Michelle- substack won’t “let “ me reply to your comment so I’m posting it here.
Michelle- I can absolutely relate to that & push on because you are gifted. I’m a theorist & while I could come up with myriads of ways to break supercomputers ++ I can barely figure out substack.
They’ve changed stuff along with everything also changing but I’m stuck between Apple 🍎 & Other but honestly the whole ship sailed when Gore facilitated the super info highway- I because I was there & the plans have been in motion a long time.
It’s difficult because of paywalls for say Tabbi or another v bright young man in Philly QTR I have so much a actual stuff but Tabbi uses FOIA && it’s unnecessary & causes him to be a year behind.
It is going to be the death knell for pubs. Too much has been weaponized. We shall see what will happen. The Lords are at least kicking up a fuss and telling the HoC to think again.
Some of what is proposed is unworkable. They should try enforcing the existing laws...
The UK is in deep self imposed shit that’s simply incomprehensible from the other side of the pond. I do understand that the exact same view of the US is probably felt by those overseas. What I simply don’t understand is the lack of freedom of speech, the kowtowing to Muslim immigrants and especially the seeming tolerance of the rape of your daughters. What the fuck has happened to the country of Shakespeare and Churchill? When will you show some pride in your long heritage?
Hmm, there is freedom of speech but people have to be prepared to go to court over it to prevent overreach. This is what is happening. I suspect this will happen in the US as well as the overreach appears to be growing.
With Muslim immigration, you need to realise that birth right citizenship stopped back in 1982. There is a pathway to citizenship but it is very hard and takes a long time. I have been through it. Not everyone qualifies.
The Muslim populations are concentrated in a few large cities. They make up 6% of the population (citizen and non citizen alike) and cover a wide range -- from non practicing to fanatic fundy, just as there are in the US (current pop 1.34% and a sizable increase from the last census of 1.1% -- the US has a much larger pop in any case)
Sharia Councils actually have no legal standing (unlike say Russia where Sharia Law is the law of the land in Chechnya -- thus making the Russian Federation an Islamic state with nukes, not a completely Christian national one).
Sharia Councils operate in the UK in much the same way that the Roman Catholic Council of Bishops act -- ie granting religious divorces. There has been a huge campaign in the UK to ensure that they are not given legal status, regardless of what certain commentators in the US appear to think. I suspect Sharia Councils operate in Michigan and other areas where the American Muslim population are and function in much the same way. Sometimes when Muslims do come to court, they are surprised to learn that Sharia Councils do not actually have any legal standing.
As for the grooming gangs -- the wheels of justice grind slow but they are being brought to justice. I would point that the reporters in the US should be looking at what is happening to vulnerable girls in federal care. There is evidence that the Biden admin did not care and released a number into dubious custody where they would most likely be exploited. Simply because it is not being reported on in the US doesn't mean it is not happening.
Finally, yes, many people are v proud of Britain and their heritage. Many people serve in the British armed forces, quietly doing their job, including operating the air to air refuelling which is required for the Yemen operation, something which Americans seem ignorant of.
What is overreach -- no right not to be offended exists in UK law. It is not an offense to be offensive. I think many of the policies regarding trans/non-binary were far too loosely written. It is why GC women do keep winning.
I think speech in general is fine (even when I disagree fundamentally with the arguments put forth). I don't agree with haranguing people or preventing them from going about their lawful business. People should not have to live in fear, but I fundamentally disagree that the police should be encouraged to 'go beyond the law' and start policing thoughts, banter and hurt feelings which has appeared to happen. For example see the Linzi Smith v Northumbria Police case.
There is also a huge debate to be had about when does the right of protest go too far. I absolutely welcome the court's decision to place an injunction on the Pro Palestine lot who wanted to keep Cambridge from holding its graduation. Cambridge wanted a 5 year injunction but got a 4 month one (renewable). People have the right to lawfully graduate in peace.
There are fine lines to be drawn. The courts are the ones who have been designated to make that call in the UK, taking into account UK law. The general premise (which was upended during COVID btw) is that which is not expressly prohibited is permitted.
