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Paul Davey

@pauldavey.bsky.social
358 followers 423 following 63 posts

Pronounces schedule as "shedule" not "skedule" Un-populist, catmatic & possiblist Believer in universal human rights & cats Also @pauldavey@mastodon.social & @theplatformformallyknownastwitter

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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
www.reuters.com/world/russia... "Russia has stationed forces at Qamishli airport in the northeast since 2019, a relatively small deployment compared to its air base and a naval facility on Syria's Mediterranean coast, both of which it is expected to maintain."
reuters.com
Russia withdrawing troops from airport in northeast Syria, sources say
Russia is withdrawing forces from an airport in northeastern Syria, moving to end its military presence in a corner of the country where the Damascus government is trying to seize control from Kurdish...
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Reposted by Paul Davey
Karl Flinders @karlfl.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
I never write opinion pieces and stick to fact and analysis, but I made an exception for this one. #PostOfficeScandal www.computerweekly.com/opinion/MPs-...
computerweekly.com
MPs could be unintentionally going easy on tech ‘parasite’ in Post Office scandal bill | Computer Weekly
Fujitsu’s Post Office scandal bill should be a share of a figure much higher than the £1.8bn compensation costs cited in a Parliamentary committee.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Some folks don't or won't learn even from their own experience. "Judge Gerald Anderson, who oversaw the case, sentenced Aniyunwiya to 30 months in prison. This sentence was 18 months longer than his last prison sentence for doing the same thing in 2022."
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
3/3 Most UK ambassadors (with occasional exceptions, eg to Washington) are career diplomats. UK civil services has a different tradition to US with a more apolitical & impartial role even at top levels But any ambassador has to faithfully represent their gov. Replacing ~30 suggests a lack of trust.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
2/3 The US often has political appointee ambassadors to high profile posts (often a career diplomat is deputy) Much of what any embassy does is routine, but local face to face meetings and relationships build & sustain trust. Sudden & wide scale disruption is unlikely to be helpful in the long run
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
The State Department said "An ambassador is a personal representative of the president." And there was I thinking an ambassador is a representative of a nation-state's government, (even if they speak on behalf of that government and its head). L'etat c'est moi?
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Reminded me of this: “...whenever I see one, I get this feeling that it might be the last one left out there. You know? The last coyote. And I guess that would bother me if it ever turned out to be true, if I never saw one again.” www.michaelconnelly.com/writing/thel...
michaelconnelly.com
The Last Coyote (1995) - Michael Connelly
The Last Coyote, a Harry Bosch novel, by Michael Connelly
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
"Overall, Grokipedia gives off the impression of a site where topics and people that Elon Musk likes or supports are presented without framings that cast any doubt on their validity, and those he dislikes are presented with criticism front-and-center." #grottypedia gizmodo.com/elon-musks-v...
gizmodo.com
Elon Musk's Version of Wikipedia Is Live. Here's How It's Different
Grokipedia exists. You can read it if you want.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Maybe they thought UK audiences would relate better to holidaymakers' stories? But that is no excuse not to report on the impact on the local population, particularly those poorest hit hardest. But the whole island has been in lockdown, so TV crews are probably stuck in hotels with guests & staff.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
A picture of a laughing Liz Truss (49 days as UK Prime Minister) behind a pensive looking Sébastien Lecornu (26 days as French Prime Minister).
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Reposted by Paul Davey
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Don’t think I’ve ever muttered the words “fuck me sideways” quite so much reading a story as this one.
nytimes.com
They Asked an A.I. Chatbot Questions. The Answers Sent Them Spiraling.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
May be of interest to @drsarteschi.bsky.social (who writes and posts about #sovereigncitizens in Canada and elsewhere)
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Suppose I attack Martians. Can I say they should be killed? In an abstract proposal or by a mob in Paris on (say) Jan 6th? Can I spread lies about how they carried out 9/11 to encourage hatred and violence? Does it matter when, where and how I say it? What if I sincerely believe them a threat?
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
It would be interesting to chart how similar statements would be handled in different cases in US, UK & other Variants of target - specific or vague, calling for direct or indirect violence When is a ban (or restrictions) proportional? www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/l... www.lawble.co.uk/freedom-of-s...
findlaw.com
Not-So-Free Speech: 5 Limits on 1st Amendment Rights - FindLaw
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from "abridging the freedom of speech." But what does this freedom of speech encompass?
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
2/2 “Donald Trump clearly does not understand soft power and undercuts it by actions such as abolishing USAID, silencing the Voice of America, threatening allies and belittling climate change. China values soft power — and stands ready to fill the vacuum that Trump is creating.”
