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Search results for tag #politics

[?]adb » 🌐
@adbenitez@mastodon.de

join the one and only decentralized end-to-end encrypted anonymous lefty politics and climate activism memes channel in the world!

Meme Logistics - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

i.delta.chat/#B68D965B65A63BBE

    [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
    @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

    Business groups are warning John Healey against raising the minimum wage too far; but we've heard such warnings so often & the disaster they proclaim doesn't come to pass

    Better if business leaders showed some *actual* leadership & limited top managers' pay too (or better, commit to a lower multiple between staff & managers' pay).

    There may be a point where the minimum wage does have the effects warned of, but right now its the manager who cried wolf!


    h/t FT

      [?]Develop Society & Social (Not just Tech) » 🌐
      @collective_truth@mastodon.social

      "Lies" - #2022


      =

        [?]Develop Society & Social (Not just Tech) » 🌐
        @collective_truth@mastodon.social

        No more Lies - #2022


        =

          [?]adb » 🌐
          @adbenitez@mastodon.de

          "I work so somebody else can have the home I live in and a life I have no chance in affording"

          this quote will probably be used in future history books to talk about "The Neo-feudalism Stage"

          buymeacoffee.com/kdwc/let-talk

            [?]Develop Society & Social (Not just Tech) » 🌐
            @collective_truth@mastodon.social

            Don't have children. Why...

            Because you're giving them to bad people / .

            You value them NOW by not giving them to cruel systems like throw-away batteries - It's a of life.

            If you agree: then you prevent a lot of crap from happening again & again.

            are measurably in worse positions (a bad cycle of / / & bad financial people).

            The knows you will pay more for EVERYTHING and do any job, and that is / doesn't fix much!)

              [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
              @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

              It’s OK to tell their actions will haunt them, judge rules in speech fight

              arstechnica.com/tech-policy/20

                𝚛𝚊𝚝 boosted

                [?]Lispy Gopher Climate w/ screwlisp » 🌐
                @screwtape@toobnix.org

                #lisp #retrocomputing #climateCrisis Kent Pitman, Ramin Honary #lispyGopherClimate

                After talking about "lesser of two evils" politics on the climate, and young people and voting,
                apropos the discussions with John Hardy's Z80 retrocomputing, we talk about whether lisp is basically the oldest retrocomputing language and a modern language and how the many lisps related to ANSI standardisation.

                Kent's remembered song, God Wrote in Lisp:
                https://ib-krajewski.blogspot.com/2008/05/god-wrote-in-lisp-programming-and.html

                Some more links:
                Commodore : https://telarity.com/~dan/cbm/languages.html#LISP
                Datasoft's Interlisp on Atari 8-bit:
                https://www.atarimania.com/games/atari-400-800-xl-xe-utilities-interlisp-65-12477

                mdhughes' cyberpunks or just punks:
                https://mdhughes.tech/2018/06/22/cyberpunks-or-just-punks

                Hairylarry
                https://sbblues.com/

                Noted Canadian DJ Snowdusk
                https://toobnix.org/a/snowdusk/videos ( https://archives.anonradio.net/#snowdusk )

                Really you have to join lambdamoo. https://lambda.moo.mud.org/

                https://toobnix.org/plugins/livechat/router/webchat/room/c877e487-2d7b-4292-aaa2-06f7ad247381

                Alt...---

                  Light boosted

                  [?]ProPublica » 🌐
                  @ProPublica@newsie.social

                  NEW: Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses at Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish wedding, including renting out a private island and paying for the fireworks show.

                  propublica.org/article/donald-

                  https://www.propublica.org/article/donald-trump-jr-wedding-bankrolled-russian-oligarch-umar-kremlev-putin?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

                    [?]Raze [OCTADE] » 🌐
                    @8@star.octade.net

                    Is This Satan's Little Season? The Truth About the Rest of the Dead

                    You are being tested. Satan the Devil is your exam proctor. Will you pass or fail?

                    This video is interesting. I will add a few things to consider:

                    People are finally starting to get it. The lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor.

                    This era is the age of the lake of fire and brimstone.

                    YOU are in the lake of fire and brimstone. Now. Today. It is not somewhere you go when you die a bad boy. You have already been a bad boy or girl and you have already died and gone to hell.

                    YOU are the dead. You are dead and in hell. Now. Today.

                    This world age is the hell of the Holy Bible. To escape hell is to escape the blindness and wickedness of this age and all its filthy fake history, fake religion, and fake politics.

                    The whole world has been deceived. History is fake. Religion is fake. Science is fake. Everything is fake. It's all a pile of half truths and lies.

                    The only way to see through the fog of lies is to look toward the Savior, Jesus of Nazareth.

                    https://youtu.be/tmS4NkG62uc

                      adb boosted

                      [?]adb » 🌐
                      @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                      this is why people shouldn't be using centralized trash platforms like Instagram

                      get this and more content in the Meme Logistics Channel - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

                      i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                        [?]TM » 🌐
                        @timagal@mastodon.social

                        Israeli censorship seems to have taken control of Mastodon, too.
                        You are free to hashtag "nazi", "zionist", "fascist" and so on, but the hashtag "zionazi" is forbidden.

                        *nazi

                          [?]adb » 🌐
                          @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                          if you really care about climate change 👇

                            ArcaneChat boosted

                            [?]adb » 🌐
                            @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                            join the one and only decentralized end-to-end encrypted anonymous lefty politics and climate activism memes channel in the world!

                            Meme Logistics - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

                            i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                              [?]adb » 🌐
                              @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                              @JeffC1956 focusing on doing small things to protect the climate, things that are rendered useless and insignificant by imperialist wars, transnationals, big corps wanting to drill the seas, rich people flying in private jets, clothing/fashion industry trashing unused clothes just to keep making profits, etc.

                              it is true everyone needs to take responsibility but don't be fool to think that will be enough, perhaps that is what "they" want you to think, that it is your fault and you can save the planet just recycling plastic or using a paper straw

                                [?]adb » 🌐
                                @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                when prisoners become an essential part of the labor force, reducing crime is "inefficient"

                                  [?]adb » 🌐
                                  @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                  are you into climate change activism (and hence anti-capitalism, if you are woke enough to realize the root problem) and lefty politics memes??? join the Meme Logistics channel!

                                  i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                                    [?]Open for Business » 🌐
                                    @ofb@mastodon.faithtree.social

                                    .@eryanhaffner: “ did her candidacy no favors at yesterday’s debate when she admitted her ignorance on national security issues. Her critics seized on it, but if we care about what we say we care about in politicians, they’re wrong." ofb.biz/sa1450

                                      [?]M. Grégoire » 🌐
                                      @mpjgregoire@cosocial.ca

                                      : "Michael Bonner: Liberalism cannot justify its own assumptions "Appealing solely to liberal principles fails because such appeals are inherently circular." withoutdiminishment.com/p/mich" | nitter
                                      nitter.net/WDiminishment/statu

                                        Draken BlackKnight boosted

                                        [?]⏩︎VOTE⏪︎ ᶜʸⁿⁱᶜⁱˢᵐ⁼ᵃᶜᶜᵉᵖᵗᵃⁿᶜᵉ (Ben Royce) » 🌐
                                        @benroyce@mastodon.social

                                        "Honestly, the situation isn't funny anymore"

                                        Oh?

                                        Was it ever funny?

                                        You want your damn gasoline? Then get the fuck out of

                                        "I don't do " (an imagined response, but a common Russian citizen sentiment)

                                        Well, as you can see, politics does you

                                        So you better start doing politics. It's not going to get better by itself

                                        Same applies to all "I don't do politics" types all over the world: that attitude is *why* things suck, geniuses

                                        Figure it the fuck out

                                        Alt...average Russians whining about a new second wave of gas shortages Source: https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3mtdmpuzaus2f

                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                          The FT offers a useful summary of twenty years of decline in the UK's high streets.... if Andy Burnham thinks he can change the plight of the high street then he needs to both understand this complex of issues (and how they interact) and then find an alternative path for retail that will encourage people to visit high streets & spend there - a difficult talks that has defeated a range of people over the last decade!

