BenBiggin

@Masterton9 @CAILEAN_UK Pretty much anyone who isn't Celtic or Hibs, plus the vast majority outside of Scotland, were right behind the Jambos, and not just because of yesterday. A title manufactured at Fir Park. You can hold your heads high, you've been robbed by the high priests of faux victimhood.

There are others on here who will back me up on this, going into Celtic Park yesterday was the worst I’ve ever experienced. The venom and hatred, plus the physical attacks on anyone wearing maroon, was absolutely disgusting. And it wasn’t a minority. Scum of the earth.

@RachelMoiselle Completely agree and a first class example of luxury beliefs. The Irish State and most institutions have fallen over themselves to other Jewish people. Not enough. This fusion of horseshoe extremists/islamists/antisemites generally needs serious attention by governments in Europe

A final point: This should serve as a stark warning to the governments of other Western countries. Ireland is widely observed as having the singular most pro-Palestine government in the West, and yet it still was not enough. You will never, ever be able to appease these protestors. They are driven by hatred, not justice. They have no aspirations towards pragmatic cooperation for peace, they have maximalist goals and anything less than the destruction of Israel as a Jewish State is simply not acceptable to them. You cannot give them an inch.

Over the past few years, our Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government did absolutely everything they could to appease these extremists, at immense cost to our international reputation and standing. It was, of course, not enough. Because it’s never enough. Many of us tried to warn them; our advice was not heeded, and now here we are. Further, it should go without saying that if right-wing protestors tried to forcibly break into the Ard Fheis, this would be front page news on every media outlet. But because it’s anti-Israel protestors, I’ve barely seen it covered.

@IAPonomarenko Not exactly the same but history does roughly repeat itself time and again. Russia (Germany) expected to overwhelm UKR (UK) airspace, bombed cities, 'wonder weapons', then DID not like it UP them, when returned with interest, at all. Bravo Ukraine.

War always, absolutely always, inevitably returns to the one who criminally unleashed it. And in the end, it turns against the aggressor himself. Now Moscow will have to relearn that lesson again, a lesson that humankind keeps refusing to learn century after century. Ukraine stood its ground heroically. And now the aggressor will answer for what it has done throughout all these years of war. Do not bomb, and you shall not be bombed.

@ArmchairW You should be more curious than passing on what you are spoon fed. Sure, the attacking side has a history and logic defying lower KIA than the defending side. From the same country where the President is disappointed if he doesn't have approval ratings above 105%.

I frequently cite a figure that 30 Ukrainians die for every Russian KIA in Ukraine. This figure is supported by publicly available data on military amputations as well as the regular casualty exchanges. It's literally the most substantiated casualty ratio estimate that exists.

@DarRamesnis @edwardlucas Really inspirational. My Lithuanian friend gave me a book about the Forest Brothers. Excellent museum in Marijampole.

The Soviets feared the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union not because it had tanks or massive armies, but because it had organized citizens. Teachers. Farmers. Workers. Students. When the USSR occupied Lithuania in 1940, the Šauliai were banned almost immediately. Members were arrested, deported, and forced underground. But many former Riflemen later became the backbone of Lithuanian resistance and partisan networks. They already knew: who could hide weapons, which forests were safest, who could be trusted, and how to organize locally. Some families hid Šauliai badges, flags, and documents for 50 years during Soviet occupation. sauliusajunga.lt/tapk-sauliu

@gorbalsgoebbels Burnham is the Labour equivalent of Jenrick.

So Tony Blair and New Labour were wrong? You kept your mouth shut long enough.

@henrywinter It would be great if he is fit for the WC.

Johnny, Johnny Stones serenaded by Manchester City fans. What an outstanding player he’s been for them, on so many occasions, 17 trophies, 294 games, 19 goals, and most memorably the 2023 Champions League final in Istanbul when he bestrode midfield. #MCFC

@northumbriana Princess Louise in Holborn a must visit.

I’m back down the Big Smoke and we’ve found a Sam Smith’s bar. Cheers!

@BronwynChat @alexmassie @gracebrod1e That is a bit rich coming from people who claim England is akin to Mordor (even though most have only ever been to London or connecting flights to/from airports).