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
1/2 Joseph Nye, who coined the term Soft Power, died this month. His final published words were on the vacuum Trump is leaving China to fill. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_... www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... www.ft.com/content/eabb...
ft.com
Farewell to Joseph Nye — and to US soft power too?
As Trump withdraws aid from the neediest around the world, China is filling the vacuum
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
There was a fair bit of publicity when Kubrick's estate gave permission. And it sold quickly. Adaptor/Director is Armando Iannucci (Veep, The Thick of It and The Day Today, and On The Hour where he first cast Coogan as Alan Partridge). www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta... www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ikq...
youtube.com
Armando Iannucci on a new stage version of Dr Strangelove, starring Steve Coogan | BFI Q&A
YouTube video by BFI
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
We would like to apologise for the unexpected power outage at platform 1. This is due to leaves on the line
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Probably an uphill struggle in practice, but when would actions like this cross the line of legality by acting in bad faith, or with "deliberate wrongdoing or recklessness"? www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/governance/3...
localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Member and officer indemnities
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
He's still holding up the wrong finger...🖕
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Whichever system you think is better, (for whatever reasons) there is a lot of information for manufacturers who want to export or import, and who need to follow local regulations. Nutrition and ingredient labelling rules vary, but some ingredients are banned. rdrglobalpartners.com/blog/eu-vs-u...
rdrglobalpartners.com
EU vs. US Food Regulations: Understanding the Key Differences
Discover the distinctions in EU vs. US food regulations and how they influence the global food industry. Stay compliant and ensure consumer safety.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
This article lists some products (incl Kraft’s Mac & Cheese) with different ingredients in EU/UK versions due to bans or restrictions. www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/11/food...
foodsafetynews.com
Food safety standards: Is bridging the international divide possible?
-- OPINION -- By Julie Chapon, Co-founder and CEO of Yuka  Food safety regulations remain a critical concern globally, particularly as consumers become
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
The UK (& EU) generally uses a precautionary principle, with stricter regulations on additives, pesticide residues, & foodborne disease prevention. So the USA allows carcinogens like Potassium Bromate (KBrO3) & Azodicarbonamide (ADA) clearborder.co.uk/resource/com... eatwell.uky.edu/sites/defaul...
Heading of a pdf from University of Kentucky
UNITED STATES VS. EUROPE: What’s in Your Food?
WHY THE DIFFERENCE?
Rules about food additives are generally stricter in the European Union (EU) versus the United States (US). The US tends to wait until an ingredient is flagged as dangerous before taking action, while
the EU tends to be more proactive in banning such ingredients.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
These guys must be turning in their graves.
A group of eleven men dressed in early 20th-century formal attire, seated around a table with teapots and cups, against a wooden backdrop.
These were the men known as members of Dr Harvey Washington Wiley's 'Poison Squad' who tested adulterated foods and paved the way for the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, the first federal regulations safeguarding American consumers.
(Source Flickr: US Food and Drug Administration)
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
The BBC has more details on this bio-piracy. The demand for rare insect species to be kept as pets is increasing. Protected by international bio-diversity treaties, trade in giant African harvester ants, is highly regulated. They grow to 20mm and are worth up to $220. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Ant smugglers caught with hundreds of prized insects in Kenya
It is believed the ants were destined for exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Most people agree in principle with fairer taxes & more effective govt spending But the devil is in the detail. Not only What would be fairer & If it works, but also How to implement @danneidle.bsky.social has written a lot about wealth taxes, (not a fan) & LVT: thenegotiator.co.uk/news/regulat...
thenegotiator.co.uk
Scrap council tax, business rates and stamp duty for land value tax says think tank
Tax Policy Associates says cutting stamp duty increases house prices and previous attempts to provide relief for first-time buyers have all proved to be ineffective.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Performative seems to be going the same way as literally, being misused so often that it is becoming a contranym. What they mean is non-performative, but sloppy language makes me so annoyed that I could illiterally die. 🫡
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
There is a huge loophole in the bans on foreign & anon donations to MPs & political parties. Anyone can form & give money to an unincorporated organisation, which can then donate £37k pa with virtually no external oversight. Create another to give more... commonslibrary.parliament.uk/foreign-poli...
electoralcommission.org.uk
Unincorporated associations
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Which in turn just led me to this gem: joshblackman.com/blog/2014/05...
Page 1 of letter lawyer Tom Goldstein
wrote on behalf of Dan Bilzerian to Shoham Soluki, the lawyer of Porn Star Jance Griffith.