They need only summon the ghosts of Crecy, Agincourt, Trafalgar and the skies of 1940. They have a nation and culture worth saving from the madness. But do they have the will to rise?
I do realise that it is fashionable in some quarters to ignore what serving British armed forces are up to, but it is seriously not funny, particularly to those whose loved ones are serving.
I agree that the cuts should stop and the conditions which they operate under are abysmal , but stop doubting their patriotism or their willingness to fight for King and Country.
How in world you conjured this as a denigration of the British Armed Forces escapes me completely. It was clearly a paean to the majesty of British civilization and a call to the entire nation - not the military - to regain their pride and defend their culture. Want to try again?
Ah, you have not been paying attention to Europe and in particular Britain's reaction to the remarks in Signalgate then. People, particularly in the British Armed forces (and you did mention former battle honours) are annoyed the considerable contributions are being overlooked. The basic feeling is that the US admin and in particular Vance needs to stop laying into its allies in the way they have been doing. This is quite a good rant from Henry Bolton OBE (his politics are fairly close to yours) https://x.com/_HenryBolton/status/1905195673416331342
In the Battle of Britain, it was the Few who displayed great courage. Some (like the Communists) actively hindered. There are reasons why the trade union movements in the UK in the 1950s kicked the Communists out. They had seen how they only stopped the low level sabotage once the USSR was attacked in 1941 and they did not forget.
I think you misunderstand Vance's position and that of his supporters, including me. We do not denigrate the valor and contribution of the military service members of our European friends. We rightly criticize the idiocy of their Brussels-bound masters who have underfunded those militaries for decades. Why is it fair for American taxpayers to underwrite the defense of citizens of nations who don't have to worry about healthcare costs? Conflating criticism of the Eurocrats with the European soldiers being asked to soldier on shoestring budgets is rather unsporting, ne-c'est pasz/
It is what people, particularly British veterans are hearing whether or not it was intended. It causes problems, particularly as Britain does show up and assist.
One thing Britain has long resisted is a European army. Vance's remarks starting in Munich now make that just about inevitable.
Britain went through BREXIT as they were tired of Brussels bureaucrats. There would be far less trouble with illegal migration into Britain if the other European countries did their job in the first place <I mutter under my breath, giving France a hard stare>
The countries which do need to pony up on defence are places like Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Italy and Brussels. Poland and Estonia and some of the other Baltics spend a greater part of their GDP than the US does. Defence spending has never been an EU matter but an individual nation state one.
Merz got the Merkel debt brake released. Germany will rearm to the tune of 1 trillion euros. Sweden is massively increasing its spend etc etc. Italy and Spain remain laggards.
In terms of migration -- Labour is going to reign in activist judges. They have signalled as much. The Home Office is dysfunctional and has been for two decades. I suspect they will revisit the Rwanda scheme and send failed asylum seekers to 'return camps'.
Poland, and the Baltics will mine their borders which will end some of the northern nonsense.
Canada also should pony up as they have been a laggard. Carney is making the right noise now. It is a shame that they come at the expense of good relations with the US though.
It will be ironic if Carney and the Liberals do win, as they were dead and buried until certain noises started.
The House of Lords? Hmmm.....hereditary titles that go back to a band of marauding brigands who got in a lucky arrow shot? Titles such as Dame Alison Rose? Another hectoring harpy elevated far beyond her abilities, save a slavish adherence to the mores and doltish prejudices of the ruling collective. I'm glad Nigel didn't back down. Will America be the only member of the Anglosphere with the sense to end this descent into tyranny? Remember that court opinions don't change the minds and world views of these self-proclaimed "elites." This is why we elected Trump. To excise this cancer from our body politic.
From what I see on Clarkson’s Farm, the only people who can make a go of the insane farming rules and petty martinet bureaucratic rules are millionaires like Clarkson. And if he didn’t have the show, he’d likely be bankrupt.
Clarkson has made his money from elsewhere. What Clarkson is good at is showing the idiocy of the petty rules and how difficult farming actually is.
The ordinary farmers, particularly the tenant farmers live a hand to mouth existence in many ways.