@alexmassie @gracebrod1e Why are you so negative about everything. It must be exhausting being you 🤷🏼‍♀️

Nobody treats the Scottish parliament with more contempt than the SNP. Just look at who the party wanted to serve as presiding officer for the next five years... thetimes.com/uk/scotland/ar…

@MattChorley I haven't seen him for a while. He's aged well.

Great to see Tony Ferrino back on the telly

@ipa1869 @2351onthelist @WomenOScotland @ChrisFalconer16 Just wait for the grandstanding when the visa ruckus starts. That awful lawyer and Humza will be all over it.

@WomenOScotland @ChrisFalconer16 The Scottish greens will have demanded the security so they can get more “victim” headlines. It’s performative.

Genuine question on Holyrood security. New Greens MSP Q Manivannan got a security escort yesterday over online abuse, threats have no place in politics. But last term, gender-critical MSPs/MPs like Joanna Cherry faced 18-month rape & death threat campaigns, ‘Decapitate TERFs’ banners at rallies, and Rosie Duffield had a man convicted for death threats (gun threat). Any special protection for them? Even-handed this time?

@norriehunt43182 Do something productive with your life. Just march up Arthur's Seat and do UDI. I'm sure you'll be successful in getting other countries to recognise it.

John Swinney get your arse in gear the people are speaking.

@Dios_svk I wonder if ANY Russian ever asks themselves just why CEE countries were so keen to join NATO. Their collective ignorance, stupidity, delusion, moral bankruptcy, imagined strength, nihilism fetish and blindness is sending them down a vortex of doom.

russia is a cancer of any civilization. We joined NATO to be safe from fascist russia. We know russia, they are pure savages. #NAFO #Fellas

@petite_michelle He is.

And how is that possible he is not under investigation?

@griffitha @KemiBadenoch Fair comment but have you ever heard of the term hypocrisy? There is a reason for the term uniparty. I'm sad it is that way but both parties have flopped badly. The Conservatives started the leftward big state lurch. A bit of humility wouldn't go amiss.

Let’s look at today’s government promotions. 🩺 A Health Secretary - now running one of the largest employers after the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army - who has never managed a team larger than his parliamentary staff. 🏛️ A Chief Secretary to the Treasury - responsible for spending 1.6 trillion of taxpayers money a year - who is a lawyer with zero background in finance. 🏙️ And a new ‘City’ Minister who has never worked anywhere remotely near the financial and professional services sector vital to the UK’s economy. Between them: two Islington former councillors and one in Tower Hamlets. This is not about personalities or their no doubt well meaning intent. But there has to be a better way to run this great country of ours.

@andersostlund I remember when the Economist labelled her leader of the 'liberal order'/free world circa 2016. She has been a catastrophe for Germany and Europe.

Insanity. Merkel is only pro-Russian. Her policies laid the foundation for Russian aggression. She facilitated war.

@CoralieAnn @loonshire1 It's one thing to meet a fellow leader of a junior legislature, it is part of the job, but quite another to say what he has said, effectively cosying up to a the political wing of murderers. Insulting their victims, including Scots. There is no bar low enough for Secessionists.

I detested Sturgeon but by goodness, I think I hate this bastard even more. At least Sturgeon was openly just a nasty, divisive witch, #DishonestJohn is undoubtably a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He presents as a nebbish, bland, mild-mannered, mealy-mouthed simp but don’t be fooled. He has vindictiveness and hatred coursing through his veins and is hellbent on stoking the fires of sectarianism. ☠️🤬

@DrAnamorphosis Stop hiding, just say England, be honest, and cut the holier than thou guff.

WES STREETING ANGELA RAYNER ANDY BURNHAM Three more reasons for Scottish Independence

@TheScotsman It might be on Swinney's agenda to performatively ask but it's irrelevant.

Second IndyRef on agenda for meeting between Starmer and Swinney trib.al/8yAFiWy

@nats_tired Contrast Swinney with the Plaid leader. The latter seemingly an adult versus a chippy, spoilt and ignorant child in Bute House. I oppose Plaid but it will be interesting to see how they conduct themselves compared to the holier (and woker) than thou SNP.

As Jim Sillars, put it, treating Reform differently from other parties is “democratically wrong … I am not a Green. I am not Reform. I am not a Tory. But I respect the fact people have voted for them. Therefore I respect their political representatives. ”thetimes.com/article/f6d23b…