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paulbenthamesq.bsky.social
Looking for somewhere that isn’t Mos Eiseley…
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It’s worth remembering that in September 2019, the same US President scrapped a Pandemic Early Warning Program. Now he’s cutting the CDC (Centre for Disease Control). It won’t bring about another pandemic - but will it be a coincidence if another occurs? www.theguardian.com/world/2020/a...

We’re at the point where journalists have to ask basic leading questions at *every* press conference. Questions like: “Who started the war in Ukraine?” He has to be forced to either prove every factually inaccurate claim or retract it - and the media are failing to uphold this most basic duty

I only saw a bit of the #BAFTAs but I was rather underwhelmed by the pedestrian, under-prepared ‘banter’ that preceded the “And the winner is…”. Having written an Awards script myself, it amazes me that so little effort went into such a big production. resonation.biz/2023/01/07/r...

I’m often impressed by anything Steve Coogan does so I wanted to watch this. I remember Brian Walden’s ‘Weekend World’ being on TV but wasn’t old enough to appreciate it. This tale of his encounters with Thatcher is the best thing I’ve seen this year: www.channel4.com/programmes/b...

This made me happy, So it can’t be that bad…

It’s unsurprising and fitting that the last Black Sabbath show sold out so quickly, leaving thousands of fans have unable to watch it. Given the demand and the significance, surely it makes sense for someone like Netflix or the BBC to screen it live… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

“Land Of The Free” latest… #TrumpIsAFelon

The official line on geographic re-naming is that there’s always been a need for fluidity to accommodate entrenched local politics. So if anyone can re-name anything, why don’t we use: The Gulf of Class The Gulf of Propriety The Gulf of Understanding www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

It’s 2025 and we’re reading contemporary headlines in which the words ‘Munich’ and ‘Appeasement’ appear prominently. Even people who failed History at school will be able to tell you that’s not a good sign… www.standard.co.uk/news/world/d...

I’ve just watched ‘Kes’ again and now I’m going to bed questioning the whole point of human existence…

I’ve loved seeing the technological advances of the last four decades but amongst the many wonders of our age are a small number of unsavoury associated developments Work-based group chats are among the least edifying developments of the Internet era… www.bbc.com/news/article...

Drumming will always be beyond my capabilities. Yesterday, at a red light, I managed to car-drum to something with my left foot going at 2 to the beat, my right hand at 4 and my left hand at 1. As soon as I realised I was actually doing it right, I lasted about 2 bars and lost it. #Beaten

Every day I get closer to understanding how it must have felt when the incoming Senator was Caligula's horse.

A fake billionaire is letting a fake genius destroy America because a bunch of fake patriots are too stupid, too entitled and too hateful to understand the difference between what is fake news and what is fact.

Imagine if all the other 209 countries of the world just said to Trump “We’re not going to trade with the US until *you* start behaving rationally and responsibly”. How many months of true isolationism would it take before this so-called ‘Master Of The Deal’ had to back down? #CollectiveBargaining

Click on this for the instant LoLs and inter-generational baiting. Then stay for the utter dread of self-inflicted existential threat… www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

In the final years of her life, in the mid 00s, my Grandma struck up a friendship with her neighbour, Dee, who told her she’d worked at Bletchley Park during the War. I met her a couple of times and wish I’d asked her more about her recollections. www.zdnet.com/pictures/rec...

“In an electorate of 49 million, if almost two million aren’t able to vote because they don’t have the right ID, there is a problem” northwestbylines.co.uk/politics/hav...

I found this last week: a 53 year-old, 3-part travelogue on town planning. It sounds dull but it’s quite brilliant. Nairn’s clear thinking, big-picture vision & disdain for mediocrity have been sadly lacking for decades. I highly recommend you watch it: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

It’s been a stunningly good week to listen to @BBCRadio3, with its commemoration of #HolocaustMemorialDay and specially-themed programmes all week. Lots to learn and reflect on but this, Monday’s Breakfast Show, from Auschwitz, was particularly special: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Five years on. Not a single clear, universally accepted, reason to prove it was anything than a colossal waste of time/money/opportunity. Apart from passport colour and the reinforcement of some very dubious ‘feelings’. Well done, Britain… 👏👏👏 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Not the most flattering optics for the current Israeli leadership on Holocaust Memorial Day, is it? 'My home is no longer there': Palestinians return to north Gaza www.bbc.com/news/article...

A very interesting piece on ‘Tweeness’, our increasing tendency to use pop culture & cliché as surrogates for meaningful debate about serious issues. We all do it - and it’s not inherently bad - but it can act as a tempting refuge from deeper reflection… medium.com/@irene_68410...

30 years ago, I was listening to this game on the radio in my room at University. On hearing it, I then had to wait 2 hours to be able to see it on that evenings #MotD. It felt seismic then. Not sure it would be so much now.

Their faith lets them worship power while they’re offended by mercy. It’s not Christianity they’re practicing.

Here we go …

If you see this post, quote with a bridge from your gallery.

Shouldn’t the war in Ukraine be over by now? 🤷🏻‍♂️🧭🍊

Today’s Observer cartoon.

As much as I’d love to go back to Monterey one day to see them again, the idea of going on a whale-watching trip from the UK at some point is a tantalising prospect… apple.news/AWy1O7--XRyC...

When I was a kid I was given the programme to the 1969 European Cup semi-final (2nd leg) between Manchester United and AC Milan. It featured this official photo of the United team, presumably taken the summer before, the holders of the trophy…

Terrible news. The King is dead. 👑 www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

According to Wikipedia, the definition of the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ stretches from 1927-1960, which is quite vague as a signpost to what this actually means. Perhaps the era of McCarthyism (1947-1959) would be a more specific, more relevant indicator…

It may be very well-written and incredibly perceptive but that doesn’t mean I want it to be true… www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2...

I used to love watching ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ in its 90s heyday and I particularly loved it when Tony Slattery was one of the performers because he was quicker, madder and just funnier than everyone else. What a sad day. >Tony Slattery dies aged 65 www.bbc.com/news/article...

I’d like to thank the BBC for choosing to screen the United match today because I’ve been watching the Tot… ……………………………………….. …………..tenham game on ITVX and it’s been intolerable.