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Alan Smith

@mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social
251 followers 648 following 1.5K posts

[Something vaguely political but non-committal] [Own views disclaimer] He/him

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Reposted by Alan Smith
Aster ID @aster.id · 30/09/2026
The modern research ecosystem of online tools and communities is controlled by for-profit companies. But we think that researchers should be the priority - not the product. So, we're announcing Aster ID: not-for-profit Atmosphere account hosting for researchers.
blog.aster.place
Announcing Aster - a home for researchers on the open web
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Bill @bill-of-lefts.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Respondebot superior
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Sara Gibbs @sararoseg.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
He imposed Shania Law
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026
My phone is starting to develop intermittent faults. I guess it must be coming up to its two-year planned obsolescence point.
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Roy Edroso @edroso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Fascists, it turns out, don't make the trains run on time but are very good as creating ugly firetraps
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
He is not wrong. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the reported 68 attacks that killed 223 people constituted crimes against humanity of murder under customary international law" - United Nations Special Rapporteur on U.S. Killing “Narco-Terrorists” at Sea www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
also needs "ugh, liberal democrats I guess"
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critical-hippo.bsky.social @critical-hippo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump tells us that his curiously named 'Triumphal Arch' will be used to store weapons. “There will be no facility like this anywhere in the world''. That's probably because no other nation is stupid enough to advertise where its weapons are stored.
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Ukraine Solidarity Campaign 🇺🇦✊🏽🚩 @ukrainesol.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
TUC Congress votes unanimously to stand with Ukraine At our TUC 2026 fringe meeting, PCS President Bev Laidlaw speaking. On right: Ivanna Khrapko, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. Chair: UCU exec member Vicky Blake On 16 September TUC Congress, the conference representing the vast majority…
ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org
TUC Congress votes unanimously to stand with Ukraine
At our TUC 2026 fringe meeting, PCS President Bev Laidlaw speaking. On right: Ivanna Khrapko, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. Chair: UCU exec member Vicky Blake On 16 September TUC Congress, the conference representing the vast majority of trade union members in the UK, voted unanimously for the motion from the National Union of Mineworkers demanding freedom for the jailed Zaporizhzhia nuclear workers and reaffirming UK union solidarity with Ukraine.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026
Theoretical, notional drones and sniper positions on his Arc d'Homme-Enfant because the corrupt US supreme court has shown it is willing to let the president do whatever he wants provided he appends “essential for national security” to it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Trump says triumphal arch will be military complex
Trump said the updated plans were at the request of the US military and for national security purposes.
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Michael E. Carter @deckofcarterhist.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In a world that actually wanted to address this, every country in the Western Hemisphere with a U.S. ambassador would expell them.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026
A bit giddy that Jarvis Cocker just played @commonerschoir.bsky.social and West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra's silly cover of The Ramones Blitzkrieg Bop. (4.33pm) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Radio 6 Music - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to Radio 6 Music on BBC Sounds
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026
On the one hand this could be treated as the shocking withdrawal from NATO of Slovakia. On the other hand the USA president has said pretty much the same thing so the deterrent effect of the treaty is already screwed.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026
Oh no, I liked the Proclaimers! (Well, I like the two songs that I knew.) I'm sad that I won't feel able to fully enjoy listening to those songs again.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026
AI video fakes of cavalry guards seem popular on Facebook. Along with AI videos of young soldiers showing deference to old former soldiers. I can't quite pin down what the purpose of these fakes is.
Screenshot of AI generated video of child holding birthday cake for horse, ceremonial cavalry wearing a bearskin hat
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026
Trump watches with envious eyes and draws his plans together
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 18/09/2026
Trump posts about a “new” deal with Greenland and Denmark which appears to be just about exactly the same as our current deal with them, but nobody tell him that.
Trump post: BREAKING NEWS: I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns. There will be NO COST to the United States! At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America. Additionally, from now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval. For over 100 years, Presidents have known the strategic importance of Greenland, but NONE of them were able to do anything about it. I am proud to be the President that permanently and conclusively addressed this very important situation. This is an “Infinite Life” Agreement, there is no end! We are very honored and proud of what has just taken place, and everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People. We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many. We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction. This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland, and all of our Allies. We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land. We will be very protective of it! This is a dream come true for the United States of America, one that is very important, historic, and special. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
my brilliant colleague @robertshrimsley.bsky.social on the threat from Elon Musk’s X platform www.ft.com/content/f270...
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
In other news, the Thieves Guild has warned of increased redundancies because of the increased use of AI to steal everyone's money
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
Did someone tell Kash Patel that he can't be FBI director under the current rules? (Side note: assuming the USA government thinks FBI agents should not be in the habit of breaking laws but thinks paying for sex work shouldn't count, wouldn't it be easier to stop sex work being a crime?)
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
Sometimes words and phrases mean different things to different people. There's a good reason serious texts start by defining their terms.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
Look at their faces. [Shudders]
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
There ain't gonna be an early election.
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Jessica Lussenhop @jlussenhop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Have you spit your coffee out yet this morning? www.propublica.org/article/dona...
propublica.org
Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch
The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 14/09/2026
Ploughshares are ineffective as an air defence system
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/09/2026
Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia.
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Rusudan Djakeli @rusudandjakeli.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The 654th consecutive day of protests in Georgia.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 13/09/2026
Today I learned that the actor who plays Reacher is called Alan. Is this the first popular Alan since Alan Rickman? (Hoping that my name might eventually become a cool name.)
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 13/09/2026
This was also the point at which I (in the UK) stopped thinking about USA's right wing extremist phase as a temporary aberration of a single leader and started thinking that democratic countries need to reorganise assuming the USA may be an opponent, if not outright enemy, to our democracies.
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Jen Mac @jen-m-a-c.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
🐦 In the birdsong game Dawn Chorus Quest we time travel to the solar punk era, when we've rewilded parts of our cities to welcome back the birds. "Not magic. Just gardening, at city scale, by people who care enough to try" says Pip bird-times.lovable.app #IndieDev #Gamedev #Rewilding #Birdsong
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Laura Phillips @lauraphillips.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
@alexwickham.bsky.social BREAKING: Reform UK have received £72 million in donations from crypto billionaires in 48 hours On Friday night Reform announced it had received a £36m donation from Ben Delo Now on Saturday they’ve announced a second £36m donation from Christopher Harborne
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 12/09/2026
@joetidy.bsky.social I assume this account that followed me is a clone. Thought you'd want to know so as to report it. bsky.app/profile/offi... (Related: why don't big media orgs create their own servers so people would know @bbc.[whatever] are real accounts?)
bsky.app
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flyingrodent @flyingrodent.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
An entire politics and worldview animated by a lively terror that somewhere, somebody might be eating a free cheese sandwich
Sharron Davies HoL MBE O
@sharrond62
x.com
Accept they're not free really are they? The cost the tax payer, when giving children a breakfast can be achieved for 50p at home. The cost to the tax payer is far far higher per breakfast than
50p
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026
I will miss Megan. Here's one of my favourite photos of her (far left, as always).
A picket line in the snow outside University of Leeds. Front centre a snowman holding a picket placard. On the left, Megan Povey with arm raised in a fist salute
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026
Fwiw, very much in a personal capacity, I don't agree with the TUC position. I think there needs to be a big increase in defence spending AND better public services, and I think ideally that should be paid for by wealth taxes. We're not living in peaceful times and the USA is adrift.
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Laleh Khalili @lalehkhalili.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Of course Kent police did nothing. Some of those that work forces Are the same that burn crosses
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 07/09/2026
This is brilliant! I wish I had thought of this when the UK government started banging on about British Values.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 07/09/2026
Mischievously highlighting @emmaburnell.bsky.social's thoughtful @labourlist.bsky.social piece about disagreeing by persuasion rather than discipline. (Because very occasionally it feels like that.)
Section in the text highlighted is: No-one in the Labour Party agrees with anyone else in the Labour Party. The full sentence ends: on every single issue.
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Sam @spinebusterkeaton.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I’m not sure if it’s just poorly written up - I dearly hope so because this being the Home Office response is unspeakable - but this is indeed at the end of the Guardian article at present: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Far-right protesters descend on Portsmouth after small boat arrival
Influencer livestreams event calling for men to travel to port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving
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critical-hippo.bsky.social @critical-hippo.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Zia Yusuf reminds me of the guys who thought it was cool to hang around with the bullies at school.
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Incredible war crimes, Incredible assassinations.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 05/09/2026
Re. previous repost, obviously there's a genuine huge concern that age verification is trying to deal with. But showing your ID to tech companies is really not the way.
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Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Age verification makes everyone less safe. Age verification makes everyone less safe. Age verification makes everyone less safe. Age verification makes everyone less safe. Age verification makes everyone less safe. Age verification makes everyone less safe.
techdirt.com
Hackers Had A Live Feed Of Every ID This Verification Company Scanned. For Over A Year.
From the very beginning of this recent obsession with identifying everyone online (yes, they like to call it "age" verification, but it always ends up as identity verification), we've been pointing out that it was a huge privacy nightmare waiting to happen. Or maybe it wasn't waiting. Maybe it was already happening. This week a...
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 05/09/2026
"Spontaneous protest" my ass.
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Margo Gontar @margogontar.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Childhood , when Russia is your neighbour . Kyiv , September 1 , 2026
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Sooz Kempner @soozuk.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Nadine Dorries interviewed by Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4 last night at Reform Party Conference. Nigel Farage is absolutely fine and actually laughing, not even worried, definitely. Original can be viewed here, it's quite a watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Et3...
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Our undercover reporter @scatatkins.bsky.social posed as a far right journalist at the Reform Conference, and got thrown out for asking difficult questions about Farage's corruption scandal.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 05/09/2026
My general thought on this issue is people whose vote is motivated by racism, fear-driven cruelty and selfishness are way less concerned about the moral conduct of the people they elect than progressive and moderate voters are. Like highlighting a candidate's tax dodging doesn't bother tax dodgers.
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Alan Smith @mralanjohnsmith.eurosky.social · 05/09/2026
Many of us on the left struggle with how the state should respond to right wing protests. They shouldn't soft pedal compared with how they treat progressive protests, but then we oppose how they treat progressive protests. If you oppose police involvement, is it for communities to police themselves?
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Matt Green @mattgreencomedy.com · 05/09/2026
Don't think of it as a protest, think of it as a "pre-riot"
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