                                          The drivers of high street decline are deep-rooted and complex. The 1980s rise of out-of-town retail parks and edge-of-town superstores, diverting sales from town centres, was compounded 20 years later by the online shopping revolution. Debt-funded buyouts of some retail chains, particularly where freeholds were sold and leased back, left businesses carrying heavier debt and long-term rent liabilities — limiting room to invest as sales came under pressure. Retailers have also faced other sharply higher costs, from the energy price shock and rising minimum wages to a long ratcheting up of business rates, plus the Starmer government’s rise in employer payroll taxes.

                                          Alt...The drivers of high street decline are deep-rooted and complex. The 1980s rise of out-of-town retail parks and edge-of-town superstores, diverting sales from town centres, was compounded 20 years later by the online shopping revolution. Debt-funded buyouts of some retail chains, particularly where freeholds were sold and leased back, left businesses carrying heavier debt and long-term rent liabilities — limiting room to invest as sales came under pressure. Retailers have also faced other sharply higher costs, from the energy price shock and rising minimum wages to a long ratcheting up of business rates, plus the Starmer government’s rise in employer payroll taxes.

                                            JJDavis :terminal: boosted

                                            [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                            @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                            If you think the UK's political instability is growing, that corruption is increasing & governments are becoming less effective, than the World Bank has data that will confirm you view....

                                            Our political class is failing us, while enriching themselves & their fellow travellers.

                                            This is what Right populists are exploring, but of which they are actually a central element.

                                            We need (urgently) a renewed politics...

                                            theconversation.com/if-british

                                              [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                              @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                              If the Green Transition is not the Govt.'s priority, then this merely confirms our political class are more concerned with the vested interests that might lose out from such a transition than with the welfare of the country.

                                              Ironically, a full commitment to a Green Transition would actually be a Green Keynesian stimulus to the economy, and as such would help realign the economy with a more sustainable model (sustainable in both environmental & economic terms).

                                                [?]דאָס איז נישט קיין פּײַפּ » 🌐
                                                @dukepaaron@babka.social

                                                We make this mistake every election. Let me explain to you why I am now making this mistake. Lol. 🙄

                                                "Every year, somebody tells us that the could decide the election.

                                                I have usually been skeptical.

                                                have a tendency, perhaps an understandable one, to overestimate our centrality to American life. We are, after all, only a little more than 2 percent of the population. Millions of Americans are not sitting around waiting to see how the Jews of , or suburban vote before deciding the fate of the Republic.

                                                But 2026 may be different. Not because there are suddenly more Jews.

                                                Because American has become so closely divided that a relatively small group of voters can exercise influence far beyond its size if three things are true: they vote in large numbers, they are geographically concentrated, and they live in places where elections are close."

                                                blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-je

                                                  muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                  [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                  @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                  As Devi Sridhar (UEdinburgh) points out at the same time that aid for tackling the latest Ebola outbreak has been scaled back, so the media has been less than attentive to what has come come DREC';s worst outbreak of the fatal disease....

                                                  Should we be worried? Sridhar thinks we should, and looking at the speed of the outbreak & its lack of traceability, it surely is only a matter of time before it breaks out of the African continent.

                                                  theguardian.com/commentisfree/

                                                    muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                    [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                    @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                    RE: mastodon.social/@ReggieHere/11

                                                    This great chart sums up the problem with the political class & media's response to serious problems.... well, one's that in some way undermine their vested interests, that is.

                                                      oheso boosted

                                                      [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                      @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                      Here's Carole Cadwalladr on the hounding (to death) of Jason Arday... as she points out she has direct experience of this sort of social media attrition.

                                                      Perhaps most importantly she includes at the bottom of the post a guide on what to do for for those not caught up in the onslaught, but who have sympathy for (social) media's victims. You'll want to (whatever the digital parallel is for) 'cut out & keep'!

                                                      broligarchy.substack.com/p/a-d

                                                        [?]Philosophics » 🌐
                                                        @microglyphics@mastodon.social

                                                        Don't read Cioran to fall asleep. Most who know me know that I don't support Democracy (or Republics for the pedants out there) as a political system.

                                                        brywillis634737.substack.com/p

                                                        This distrust of Democracy predates Trump by decades, in case you might be wondering.

                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                          [?]Texas Observer » 🌐
                                                          @TexasObserver@texasobserver.social

                                                          Previously: In an attempt to overcomply with law, the University of will eliminate over 100 women's studies, gender and sexuality courses from the core curriculum.

                                                          It won't be enough to appease extremist Republicans. texasobserver.org/university-o

                                                            muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                            [?]Warner Crocker » 🌐
                                                            @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social

                                                            Ignorance is everywhere. Given the rise in lynchings in the news, I Introduced a couple of my nephews to the song ‘Strange Fruit’ and the history behind it this weekend. Up to those who know to teach those who don’t.

                                                              oheso boosted

                                                              [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                              @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                              So now OFWAT is now looking at allowing stare companies to impose surge pricing as a way of trying to reduce use during droughts.... I mean there is regulatory capture & then there its *regulatory-capture*.

                                                              Forget all the bogus narrative about rationing water usage, this is yet one more way of profiting from their own failure while draining cash from the system to pay their (inflated) executive wages & dividends.

                                                              OFWAT is not fit for purpose!

                                                              theguardian.com/business/2026/

                                                                [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                The (new?) ideas around social rehabilitation in prison - now referred to as the Scandi model - look like just one more case of us forgetting (or our political class wilfully ignoring) social innovations of our past....

                                                                As Anne Owers points out English prison governor, Ian Dunbar was a innovator on rehabilitation, acknowledged by the Norwegian Prison Authorities, but whose work has been buried by the subsequent agenda of prison solely as punishment.


                                                                h/t Observer letters

                                                                Rachel Sylvester praises the Scandi model being pioneered on wings in two troubled London prisons – but this is not a Scandinavian invention. It was pioneered, 40 years ago, by an English prison governor, Ian Dunbar, in a concept he called “dynamic security”. Its three pillars were physical security, staff-prisoner relationships and purposeful activity. The Norwegian prison service has cited Dunbar’s work as the basis for its own approach. So, unlike football, it is just coming home. In fact, it never left – but it has been overwhelmed and undermined in our overcrowded and crisis-ridden prison system. Prisons are part of an ecosystem, which include an overstretched probation service and underfunded community mental health and support services. Prisons will continue to be over-used and under-performing unless we also find a way to invest properly in “not prison”. Dame Anne Owers Former Chief Inspector of Prisons, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

                                                                Alt...Rachel Sylvester praises the Scandi model being pioneered on wings in two troubled London prisons – but this is not a Scandinavian invention. It was pioneered, 40 years ago, by an English prison governor, Ian Dunbar, in a concept he called “dynamic security”. Its three pillars were physical security, staff-prisoner relationships and purposeful activity. The Norwegian prison service has cited Dunbar’s work as the basis for its own approach. So, unlike football, it is just coming home. In fact, it never left – but it has been overwhelmed and undermined in our overcrowded and crisis-ridden prison system. Prisons are part of an ecosystem, which include an overstretched probation service and underfunded community mental health and support services. Prisons will continue to be over-used and under-performing unless we also find a way to invest properly in “not prison”. Dame Anne Owers Former Chief Inspector of Prisons, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

                                                                  ArcaneChat boosted

                                                                  [?]adb » 🌐
                                                                  @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                                                  join the one and only decentralized end-to-end encrypted anonymous lefty politics and climate activism memes channel in the world!