For text of the letter suitable for screen readers see
https://www.reddit.com/r/legal/comments/wrzgv0/tom_goldstein_and_dan_bilzarian_insane_response/?rdt=54825

Page 2 of letter lawyer Tom Goldstein
wrote on behalf of Dan Bilzerian to Shoham Soluki, the lawyer of Porn Star Jance Griffith.

For text of the letter suitable for screen readers see
https://www.reddit.com/r/legal/comments/wrzgv0/tom_goldstein_and_dan_bilzarian_insane_response/?rdt=54825
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Thanks. I see several other people mentioned it in the wider thread, which I should have guessed. I enjoyed the Cleveland stadium one as well. Arkell v Pressdram brings a lot of hits if searched for online, but I just looked more widely and found this www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/s... ...
findlaw.com
The 'F U' Response Letter: 5 Tips for Writing One - FindLaw
On Tuesday, we looked at two recent "F U letters." These letters, sent in response to legal claims that the recipient felt were lacking in merit, are not of the "let's settle this peacefully" variety ...
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Gotta include the UK satirical magazine Private Eye's infamous shorthand response to legal threats “We refer you to the reply given in the case of Arkell v Pressdram”. web.archive.org/web/20220524... (Pressdram Ltd is Private Eye’s publisher).
  Dear Sirs,

    We acknowledge your letter of 29th April referring to Mr. J. Arkell.

    We note that Mr Arkell’s attitude to damages will be governed by the nature of our reply and would therefore be grateful if you would inform us what his attitude to damages would be, were he to learn that the nature of our reply is as follows: fuck off.