Some like my near neighbour also afford horses etc so it does depend how good a farmer you are. That farm has been in that particular family for years.
You do need to know how to work the system. Many of the subsidies to make that much sense -- a number were formulated for the French (French farmers basically run the EU agriculture -- wine production is farming) and are based on acreage. You can't get paid for allowing fields to lie fallow, even though it might make sense not to use the marginal land.
And some of the boards like the Wool Board are focussed on quantity rather than quality. The sheer number of sheep per acre can cause havoc. It is far greater than say what the Norwegians are allowed -- Norway has a greater diversity of flora in the upland meadows as a result. The fields in Northumberland can be a bit of a green desert in contrast.
Thank you. I think the Art Dept did an excellent job on this cover. I have had all sorts of covers through out the years -- a number which bore little resemblance to what was actually happening in the story. It made the apology in advance all the more touching.
Hello Northumberland! Good to see You again. Another fine roundup of articles.
That was good news about the fine of University of Sussex. More power to Kathleen Stock.
But that Workers Rights bill sounds like a disaster in the making.
Glad to see Nat West brought low. And glad to see NHS Scotland getting reprimanded.
I'm sorry to see King Charles wasn't doing well.
I'm also sorry to hear Your works are being plagiarized by AI companies.
I'm SO glad to see Your book come out. And glad to see Paddy and Hercules enjoying the indoors.
TY, as always, Michelle. Appreciate Your work.
Always good to see you JT.
Just back from a breezy walk with Paddy as the hailing stopped and the sunshine came out.
Michelle- substack won’t “let “ me reply to your comment so I’m posting it here.
Michelle- I can absolutely relate to that & push on because you are gifted. I’m a theorist & while I could come up with myriads of ways to break supercomputers ++ I can barely figure out substack.
They’ve changed stuff along with everything also changing but I’m stuck between Apple 🍎 & Other but honestly the whole ship sailed when Gore facilitated the super info highway- I because I was there & the plans have been in motion a long time.
It’s difficult because of paywalls for say Tabbi or another v bright young man in Philly QTR I have so much a actual stuff but Tabbi uses FOIA && it’s unnecessary & causes him to be a year behind.
Keep writing ‼️
Michelle- you are truly amazing! Anything I wonder about or would go to research- you are always completely on top of it!
I am pleased that you enjoy this. My family tend to roll their eyes.
Michelle again such an extraordinary assembly of what is what & who’s doing what.
Pleased you enjoyed it.
"it gives employees the right to sue if they overhear something offensive"
Is it just me or is the only viable response (other than welding the doors shut) would be required all who enter to wear gags and/or earplugs?
It is going to be the death knell for pubs. Too much has been weaponized. We shall see what will happen. The Lords are at least kicking up a fuss and telling the HoC to think again.
Some of what is proposed is unworkable. They should try enforcing the existing laws...
Pubs. As said in song, you won't know what you've got 'til they're gone. As one who has experienced them and then come back here.
The UK is in deep self imposed shit that’s simply incomprehensible from the other side of the pond. I do understand that the exact same view of the US is probably felt by those overseas. What I simply don’t understand is the lack of freedom of speech, the kowtowing to Muslim immigrants and especially the seeming tolerance of the rape of your daughters. What the fuck has happened to the country of Shakespeare and Churchill? When will you show some pride in your long heritage?
Hmm, there is freedom of speech but people have to be prepared to go to court over it to prevent overreach. This is what is happening. I suspect this will happen in the US as well as the overreach appears to be growing.
With Muslim immigration, you need to realise that birth right citizenship stopped back in 1982. There is a pathway to citizenship but it is very hard and takes a long time. I have been through it. Not everyone qualifies.
The Muslim populations are concentrated in a few large cities. They make up 6% of the population (citizen and non citizen alike) and cover a wide range -- from non practicing to fanatic fundy, just as there are in the US (current pop 1.34% and a sizable increase from the last census of 1.1% -- the US has a much larger pop in any case)
Sharia Councils actually have no legal standing (unlike say Russia where Sharia Law is the law of the land in Chechnya -- thus making the Russian Federation an Islamic state with nukes, not a completely Christian national one).