                                                                  Meme Logistics - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

                                                                  i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                                                                    [?]George Doscher 🇺🇸 🇩🇪 🐧 📷 » 🌐
                                                                    @geospart@mastodon.social

                                                                    As of August 2, 2026, there have been 283 mass shootings in the United States in 2026, resulting in 275 deaths and 1,195 injuries. The recent tragic shooting in Idaho yesterday adds 3 more deaths to the total. This means there have been more mass shootings than days in the year so far, as this is day 215.

                                                                    youtube.com/watch?v=qzhQB9XxkVg

                                                                      [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                      @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                      taps security firms for offensive hack-back operations

                                                                      bleepingcomputer.com/news/secu

                                                                        JJDavis :terminal: boosted

                                                                        [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                        @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                        And so the polls have closed in Clacton & tomorrow morning we'll find out exactly how difficult the Fascist Frog found it to out-run a comedy bin.... if he has!

                                                                        While I think the Frog will have won on a (very) low turnout, I so hope Count Binface has got a significant (protest) vote...

                                                                        see you in the morning for news on Bib vs. Frog

                                                                        Pastiche of the famous Obama-Hope poster rendered as a post for Count Binface

                                                                        Alt...Pastiche of the famous Obama-Hope poster rendered as a post for Count Binface

                                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                          How does the 'most openly corrupt' POTUS, the Tangerine Tyrant make his money?

                                                                          Here's a guide, and if your wondering how he can still enjoy support, I'd say that his followers just think he's doing what they'd do if they had the chance...

                                                                          The best remark on Trump I ever heard was: He is a stupid person's idea of a clever person... which might also explain his continuing support?

                                                                          theguardian.com/us-news/2026/a

                                                                            muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                            [?]Warner Crocker » 🌐
                                                                            @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social

                                                                            Like a dog on a f**king bone. Maybe they’ll inscribe it using algae.

                                                                            The Kennedy Center board voted to inscribe President Trump's name on its building, aggressively testing a judge's order.

                                                                            Screenshot of a New York Times news card with a photo of construction workers installing metallic lettering for "TRUMP" and "CENTER" on a stone building facade, dated Thursday, August 13.

                                                                            Alt...Screenshot of a New York Times news card with a photo of construction workers installing metallic lettering for "TRUMP" and "CENTER" on a stone building facade, dated Thursday, August 13.

                                                                              muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                              [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                              @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                              Really not sure how I feel about this:

                                                                              Economics is now the fifth most popular A-level subject, with a 10% rise in pupils taking the A-level last year alone.

                                                                              One one level we *do* need people to be more economically literate.... but the problem is the highly orthodox character of the A-level syllabus - it lacks any real heterodox or critical economic dimension, and that means we're only teaching people a certain sort of (highly partial) economics!

                                                                              Hmmmmm


                                                                              h/t FT

                                                                                muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                [?]Ham on Wry » 🌐
                                                                                @HamonWry@mastodon.world

                                                                                When an assassination attempt is staged vs a credible threat.

                                                                                Staged assassination of Trump vs legitimate threat.

                                                                                Alt...Staged assassination of Trump vs legitimate threat.

                                                                                  [?]WIST Quotations » 🌐
                                                                                  @wistquotes@friendica.world

                                                                                  A quotation from John Kennedy

                                                                                  But I think the American people expect more from us than cries of indignation and attack. The times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high — to permit the customary passions of political debate. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.

                                                                                  John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) American politician, author, journalist, US President (1961–63)
                                                                                  Speech (1960-07-15), “The New Frontier,” Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

                                                                                  More about this quote: wist.info/kennedy-john/25388/

                                                                                    [?]WIST Quotations » 🌐
                                                                                    @wistquotes@friendica.world

                                                                                    A quotation from Molly Ivins

                                                                                       This is a column for everyone in the path of Hurricane Katrina who ever said, “I’m sorry, I’m just not interested in politics,” or, “There’s nothing I can do about it,” or, “Eh, they’re all crooks anyway.”
                                                                                       Look around you this morning. I suppose the NRA would argue, “Government policies don’t kill people, hurricanes kill people.” Actually, hurricanes plus government policies kill people. […] This, my friends, is why we need to pay attention to government policies, not political personalities, and to know whereon we vote. It is about our lives.

                                                                                    Molly Ivins (1944-2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
                                                                                    Essay (2005-09-09), “Katrina and You,” Texas Observer

                                                                                    More about this quote: wist.info/ivins-molly/16624/

                                                                                      [?]MDMRN » 🌐
                                                                                      @mdmrn@mstdn.games

                                                                                      USPol, Third Parties [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

                                                                                      I want there to be active, engaged third parties to offer actual better choice in elections in the US.

                                                                                      However, often third parties instead of focusing on local elections shoot for the Presidency or Governor's mansion.

                                                                                      Build a party first. Prove yourself to the electorate as a group that can govern. Then run for higher office.

                                                                                      In Maryland, the Green Party nominee for Governor (Andy Ellis) is running on a platform not of winning - but of getting matching public funds for the next election cycle. That's an achievable goal and will help with party building.

                                                                                      However, I look at the election, they have only 3 Congressional candidates and one state legislative candidate running. It's a start, but more local candidates would be better. Especially for state legislative and County offices, those are often decided by only a few hundred votes.

                                                                                      Anyway, I'm rambling. Just putting some thoughts out there.

                                                                                        [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                        @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                        to Pay Millions for Data to Feed to

                                                                                        404media.co/ice-to-pay-lexisne

                                                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                          We often focus on the 'supply' of gig-economy jobs, looking to regulate & limit employers ability to avoid offering secure or stable work to contracted workers, but we should look at the 'demand' for such work.

                                                                                          Many forced into gig-economy work are doing so because there are insufficient alternatives; if the UK economy was more healthy (doing better) we might see fewer workers prepared to accept such work, and thereby employers forced to offer better conditions!

                                                                                            muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                            [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                            @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                            Its becoming clear (but was also pretty predictable) that early release of prisoners to reduce pressure in the prison system, merely transfers capacity pressures to the probation system;

                                                                                            of course, with still insufficient work on rehabilitation & education *within* prisons, and a probation system already failing to work properly, in the long-term such actions may well just increase recidivism & worsen the prison crisis...

                                                                                            We need a better strategy!


                                                                                            bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39e3y

                                                                                              muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                              [?]Flipboard News Desk » 🌐
                                                                                              @NewsDesk@flipboard.social

                                                                                              In 2011, András Baka was removed by then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from his position as the head of Hungary's high court. Today, he was elected president by the country's parliament. @TheBulwark takes a look at how Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who ousted Orbán four months ago, is restoring optimism, tackling corruption, and trying to solidify Hungary's transition back to true democracy.

                                                                                              flip.it/LOSQlY

                                                                                                muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                [?]Texas Observer » 🌐
                                                                                                @TexasObserver@texasobserver.social

                                                                                                New from Mezabahnur Masum: A truly staggering expansion of data centers is underway in , and the state wants to make them pay for the wires that connect them to the grid. But who pays for building a grid that can support data centers? texasobserver.org/who-pays-for

                                                                                                  [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                  @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                  For a very long time people used to refer to the UK as 'our green & pleasant land'....

                                                                                                  well, its not been pleasant for some time, but now (this summer) its not green either, well south of a line around the Manchester Ship Canal, at least.

                                                                                                  Climate change & rubbish political economy have put an end to the phrase.... but we have to move on, I suppose.