    Yours,
    Private Eye
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
I can't decide if #TrumpsTariffs are closer to Brexit promises to "make Britain Great again... soon... eventually..." (Never) or the beginning of a #TrussLettuce meltdown "Trust me, I know what I'm doing" The 1st is more likely (pain now, pain later), but it seems closer in mind-set to the 2nd
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Agreed. I didn't have space to add that if Civil or Human Rights are not Universal, then they are all too easily soon diminished. If they ain't Universal, they ain't worth the paper. Take away rights from criminals, "bad people" or the devil; sooner or later, someone takes them away from you.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Good quote (and play), but there's not much to discuss. ks.echr.coe.int/documents/d/... Guide on ECHR Article 17 (Prohibition of abuse of rights) From the Introduction 2. The text of Article 17 is derived from Article 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). (as I'd expected)
ks.echr.coe.int
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
👁️ That's a very good idea. Mostly we all use "Like" on any of the social networks to mean, "See this" 👁️, or "I think it's worth noting" 📝 Not necessarily "I agree" 👍 or "I love this" ❤️. If we kept the heart maybe there should be another reaction icon for "important". How about it @bsky.app?
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
I'm not sure it would fix the HE funding crisis. And it perpetuates 18+ adults depending on their parents for HE access. Parents are expected, (based on income) but not _required_ to fund HE living costs; if they don't students suffer. It's unfair to penalise people for decisions of their parents.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Karl Popper defined it en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox... Given global challenges to usurp liberal democracy we must call out and debate intolerance. Popper didn't suggest generally banning intolerant "as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion"
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Reposted by Paul Davey
Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 28/03/2025
Forget the drink, this is a punctuation emergency
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
I think I've seen that story before...
Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy celebrate on the commodities trading floor after having made a killing short selling orange juice futures in Trading Places (1983)
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Bear going woods. Need toilet paper.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
It's a tough car market in Europe & tougher still in the UK, but there is opportunity. Hopefully Nyobolt will do better than British Volt., viz: "it was a brilliant idea but they lacked two things, [...] a proven technology, and customers" An analysis broadcast today: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
The Briefing Room - Is the push for the electric cars in trouble? - BBC Sounds
The government wants to end the sale of petrol cars by 2030.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Short answer: it depends, but always greener like for like than a combustion engine equivalent Long answer: a bigger production impact, but lower impact over lifetime through to recycling. ICVs are only greener if you already have one, never travel in it, or put it in landfill at end of life.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Separate to mindless & deplorable graffiti, surely increasing visitor numbers contribute to Antarctica's quicker destruction by climate change? (I doubt the various policies & CO2 offsets etc really protect the continental environment) See it now before your lifestyle choices help destroy it...
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
The important parts of what I said don't depend on the results of one poll. In any event, it seems that Dominion confused independence and free association, but the statehood category was still the largest vote. www-noticel-com.translate.goog/elecciones/t...
www-noticel-com.translate.goog
Más errores de Dominion: confirma que hubo resultados invertidos en plebiscito
El senador Thomas Rivera Schatz publicó la carta de Dominion sobre los resultados. La empresa Dominion Voting Systems informó a la Comisión Estatal de Elecciones (CEE) que sus máquinas invirtieron los...
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Double opt-in is the simplest way to comply with GDPR requirements, & as a one time action it's not as onerous as waiting for an email on every login (if you clear cookies regularly). (Support passkeys please!) If DOI confirmation link or code is random it should also prevent bogus signups & spam.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
An external observer view: The current status of PR is illogical & unfair. It should be up to its people to become the 51st S or alt. Their non–binding poll last month suggests it should be progressed. Just possibly the POTUS elect might support it– More chance than Greenland or Panama Canal change
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
The Interest-based marketing setting for Other Accounts suggests they can use targeted ads, but without sharing personal data. ... the products and offers you see when you're logged in to your email and social media accounts will relate to your interests. It defaulted to on for me (in UK)
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Seems the same in the UK, there are two settings, one for the PayPal site and one for others: Interest-based marketing in your other accounts If you turn it on, the products and offers you see when you're logged in to your email and social media accounts will relate to your interests.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 27/08/2024
Thanks. Interest is a significant cost, but the DHSC budget may include some social care and other obfuscated monies. Indisputable that healthcare costs are increasing as a proportion of overall public service costs esp. as others cut. Pic from DHSC 2022-3 report, I but can't say I follow it all.
Funding flows in the health and care system 2022-23 (per supplementary estimate).

Highlights - £187bn input to DHSC, of which £159bn to NHS England. Other funds of 3.2bn to local authorities, and other money to health education,  health security and medicine regulator agencies. 
Complex funding to Integrated Health Boards and money from Public Health Services to NHS & other providers.
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Paul Davey @pauldavey.bsky.social · 27/08/2024
It's more of a well publicised pseudo-story by a lobby group. Hunters claiming to be an ethnic minority?! "Despite Swales’ claims that a KC has backed his arguments, other experts have dismissed it along with Hunting Kind’s ecologically, and animal welfare arguments." bylinetimes.com/2024/08/22/f...
bylinetimes.com
Fox Hunting Group Believes it 'Unequivocally' Qualifies as Protected Minority Group and has Backing of Top Barrister
Ed Swales suggested Hunting groups face "horrendous problems" and that some animal rights groups qualify as "extremists" and should be on the "watch list of MI5"
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