Sharia Councils operate in the UK in much the same way that the Roman Catholic Council of Bishops act -- ie granting religious divorces. There has been a huge campaign in the UK to ensure that they are not given legal status, regardless of what certain commentators in the US appear to think. I suspect Sharia Councils operate in Michigan and other areas where the American Muslim population are and function in much the same way. Sometimes when Muslims do come to court, they are surprised to learn that Sharia Councils do not actually have any legal standing.
As for the grooming gangs -- the wheels of justice grind slow but they are being brought to justice. I would point that the reporters in the US should be looking at what is happening to vulnerable girls in federal care. There is evidence that the Biden admin did not care and released a number into dubious custody where they would most likely be exploited. Simply because it is not being reported on in the US doesn't mean it is not happening.
Finally, yes, many people are v proud of Britain and their heritage. Many people serve in the British armed forces, quietly doing their job, including operating the air to air refuelling which is required for the Yemen operation, something which Americans seem ignorant of.
Michelle: Thanks for your comprehensive response to my comment.
One question about this: “Hmm, there is freedom of speech but people have to be prepared to go to court over it to prevent overreach.”
What do you consider “overreach” when considering freedom of speech and who exactly makes that call?
What is overreach -- no right not to be offended exists in UK law. It is not an offense to be offensive. I think many of the policies regarding trans/non-binary were far too loosely written. It is why GC women do keep winning.
I think speech in general is fine (even when I disagree fundamentally with the arguments put forth). I don't agree with haranguing people or preventing them from going about their lawful business. People should not have to live in fear, but I fundamentally disagree that the police should be encouraged to 'go beyond the law' and start policing thoughts, banter and hurt feelings which has appeared to happen. For example see the Linzi Smith v Northumbria Police case.
There is also a huge debate to be had about when does the right of protest go too far. I absolutely welcome the court's decision to place an injunction on the Pro Palestine lot who wanted to keep Cambridge from holding its graduation. Cambridge wanted a 5 year injunction but got a 4 month one (renewable). People have the right to lawfully graduate in peace.
There are fine lines to be drawn. The courts are the ones who have been designated to make that call in the UK, taking into account UK law. The general premise (which was upended during COVID btw) is that which is not expressly prohibited is permitted.
They need only summon the ghosts of Crecy, Agincourt, Trafalgar and the skies of 1940. They have a nation and culture worth saving from the madness. But do they have the will to rise?
Please stop denigrating the British Armed Forces. They are putting their lives on the line for American operations such as Yemen. The Air to Air refuelling was done by RAF pilots. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/27/white-house-yemen-leak-undoubtedly-put-raf-pilots-at-risk/ or https://archive.ph/tcdrK
I do realise that it is fashionable in some quarters to ignore what serving British armed forces are up to, but it is seriously not funny, particularly to those whose loved ones are serving.
I agree that the cuts should stop and the conditions which they operate under are abysmal , but stop doubting their patriotism or their willingness to fight for King and Country.
How in world you conjured this as a denigration of the British Armed Forces escapes me completely. It was clearly a paean to the majesty of British civilization and a call to the entire nation - not the military - to regain their pride and defend their culture. Want to try again?
Ah, you have not been paying attention to Europe and in particular Britain's reaction to the remarks in Signalgate then. People, particularly in the British Armed forces (and you did mention former battle honours) are annoyed the considerable contributions are being overlooked. The basic feeling is that the US admin and in particular Vance needs to stop laying into its allies in the way they have been doing. This is quite a good rant from Henry Bolton OBE (his politics are fairly close to yours) https://x.com/_HenryBolton/status/1905195673416331342
In the Battle of Britain, it was the Few who displayed great courage. Some (like the Communists) actively hindered. There are reasons why the trade union movements in the UK in the 1950s kicked the Communists out. They had seen how they only stopped the low level sabotage once the USSR was attacked in 1941 and they did not forget.