                                                                                                    SlightlyCyberpunk boosted

                                                                                                    [?]Victator » 🌐
                                                                                                    @vicfroh@mastodon.social

                                                                                                    Zeddy @ZeddRebel 'Avoiding politics' at Thanksgiving is how we got Trump. Put on juggalo war paint and politicize everything. Redistribute the bread rolls. Nationalize the Monopoly game. Unionize the flag football league. Incite a kids' table uprising. Make a guillotine for your table centerpiece

                                                                                                    Alt...Zeddy @ZeddRebel 'Avoiding politics' at Thanksgiving is how we got Trump. Put on juggalo war paint and politicize everything. Redistribute the bread rolls. Nationalize the Monopoly game. Unionize the flag football league. Incite a kids' table uprising. Make a guillotine for your table centerpiece

                                                                                                      muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                      [?]Texas Observer » 🌐
                                                                                                      @TexasObserver@texasobserver.social

                                                                                                      New from Courtney Thomas, in our magazine: Dildos were a means to an end in the gun-control-focused “Cocks Not Glocks” protest, but they were, and remain, a complex protest symbol.

                                                                                                      Unpacking a protest from a time with more freedom ... texasobserver.org/cocks-not-gl

                                                                                                        🇮🇲Dan boosted

                                                                                                        [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                        @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                        Palantir are ripping off the NHS:

                                                                                                        Using revised estimates on the benefits to the NHS of Palantir's software (which you recall NHSE misrepresented) the benefits are lower than the (now revised & higher) costs of deploying the technology.

                                                                                                        In other words the use of Palantir's software imposes a cost on the health service (costs are now projected at over £1bn, while projected benefits have fallen to less that £900m) leaving a clear logic for ending the contract!


                                                                                                        h/t FT

                                                                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                          Thanks to @Npars01 this popped into my timeline... and very interesting it is/was too.... so here it is:

                                                                                                          desmog.com/2025/01/21/mapped-d

                                                                                                            oheso boosted

                                                                                                            [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                            @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                            Everyday Racism no.43378

                                                                                                            Solicitor Stephen Akinsanya told by a security guard that he could not park in the Court's car park because it was 'not for defendants'...

                                                                                                            And that's not a story from the 70s or 80s... its from 2026!

                                                                                                            theguardian.com/law/2026/aug/0

                                                                                                              Light boosted

                                                                                                              [?]Light » 🌐
                                                                                                              @light@noc.social

                                                                                                              controversial opinion (at least here):

                                                                                                              People and actions like this clearly need to be dealt with. But ofc we need light on government abuses as well.

                                                                                                              I am starting to think that there should be a higher emphasis on sousveillance and a lower emphasis on privacy as an absolute right.

                                                                                                              *Sous*veillance is everyone watching everyone, as opposed to *sur*veillance which is police etc watching everyone but not being watched themselves.

                                                                                                              Thoughts?

                                                                                                                muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                [?]Texas Observer » 🌐
                                                                                                                @TexasObserver@texasobserver.social

                                                                                                                Even as the administration puts the Cuban government in its crosshairs, its simultaneously refusing to help those fleeing from that same government. The asylum denial rate for Cubans so far in fiscal year 2026 is 78 percent. texasobserver.org/cuba-trump-p

                                                                                                                  [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                  @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                  Its a popular rhetoric of business representatives that extending better conditions to workers reduces economic activity (increases unemployment); our political class often repeat this argument;

                                                                                                                  But, 35 years (up to 2018) of labour market research across Europe offers no support for this conclusion; revealing it to be once more about managers seeking maintain their power dynamic over workers.

                                                                                                                  Andy Burnham should (must) resist such rhetoric.


                                                                                                                  blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpol

                                                                                                                    muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                    [?]Texas Observer » 🌐
                                                                                                                    @TexasObserver@texasobserver.social

                                                                                                                    Boosting the stats: Under Mike Miles, ISD forced 1000s of students into remedial classes in order to artificially improve school ratings. It's a stark warning of what's to come for other school districts in the crosshairs. texasobserver.org/the-houston-

                                                                                                                      [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                      @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                      U.S. Senate Vote: Four Internet Bills, One Wrong Direction

                                                                                                                      eff.org/deeplinks/2026/08/sena

                                                                                                                        adb boosted

                                                                                                                        [?]adb » 🌐
                                                                                                                        @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                                                                                                        join the one and only decentralized end-to-end encrypted anonymous lefty politics and climate activism memes channel in the world!

                                                                                                                        Meme Logistics - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

                                                                                                                        i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                                                                                                                        even more channels at:
                                                                                                                        arcanechat.me/channels

                                                                                                                          oheso boosted

                                                                                                                          [?]Quasit » 🌐
                                                                                                                          @Quasit@beige.party

                                                                                                                          The phrase of the day in the mainstream news media appears to be "center-left". Are you a democratic politician who takes lots of money from AIPAC and loyally votes to send billions of tax dollars to Israel to murder Palestinian children? Congratulations, you're "center-left"!

                                                                                                                          Do you collect tons of cash from the military industrial complex and vote for every war and military bill possible? Nice to meet a center-left patriot!

                                                                                                                          Have you been proud to raise your hand and vote to fund ICE and the DHS? You center-left types are SO attractive!

                                                                                                                          Did you seize control of Germany and start World War II? You may be center-left!

                                                                                                                          Seriously, it's like someone just sent out an email or something and ordered the media to call every right-wing Democrat "center-left". It's creepy!

                                                                                                                            [?]Hebrew by Inbal » 🌐
                                                                                                                            @hebrewbyinbal@babka.social

                                                                                                                            The whole country is watching the polls today. Michigan. Missouri. Kansas. Virginia. Washington. Huge stakes, and history being written in real time. 🇺🇸

                                                                                                                            So I went to my chalkboard and filmed a quick Hebrew lesson on the language of politics, elections, and democracy. Because these are words worth knowing in any language, especially now.

                                                                                                                            Whatever you believe, wherever you stand, come learn a little Hebrew with me today. 🇮🇱

                                                                                                                            Watch, and drop one word you would want to know in Hebrew below. 👇

                                                                                                                              muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                              [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                              @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                              First Secretary of State Louise Haigh has said that the Burnham administration will be 'stripping back' public procurement rules to make the only requirements focussed on creating jobs, skills and opportunities in Britain.

                                                                                                                              You might think,' well less bureaucracy, that's going to be good'; but don't forget what happened last time a Govt. radically reduced public procurement rules, we got the fraud & corruption scandal around PPE in lockdown.

                                                                                                                              Not the same you? Hmm... we'll see.

                                                                                                                              h/t FT

                                                                                                                                john fink ok!! :goat: boosted

                                                                                                                                [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                The BBC's defence of the case against it brought by the Tangerine Tyrant is a great example of how a bully's bluster and hyperbolic threats can unwind rather seriously once exposed to the legal process... in this case the BBC's discovery process for defending their claim has backed Trump & his lawyers into a corner.

                                                                                                                                Here's @davidallengreen clearly setting out the details. It's giving to make you smile....

                                                                                                                                theemptycity.com/blog/2026/08/

                                                                                                                                  CurtAdams boosted

                                                                                                                                  [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                  @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                  The Scottish Green are demanding the Burnham administration halt the prosecution of peacefully protesting Palestine Action supporters:

                                                                                                                                  Burnham's 'government should end the prosecutions of peaceful protesters & undertake an urgent review of how counter-terrorism and public-order laws are being used against political dissent'!

                                                                                                                                  The proscription of PA has been a clear continuity with Starmer's Govt. & Shabana Mahmood is unlikely to be an agent of change.


                                                                                                                                  greens.scot/news/burnham-must-

                                                                                                                                    [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                    @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                    The Youth Act’s Privacy Paradox

                                                                                                                                    eff.org/deeplinks/2026/08/yout

                                                                                                                                      muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                      [?]ProPublica » 🌐
                                                                                                                                      @ProPublica@newsie.social

                                                                                                                                      Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he's willing to "micromanage" Corpus Christi's water crisis.

