the EU doesn't want to explore either until anti-European sentiment dies down, he should be exploring negotiations with EFTA immediately. Just to have some ties.
This is a very frightening period. And worse when you also remember he now has the Senate as well.
Democrats will have slight control of the House of Representatives, and they need to use any and all powers at their disposal.

2024-11-06 08:35:55 UTC

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The UK and Europe needs to come together now and brace itself for what is going to be four years of global turmoil.
Part of the ridiculous notion of Brexit was that we would have closer trading arrangements with the United States. And now the United States is gearing up for four years of isolation, trade tariffs, and a free-market economy that would make Liz Truss look sane by comparison.

2024-11-06 08:34:55 UTC

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Spare a thought for Ukraine too. Trump has promised to end all aid for them, and force a negotiation with Russia.
And since we know how he likes to give Vladimir Putin a tug job on the world stage, that most likely means that Ukraine would have to agree to surrender the territory that Russia invaded.
And we have the horrors of the Pandora's Box known as Project 2025 awaiting us as well.