As an aside -- Mahmood and Starmer are taking on the judiciary. The Sentencing Council rejected Mahmood's letter asking them to reconsider. Starmer says that there may be emergency legislation as they have started making policy which is reserved for Parliament. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/28/politics-latest-news-sentencing-council-starmer-two-tier/
I think you misunderstand Vance's position and that of his supporters, including me. We do not denigrate the valor and contribution of the military service members of our European friends. We rightly criticize the idiocy of their Brussels-bound masters who have underfunded those militaries for decades. Why is it fair for American taxpayers to underwrite the defense of citizens of nations who don't have to worry about healthcare costs? Conflating criticism of the Eurocrats with the European soldiers being asked to soldier on shoestring budgets is rather unsporting, ne-c'est pasz/
It is what people, particularly British veterans are hearing whether or not it was intended. It causes problems, particularly as Britain does show up and assist.
One thing Britain has long resisted is a European army. Vance's remarks starting in Munich now make that just about inevitable.
Britain went through BREXIT as they were tired of Brussels bureaucrats. There would be far less trouble with illegal migration into Britain if the other European countries did their job in the first place <I mutter under my breath, giving France a hard stare>
The countries which do need to pony up on defence are places like Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Italy and Brussels. Poland and Estonia and some of the other Baltics spend a greater part of their GDP than the US does. Defence spending has never been an EU matter but an individual nation state one.
Merz got the Merkel debt brake released. Germany will rearm to the tune of 1 trillion euros. Sweden is massively increasing its spend etc etc. Italy and Spain remain laggards.
In terms of migration -- Labour is going to reign in activist judges. They have signalled as much. The Home Office is dysfunctional and has been for two decades. I suspect they will revisit the Rwanda scheme and send failed asylum seekers to 'return camps'.
Poland, and the Baltics will mine their borders which will end some of the northern nonsense.
Canada also should pony up as they have been a laggard. Carney is making the right noise now. It is a shame that they come at the expense of good relations with the US though.
It will be ironic if Carney and the Liberals do win, as they were dead and buried until certain noises started.
The House of Lords? Hmmm.....hereditary titles that go back to a band of marauding brigands who got in a lucky arrow shot? Titles such as Dame Alison Rose? Another hectoring harpy elevated far beyond her abilities, save a slavish adherence to the mores and doltish prejudices of the ruling collective. I'm glad Nigel didn't back down. Will America be the only member of the Anglosphere with the sense to end this descent into tyranny? Remember that court opinions don't change the minds and world views of these self-proclaimed "elites." This is why we elected Trump. To excise this cancer from our body politic.
From what I see on Clarkson’s Farm, the only people who can make a go of the insane farming rules and petty martinet bureaucratic rules are millionaires like Clarkson. And if he didn’t have the show, he’d likely be bankrupt.
Clarkson has made his money from elsewhere. What Clarkson is good at is showing the idiocy of the petty rules and how difficult farming actually is.
The ordinary farmers, particularly the tenant farmers live a hand to mouth existence in many ways.
Some like my near neighbour also afford horses etc so it does depend how good a farmer you are. That farm has been in that particular family for years.
You do need to know how to work the system. Many of the subsidies to make that much sense -- a number were formulated for the French (French farmers basically run the EU agriculture -- wine production is farming) and are based on acreage. You can't get paid for allowing fields to lie fallow, even though it might make sense not to use the marginal land.
And some of the boards like the Wool Board are focussed on quantity rather than quality. The sheer number of sheep per acre can cause havoc. It is far greater than say what the Norwegians are allowed -- Norway has a greater diversity of flora in the upland meadows as a result. The fields in Northumberland can be a bit of a green desert in contrast.
Oh I know where he made his money. My point was the rules would bankrupt anyone.
It depends on the farmer and what they are farming. Some are doing v well indeed. Familiarity can breed a bit of contempt...
The rules are insane and have traditionally favoured the French.
I like the cover!
Thank you. I think the Art Dept did an excellent job on this cover. I have had all sorts of covers through out the years -- a number which bore little resemblance to what was actually happening in the story. It made the apology in advance all the more touching.