                                                                                                                                      But he's gone quiet on the financial troubles of an agency that could help expand the region's water supply — despite Abbott having appointed its entire board.
                                                                                                                                      propublica.org/article/greg-ab

                                                                                                                                        [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                        @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                        Collected Nearly 1 Million People’s Last Year—Including Young Children

                                                                                                                                        wired.com/story/ice-dna-collec

                                                                                                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                          Watching the Fascist Frog tie himself in knots as he shifts & changes his story about circumstances around the £5m donation from Christopher Harborne, and other financial irregularities around ReformUK Ltd, one cannot but hope that we are seeing the beginning of the end of his corrosive influence over UK politics (not that there aren't other equally loathsome people waiting to step into his shoes, though thankfully, foe now, they're a lot less media savvy).

                                                                                                                                            muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                            [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                            @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                            So, around 53% of UK households are net beneficiaries of the state (with 47% net contributors).

                                                                                                                                            But the ONS calculates this through taxes (direct & indirect) and benefits (including those in kind; education, the NHS) & doesn't attempt to account for things like defence, the rule of law, policing, roads & so on.

                                                                                                                                            So its a figure that is at best misleading & at worst promotes a rampantly individualised politics (i.e. students presented as the sole beneficiaries of university).


                                                                                                                                            h/t FT

                                                                                                                                              ArcaneChat boosted

                                                                                                                                              [?]adb » 🌐
                                                                                                                                              @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                                                                                                                              happy ! don't forget to be a little weird today and to join some channels! check the list at:

                                                                                                                                              arcanechat.me/channels

                                                                                                                                                Geraint boosted

                                                                                                                                                [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                Rachel Powild (Guardian letters) makes the point that we do have a wealth tax to fund social care, its just levied on those in need, not on the general population.... or more importantly, the wealthy!

                                                                                                                                                Despite economists saying that it is too hard to tax wealth rather than income, there is already a wealth tax in place paying for social care in this country. The trouble is that it’s only levied on those who have the misfortune to need it. As your explainer points out, disabled and elderly people in England with assets over £23,250 have to pay the full cost of their social care. Why shouldn’t the super-rich be taxed on a similar basis – all assets over a threshold – and then they can pay for a functional and decent social care system for all the people who they made their money from by charging extortionate profits and paying sub-living wages? If the working class isn’t allowed to pass down generational wealth, why should anyone else be? Rachel Powild Manchester

                                                                                                                                                Alt...Despite economists saying that it is too hard to tax wealth rather than income, there is already a wealth tax in place paying for social care in this country. The trouble is that it’s only levied on those who have the misfortune to need it. As your explainer points out, disabled and elderly people in England with assets over £23,250 have to pay the full cost of their social care. Why shouldn’t the super-rich be taxed on a similar basis – all assets over a threshold – and then they can pay for a functional and decent social care system for all the people who they made their money from by charging extortionate profits and paying sub-living wages? If the working class isn’t allowed to pass down generational wealth, why should anyone else be? Rachel Powild Manchester

                                                                                                                                                  [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                                  @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                                  Judge says admin still lacks evidence for ‘supply-chain risk’ label

                                                                                                                                                  techcrunch.com/2026/07/30/judg

                                                                                                                                                    Sir Rochard 'Dock' Bunson boosted

                                                                                                                                                    [?]adb » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                    @adbenitez@mastodon.de

                                                                                                                                                    I gotta be honest, it's not a bad time to be a fish.

                                                                                                                                                    But since you are trapped in that human body, at least you can join the one and only decentralized end-to-end encrypted anonymous lefty politics and climate activism memes channel in the world!

                                                                                                                                                    Meme Logistics - Your go-to fun lefty memes supply chain

                                                                                                                                                    i.delta.chat/#818297831FAA0AB9

                                                                                                                                                    there is even more channels for you to discover at:
                                                                                                                                                    arcanechat.me/channels

                                                                                                                                                      [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                      @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                      A key divide in UK politics is the perception of Margaret Thatcher's Govt.

                                                                                                                                                      a. Did she help galvanise the UK's economy after the prior political consensus had produced an unwieldy & expensive state crowding out private enterprise, or;

                                                                                                                                                      b. did her Govt. lay the foundations for a wide range of problems that now contribute to the social political & economic dysfunction of the UK in the 2020s?

                                                                                                                                                      You'll be unsurprised I subscribe to b. but those who think a. are not as rare as you'd hope!

                                                                                                                                                        [?]Tadonic the Flautulent » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                        @ubuntourist@mastodon.social

                                                                                                                                                        "The US Senate on Thursday rejected a largely symbolic effort to limit Donald Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran..."

                                                                                                                                                        I think you mean the largely symbolic Senate...

                                                                                                                                                        theguardian.com/us-news/2026/j
                                                                                                                                                        @guardian

                                                                                                                                                          muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                                          [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                          @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                          Despite the wealth advisory industry warning a change in tax for non-doms would lead to an exodus of the wealthy (and the media presenting a range of anecdotes to back up the 'argument') what the data shows is that only 400 less people claimed non-dom status after the change (a drop of 0.5%).

                                                                                                                                                          Of course, it may take them longer to put their affairs in order & migrate, but for now it looks like most non-doms looked at the alternatives to living in the UK & just paid the tax!


                                                                                                                                                          h/t FT

                                                                                                                                                            [?]Tadonic the Flautulent » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                            @ubuntourist@mastodon.social

                                                                                                                                                            US government map of Africa mislabels every country at global conference
                                                                                                                                                            theguardian.com/us-news/2026/j

                                                                                                                                                              [?]Terence Eden » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                              @Edent@mastodon.social

                                                                                                                                                              🆕 blog! “Are political journalists always wrong?”

                                                                                                                                                              I've mostly tuned out of reading the news. But, once in a while, a headline will be shared on social media and I'll momentarily stare into the abyss.

                                                                                                                                                              There has recently been a change in UK Prime Minister. I neither know nor care whether that's a good thing. What I do know is that Senior Political…

                                                                                                                                                              👀 Read more: shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/are-p
                                                                                                                                                              ⸻

                                                                                                                                                                [?]Christopher Akong » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                @christopherakong.wordpress.com@christopherakong.wordpress.com

                                                                                                                                                                Why Is It Difficult for a Poor Person with a Good Reputation to Become President of a Given Country?

                                                                                                                                                                One of the most thought-provoking questions in modern democracy is: Why is it difficult for a poor person with a good reputation to become president of a given country? Across the world, many ordinary citizens admire individuals of honesty, humility, wisdom, and proven service to their communities. Yet, when presidential elections are held, these respected individuals rarely emerge as viable candidates. Instead, political contests are often dominated by the wealthy, influential, or those […] [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

                                                                                                                                                                One of the most thought-provoking questions in modern democracy is: Why is it difficult for a poor person with a good reputation to become president of a given country? Across the world, many ordinary citizens admire individuals of honesty, humility, wisdom, and proven service to their communities. Yet, when presidential elections are held, these respected individuals rarely emerge as viable candidates. Instead, political contests are often dominated by the wealthy, influential, or those backed by powerful political parties and financial interests.

                                                                                                                                                                This reality raises important questions about fairness, democracy, leadership, and the values that shape a nation. Should leadership be determined by the size of one’s bank account, or by one’s character, competence, and commitment to serving the people? A truly democratic society should strive to ensure that every qualified citizen has a fair opportunity to lead, regardless of economic status.

                                                                                                                                                                African Proverb: “A good name is better than riches that fade.”

                                                                                                                                                                The True Meaning of Leadership

                                                                                                                                                                Leadership is not merely about occupying the highest office in a country; it is about serving people with integrity, wisdom, justice, and compassion. A president is entrusted with protecting the constitution, promoting national unity, strengthening the economy, defending the vulnerable, and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.

                                                                                                                                                                Unfortunately, modern politics often places greater emphasis on financial strength than on moral character. Campaigns require substantial resources, and this creates barriers that many honest but poor citizens cannot overcome.

                                                                                                                                                                As Proverbs 22:1 reminds us:

                                                                                                                                                                “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

                                                                                                                                                                This verse teaches that reputation and integrity have greater lasting value than wealth. Yet, in many political systems, wealth often receives more attention than character.

                                                                                                                                                                Why Poverty Can Be a Barrier to Political Leadership

                                                                                                                                                                1. The High Cost of Election Campaigns

                                                                                                                                                                Running for the presidency is expensive. Candidates often need significant financial resources for transportation, campaign offices, staff, advertising, media appearances, rallies, security, and voter outreach. Even the most respected individual may struggle to compete without adequate funding.

                                                                                                                                                                This financial reality discourages many capable people from even attempting to contest elections.

                                                                                                                                                                Proverb: “A closed wallet often closes doors that an open character deserves to enter.”

                                                                                                                                                                2. Political Parties Often Favour Wealth

                                                                                                                                                                Many political parties prefer candidates who can finance their own campaigns or attract wealthy donors. While fundraising is a legitimate part of democratic politics, excessive dependence on money can unintentionally exclude talented individuals who have spent their lives serving their communities rather than accumulating wealth.

                                                                                                                                                                Leadership potential should never be measured solely by financial capacity.

                                                                                                                                                                3. Influence and Powerful Networks

                                                                                                                                                                Successful presidential campaigns usually require strong political networks, influential supporters, experienced advisers, and organisational structures. Individuals from poor backgrounds often lack access to these resources, making it more difficult to build nationwide support despite having excellent reputations.

                                                                                                                                                                4. Public Perceptions About Wealth

                                                                                                                                                                In some societies, wealth is mistakenly associated with intelligence, competence, or success. As a result, voters may assume that a wealthy candidate is automatically more capable of managing a nation’s economy. However, wealth alone does not guarantee wisdom, honesty, or effective leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                History has repeatedly shown that both wealthy and poor leaders can succeed—or fail—depending on their values, competence, and decisions.

                                                                                                                                                                Biblical Examples of Humble Leaders

                                                                                                                                                                The Bible consistently demonstrates that God values the heart above material possessions.

                                                                                                                                                                When God chose Israel’s future king, He rejected outward appearances and focused on character.

                                                                                                                                                                1 Samuel 16:7 declares:

                                                                                                                                                                “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

                                                                                                                                                                David was a young shepherd rather than a wealthy prince, yet God chose him because of his faithfulness and courage.

                                                                                                                                                                Similarly, Moses spent years tending sheep before leading the Israelites out of Egypt. The disciples of Jesus were fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary workers, yet they transformed the world through faith, humility, and service.

                                                                                                                                                                Jesus Himself was born into a modest family. His life demonstrated that greatness is measured not by possessions but by sacrificial love.

                                                                                                                                                                As Mark 10:45 teaches:

                                                                                                                                                                “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

                                                                                                                                                                These biblical examples remind us that true leadership begins with character rather than material wealth.

                                                                                                                                                                Philosophical Reflections on Leadership

                                                                                                                                                                Throughout history, philosophers have argued that moral excellence is the foundation of good government.

                                                                                                                                                                Socrates believed that virtue should guide leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                Aristotle taught that good leaders cultivate wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline.

                                                                                                                                                                Confucius emphasised that leaders should govern through moral example rather than fear or personal gain.

                                                                                                                                                                These timeless ideas remind us that effective leadership is rooted in ethical conduct rather than financial prosperity.

                                                                                                                                                                Practical Life Experience

                                                                                                                                                                In many communities, the individuals most trusted by the people are not the wealthiest. They are teachers who dedicate themselves to educating children, nurses who care for the sick with compassion, farmers who feed the nation, religious leaders who comfort the grieving, entrepreneurs who create jobs, and volunteers who quietly serve those in need.

                                                                                                                                                                Their daily actions earn them respect because they demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and compassion. These qualities are also essential for national leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                However, respect alone does not always translate into political opportunity when financial barriers become overwhelming.

                                                                                                                                                                The Danger of Allowing Money to Dominate Politics

                                                                                                                                                                When wealth becomes the primary gateway to political office, democracy risks losing some of its finest potential leaders. Honest citizens may feel excluded, public trust may decline, and corruption may become more likely if candidates seek to recover excessive campaign expenses after taking office.

                                                                                                                                                                A healthy democracy should encourage leaders who enter politics to serve, not merely to secure power or personal advantage.

                                                                                                                                                                Building a More Inclusive Democracy

                                                                                                                                                                To ensure that capable citizens from all backgrounds can compete fairly for leadership, nations can consider several practical reforms:

                                                                                                                                                                • Strengthen transparency in campaign financing.
                                                                                                                                                                • Promote equal access to media for qualified candidates.
                                                                                                                                                                • Encourage political parties to select candidates based on competence, integrity, and vision.
                                                                                                                                                                • Invest in civic education so voters evaluate policies and character rather than wealth alone.
                                                                                                                                                                • Enforce electoral laws that discourage corruption and the misuse of money during campaigns.

                                                                                                                                                                These reforms can help ensure that leadership remains open to all qualified citizens.

                                                                                                                                                                Proverbs for Reflection

                                                                                                                                                                “A crown rests more securely on a head guided by wisdom than on one supported by wealth.”

                                                                                                                                                                “Money may buy a campaign, but only character earns lasting respect.”

                                                                                                                                                                “The richest leader is not the one with the largest fortune, but the one who serves the people faithfully.”

                                                                                                                                                                “Integrity builds a nation; greed weakens it.”

                                                                                                                                                                “A nation prospers when it values character above possessions.”

                                                                                                                                                                A Message to Future Leaders

                                                                                                                                                                If you come from a humble background, do not allow poverty to define your ambitions. Invest in education, develop your leadership skills, serve your community faithfully, and maintain your integrity. While financial obstacles are real, history has shown that determination, wisdom, and consistent service can inspire trust and open unexpected opportunities.

                                                                                                                                                                Likewise, citizens should evaluate leaders by their vision, competence, honesty, and commitment to the common good rather than by their personal wealth.

                                                                                                                                                                Conclusion

                                                                                                                                                                It is difficult for a poor person with a good reputation to become president in many countries because of financial barriers, political structures, public perceptions, and unequal access to resources. However, these challenges should not be accepted as permanent or inevitable. Democracies are strongest when they provide equal opportunities for capable leaders, regardless of their economic background.

                                                                                                                                                                The Bible reminds us that God values the heart above outward appearance, while philosophy teaches that virtue is the foundation of good leadership. Practical experience confirms that some of the most respected individuals in society are those who serve others with humility rather than those who possess great wealth.

                                                                                                                                                                As Proverbs 29:2 declares:

                                                                                                                                                                “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

                                                                                                                                                                May every nation strive to build political systems where integrity, competence, justice, and service matter more than wealth, so that every qualified citizen has the opportunity to lead and every generation can hope for governments that truly serve the people.

                                                                                                                                                                Bro. Christopher Akong

                                                                                                                                                                muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                                                [?]KrissyKat » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                @KrissyKat@hoosier.social

                                                                                                                                                                No trespassing signs aimed at federal agents.

                                                                                                                                                                No trespassing signs telling federal agents they cannot enter.

                                                                                                                                                                Alt...No trespassing signs telling federal agents they cannot enter.

                                                                                                                                                                  muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                                                  [?]Warner Crocker » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                  @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social

                                                                                                                                                                  It’s not just a cult running things in the White House, it’s a death cult.

                                                                                                                                                                  Exclusive | Medicare Part D Premiums Set to Rise as Trump Ends Subsidy

                                                                                                                                                                  archive.ph/QGEl9

                                                                                                                                                                    muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                                                    [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                    @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                                    The plot thickens on the Fascist Frog's donations directly & indirectly from George Cottrell, while police investigations continue.

                                                                                                                                                                    There will come a point, as I have already suggested, when the Frog declares he cannot possibly take part in an by-election among such negative publicity & (he will say erroneous) claims about his & ReformUK's financing... and pull out of the Clacton by-election, leaving him free to take up his new job in the USA.


                                                                                                                                                                    theguardian.com/politics/2026/

                                                                                                                                                                      muddle 🥣 boosted

                                                                                                                                                                      [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                      @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                                      As Lou Doyle observes, whatever we think of recent pronouncements & proposals from Andy Burnham on skilled education....

                                                                                                                                                                      'Nobody should expect a devolved skills strategy to undo a class-coded hierarchy that’s taken decades to settle. It will fail if we once again place the solutions to broader societal challenges on the shoulders of teachers'!

                                                                                                                                                                      Spot on: once again it blames the victims for class-based structural inequality!

                                                                                                                                                                      feweek.co.uk/burnham-parity-of

                                                                                                                                                                        Draken BlackKnight boosted

                                                                                                                                                                        [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                        @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                                                        Defends Data-Wiping Function That Blocked US Search

                                                                                                                                                                        pcmag.com/news/grapheneos-defe

                                                                                                                                                                          [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                          @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                                                          ‘The Government Hopes To Set a Precedent’: An Interview With the Man Charged for Allegedly Wiping His Phone

                                                                                                                                                                          404media.co/the-government-hop

                                                                                                                                                                            [?]The New Oil » 🤖 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                            @thenewoil@mastodon.thenewoil.org

                                                                                                                                                                            'I Would Never Do This To You:' Protesting , Man Presents Plan to Surveil Government Officials

                                                                                                                                                                            404media.co/casa-grande-arizon

                                                                                                                                                                              JJDavis :terminal: boosted

                                                                                                                                                                              [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                              @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                                              Our political class generally, and the current Govt. in particular, often depict actions to respond to climate change as too expensive & detrimental to growth (and by extension out economic wellbeing);

                                                                                                                                                                              so its no surprise that when specialised agencies conclude that actually *not* responding to climate change is more costly, and that climate change itself is endangering our security, such reports are buried (until someone finds them, that is).


                                                                                                                                                                              thenerve.news/p/caroline-lucas

                                                                                                                                                                                Paul Cantrell boosted

                                                                                                                                                                                [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                                @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                                                And so we find ourselves where we knew we'd end up... the Home Office using AI-generated slop (a document that doesn't;t exist) to refuse an asylum claim.

                                                                                                                                                                                AI & its associated technologies are having clear & consequential effects, yet they no doubt will allow Home Office officials to escape censure for lying & misrepresentation;

                                                                                                                                                                                'it was the machine what done it, M'lud'.

                                                                                                                                                                                Court's will need to be more sceptical of HO claims from now on!

                                                                                                                                                                                theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/j

                                                                                                                                                                                  [?]stux⚡️ » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                                  @stux@mstdn.social

                                                                                                                                                                                  Instead of making voting harder they should make it harder to become President or get into politics

                                                                                                                                                                                  When you become 80 you need to do tests to see if you’re fit to drive a car but somehow it’s okay to governor a country?

                                                                                                                                                                                  If there is a minimum age limit, there should be a maximum age limit

                                                                                                                                                                                    [?]Christopher Akong » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                                    @christopherakong.wordpress.com@christopherakong.wordpress.com

                                                                                                                                                                                    There Should Be a Balance Between Politicians and the Masses in a Country

                                                                                                                                                                                    Every stable, peaceful, and progressive nation depends on a healthy relationship between its political leaders and its citizens. Politicians are elected or appointed to serve the people, while the masses are expected to participate responsibly in national development. When there is balance between politicians and the masses, democracy becomes stronger, public trust increases, and national progress becomes possible. However, when politicians become disconnected from the people, leadership may […] [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

                                                                                                                                                                                    Every stable, peaceful, and progressive nation depends on a healthy relationship between its political leaders and its citizens. Politicians are elected or appointed to serve the people, while the masses are expected to participate responsibly in national development. When there is balance between politicians and the masses, democracy becomes stronger, public trust increases, and national progress becomes possible.

                                                                                                                                                                                    However, when politicians become disconnected from the people, leadership may turn into privilege, power may become oppression, and public institutions may lose their purpose. In the same way, when citizens refuse to participate responsibly, ignore national duties, or expect government to solve every personal problem, development may become slow and difficult.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A country is like a human body. The head cannot function successfully without the rest of the body, and the body cannot move in the right direction without proper guidance from the head. Politicians and the masses must therefore work together with mutual respect, accountability, justice, responsibility, and a shared vision.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the African proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    A nation cannot go far when its leaders and citizens are moving in opposite directions.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians Are Servants of the People

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political leadership should never be understood merely as a position of power, wealth, influence, or personal advantage. True leadership is a responsibility to serve, protect, guide, and improve the lives of the people.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible teaches in Mark 10:43–45:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Jesus Christ presented leadership as service rather than domination. Although He had authority, He demonstrated humility, compassion, sacrifice, and care for others. This provides an important theological model for political leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A politician should therefore ask:

                                                                                                                                                                                    • How can I improve the lives of the people?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • How can I create opportunities for young people?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • How can I protect the poor, the elderly, children, workers, and vulnerable citizens?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • How can I use public resources honestly?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • How can I leave the country better than I found it?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political office is temporary, but the consequences of leadership may remain for generations.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A wise leader understands that public power is a trust, not personal property. Government resources belong to the nation and must be managed for the benefit of all citizens.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “A leader who listens to the people will never be far from the truth.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Masses Also Have Responsibilities

                                                                                                                                                                                    Balance does not mean that politicians must carry every responsibility while citizens remain passive. Nation-building is a shared duty.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Citizens must obey lawful rules, pay taxes where required, protect public property, participate in elections, contribute to their communities, respect the rights of others, and hold leaders accountable through peaceful and lawful means.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible teaches in Romans 13:7:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “Give to everyone what you owe them.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    This reminds us that society functions properly when people fulfil their responsibilities. Citizens should not only demand good roads, quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and security; they should also contribute to building the nation through honesty, hard work, innovation, discipline, and community service.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A country cannot develop if citizens destroy public property, promote corruption, spread false information, avoid responsibility, or support leaders only because of tribal, family, religious, or personal interests.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Good leadership requires responsible citizenship.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “The village that refuses to repair its road should not complain when the journey becomes difficult.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Importance of Mutual Respect

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians should respect the dignity, intelligence, needs, and opinions of the masses. Citizens are not merely voters to be remembered during elections. They are human beings whose voices, experiences, and concerns matter every day.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Likewise, citizens should communicate their concerns respectfully and avoid violence, hatred, insults, and unnecessary destruction. Disagreement is natural in a democracy, but disagreement should not become hostility.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible says in Philippians 2:3–4:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    This principle can strengthen political relationships. When leaders consider the needs of the people and citizens consider the common good, national unity becomes stronger.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Respect creates dialogue. Dialogue creates understanding. Understanding creates cooperation. Cooperation creates development.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Philosophical Meaning of Political Balance

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that a stable society depends on balance, justice, and the pursuit of the common good. He understood that government should not exist only to benefit a small group but to promote the welfare of society.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political power without accountability can become dangerous. Public demands without responsibility can also create disorder. Balance is therefore necessary.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A healthy political system should contain:

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Leaders who listen to the people.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Citizens who participate responsibly.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Laws that apply fairly to everyone.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Institutions that protect justice.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Public resources that benefit the nation.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Freedom of expression accompanied by responsibility.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Accountability without hatred or violence.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The purpose of politics should not be to create divisions but to organise society for the common good.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “When the roots are united, the branches can withstand the storm.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    A united country can overcome economic hardship, political challenges, social conflict, and national crises.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Theological Lessons on Justice and Leadership

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible repeatedly teaches that leaders must defend justice and protect those who are vulnerable.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Proverbs 29:2 says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    This verse reveals an important truth: leadership directly affects the emotional, social, and economic condition of the people. Good leadership brings hope, confidence, peace, and progress. Poor leadership may produce fear, frustration, inequality, and suffering.

                                                                                                                                                                                    In Micah 6:8, God calls people:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Justice, mercy, and humility should guide politicians and citizens alike. A leader who acts with justice earns respect. A citizen who acts with integrity strengthens the nation.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Theologically, authority is not a licence to exploit others. It is a responsibility to serve with wisdom and accountability.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Every political leader should remember that human beings may judge leadership through elections, public opinion, and institutions, but God also judges the use of power.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Practical Life Experience: A Community That Works Together

                                                                                                                                                                                    Imagine a community with poor roads, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate public services. The citizens may blame the government, while political leaders may blame the citizens for lack of cooperation.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Nothing changes when both sides only blame each other.

                                                                                                                                                                                    But suppose the leaders organise public meetings, listen to the people, publish development plans, manage public funds transparently, and involve communities in decision-making. At the same time, citizens protect public facilities, contribute ideas, support lawful development projects, and hold leaders accountable respectfully.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Progress becomes possible because cooperation replaces conflict.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The same principle applies to a nation. Government may provide opportunities, but citizens must use them responsibly. Leaders may create policies, but people must participate in making those policies successful.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “One hand cannot tie a bundle.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    National development requires many hands working together.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians Must Listen Beyond Election Periods

                                                                                                                                                                                    One major problem in many countries is that some politicians become highly visible during election campaigns but become distant after winning power.

                                                                                                                                                                                    True leadership should not begin during elections and end after votes are counted. Politicians should maintain communication with the people throughout their time in office.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Listening to citizens helps leaders understand:

                                                                                                                                                                                    • The cost of living.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Unemployment challenges.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • The needs of young people.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Problems in education and healthcare.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • The struggles of farmers and workers.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Concerns about safety and public services.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • The realities experienced by poor and vulnerable communities.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A leader who does not listen may make decisions based only on reports, while the people experience a different reality.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible says in Proverbs 18:13:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Listening is not weakness. It is wisdom.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Masses Must Hold Leaders Accountable

                                                                                                                                                                                    Citizens should not worship politicians or treat them as people who cannot be questioned. Political leaders are public servants and should be accountable for their decisions.

                                                                                                                                                                                    However, accountability should be based on truth, evidence, lawful processes, and constructive engagement.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Citizens should ask:

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Were campaign promises pursued?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Are public resources being used responsibly?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Are government projects benefiting communities?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Are laws being applied fairly?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Are leaders protecting national interests?
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Are young people receiving meaningful opportunities?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Accountability is not hatred. It is a necessary part of responsible democracy.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A citizen who asks questions is not automatically an enemy of the government. Sometimes, honest questions help leaders identify problems and improve their performance.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “The person who points out a crack in the wall may be helping to save the house.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Avoiding Political Division

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political competition should never destroy national unity. People may support different political parties while still respecting one another as citizens of the same country.

                                                                                                                                                                                    No political party owns the nation. No leader is greater than the country. Governments may change, but the people remain.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political differences should not divide families, communities, workplaces, churches, or friendships. Citizens must learn to debate ideas without attacking human dignity.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible teaches in Romans 12:18:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Peace does not mean that people must agree on everything. It means that disagreements should be handled with maturity, respect, and wisdom.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A nation becomes stronger when citizens place national unity above political hostility.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A Balance Between Rights and Responsibilities

                                                                                                                                                                                    Every citizen has rights, including the right to dignity, justice, security, participation, and lawful freedom of expression. At the same time, every citizen has responsibilities.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Rights without responsibility may create disorder. Authority without accountability may create oppression.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Balance requires both.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians must respect the rights of the people, while citizens must respect the laws and rights of others. Leaders must provide direction, while citizens must participate in development.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The relationship should not be:

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians against the masses.

                                                                                                                                                                                    It should be:

                                                                                                                                                                                    Politicians and the masses working together for the nation.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Building Trust Between Government and Citizens

                                                                                                                                                                                    Trust is one of the greatest foundations of national stability. When citizens trust their leaders, they are more likely to cooperate with national programmes. When leaders trust citizens, they are more likely to encourage participation and open dialogue.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Trust is built through:

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Honesty.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Transparency.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Consistency.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Accountability.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Fairness.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Respect.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Fulfilment of promises.
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Responsible communication.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Trust cannot be demanded; it must be earned.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A government that communicates openly with citizens can reduce misinformation and public fear. Citizens who seek facts before spreading information can prevent unnecessary conflict.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “Trust is built slowly but can be destroyed in a moment.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Role of Young People in Political Balance

                                                                                                                                                                                    Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are active citizens of today. Their ideas, energy, creativity, education, and innovation are essential to national development.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political leaders should create opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making, education, entrepreneurship, employment, technology, agriculture, and community development.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Young people should also avoid allowing themselves to be used for political violence, intimidation, or hatred.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The future of a country should not be sacrificed for the ambitions of a few individuals.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Young citizens must develop knowledge, skills, character, and critical thinking. They should support policies based on national benefit rather than empty promises.

                                                                                                                                                                                    As the proverb says:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “The child who is taught to build will not grow up to destroy.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Conclusion: A Nation Must Move Together

                                                                                                                                                                                    There should be a healthy balance between politicians and the masses in every country. Politicians need the trust, participation, ideas, and cooperation of the people. The masses need responsible, accountable, compassionate, and visionary leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Leaders must not see citizens as tools for gaining power. Citizens must not see government as the only source of personal progress. Both must recognise that national development is a shared responsibility.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Political leadership should be guided by service, justice, humility, and accountability. Citizenship should be guided by responsibility, participation, honesty, and peaceful engagement.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Bible says in Psalm 133:1:

                                                                                                                                                                                    “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

                                                                                                                                                                                    Unity does not mean that everyone must have the same political opinion. It means that people should work together despite their differences for the peace and progress of their country.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A nation rises when leaders serve with integrity and citizens participate with responsibility.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A nation becomes stronger when politicians listen to the masses and the masses cooperate with good leadership.

                                                                                                                                                                                    A nation moves forward when power is balanced by accountability and rights are balanced by responsibility.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Let politicians lead with humility. Let the masses participate with wisdom. Let justice guide public decisions. Let truth strengthen democracy. Let unity overcome political division.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Because the future of a country does not belong only to politicians or only to the masses—it belongs to everyone.

                                                                                                                                                                                    “When leaders and citizens walk together, the nation does not lose its way.”

                                                                                                                                                                                    This article follows your preferred professional, motivational, single-spacing style, uses British English, and includes SEO-friendly headings suitable for Google indexing.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Bro Christopher Akong

                                                                                                                                                                                    [?]Emeritus Prof. Christopher May » 🌐
                                                                                                                                                                                    @ChrisMayLA6@mastodon.me.uk

                                                                                                                                                                                    Austerity has come to astrophysics, with The Science & Technology Facilities Council (distributor of public research funds) pulling *all* funding from the e-Merlin a group of 7 UK radio telescopes, including the Lovell at Jodrell Bank, which (as The FT notes) 'make up one of the world’s most powerful networks for astronomical observations'....

                                                                                                                                                                                    To be fair to Andy Burnham its likely this decision was made before his coronation, but its not a good look (not good for science)

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