Whilst trudging around in the mud in Cumbria, between intermittent blasts of glorious sunshine, I had the good fortune to meet Willsy, of Resistance GB. He was keen to talk policing and UK Column, each of which I know a little of, and now he's put it out as a video (only 10 mins):

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayncpXPboQU

I spoke to Laura Towler a couple of weeks ago, and our conversation has just been published. As I have said several times, whether or not you agree with the views of Sam Melia, there can be no doubt that he has not been treated fairly by the criminal justice system.

Restricting all contact with his children was an oppressive measure and demonstrates a flagrant abuse of the Ministry of Justice guidance.

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https://www.ukcolumn.org/video/political-prisoner-denied-access-to-his-children-with-laura-towler

H-90.

I'll be on at 1110. It will, of course, be recorded and made available later, but it would be lovely to have you there.

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The Guardian, crying into its cornflakes, fortified with irony.

In 2005 and 2006, Tony Blair gave interviews without coffee to two successive Chiefs of the General Staff (head of the British Army); Mike Jackson and Richard Dannatt. This coincided with the expectation that senior serving military personnel would talk up overseas operations as "keeping our streets safe", which was–of course–a terrible lie.

I quoted from Jonathan Powell's memoir on today's UK Column News, and I have exactly the same sense of incredulity at the rank stupidity and ignorance of the occupants of the sofa at 10 Downing Street at the time.

Please read this for a reminder of how bad the Blair years were, and why. It says an awful lot about our society today that the man himself is still considered significant.

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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/oct/10/jonathan-powell-richard-dannatt-iraq-war-tony-blair

British politicians and the BBC climbing over each other in the fight to accuse Vladimir Putin of trying to garner support for Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.

Of course, they are exactly the same people that are constantly trying to garner support for Ukraine in the conflict they are trying to expand into Russia.

Next up: Reconstruction £££$$$

Apart from the fact that Bill Gates probably doesn't live in Wyoming–increasing the possibility of an industrial "accident"–what is the angle where nuclear power is concerned?

He is pushing Terrapower, which is his. Nuclear seems sensible. Gates does not. What's the catch?

https://www.terrapower.com/

Summer solstice at 2150 in Plymouth today. At least something that hasn't been affected by climate change......yet.

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https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/june-solstice.html

Naturally.

The Tony Blair Club: Reimagining Defence and Security - UK Column News - 19th June 2024

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Full news and all the source links: www.ukcolumn.org/video/uk-column-news-19th-june-2024

Hard as it is to believe, this is not a parody account, nor is he a parody figure. Daniel Sleat, shown in a video clip in the above segment from yesterday's clip, is Tony Blair's man on defence and geopolitics.

Having secured Nick Carter, with whom to pick the locks, the Blair Initiative for Global Change is marching into the theatre of defence and post-conflict reconstruction.

It is probable that either Paddington Bear or Columbo would be better qualified as front-man for such a campaign.

This case would seem to draw out exactly what is wrong with the NFU and the somewhat servile relationship which farmers have with it. The issue here is compensation, rather than the extermination of perfectly healthy poultry birds. Telling the rest of the world that their standards of animal welfare are below those of the UK is merely a comment on relativity. Bird flu, as a concept, can only "exist" alongside the PCR test. Like humans, unwell animals do recover; given the right environmental conditions.

From the same book as the furlough scheme, keepers of small numbers of poultry who do register their flocks will simply be given public money to prevent them from producing their own food.

If anyone is aware of a formal challenge to the process which DEFRA is pushing, please let me know.

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https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/victory-for-poultry-producers-and-nfu-in-legal-case-over-avian-influenza-compensation/

West Hoe Road, Plymouth.

I spoke to Mark Byford, the Bowler Hat Farmer, about the almighty mess we have slid into, when it comes to food security, nutrient density, proper biodiversity and soil health. Mark is unusual in that, in addition to knowing what he's talking about, he is actually doing something about it.

For inspiration on the matter of taking greater control over your food supply, please listen to this UK Column interview with Mark and share it far and wide:

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https://www.ukcolumn.org/video/the-seeds-of-change-with-mark-byford

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I'm off to Groundswell today, to sort the sheep from the goats. How many "regenerative" farmers are simply regenerating supranational policy?

If you are aware of any speaker there that would be worth seeking out, please let me know.

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https://groundswellag.com/

It's rather an odd picture, but–like most owls–this wise bird knows what it's talking about.

Don't mention the war.

"Throughout the year, but particularly during Pride Month, we celebrate the bravery and successes of LGBTQI+ activists and their allies around the world, who continue in the face of adversity, to advocate for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals."

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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/celebrating-bravery-of-lgbtqi-activists-joint-statement-by-foreign-missions-in-russia-for-pride-month-2024

With thanks to Paul, who filmed this and put it in the comments. The lack of engagement seems extraordinarily rude, apart from anything else.

Flapping Eagle:

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I was snubbed by my MP Angela Eagle, who got shielded by a rainbow 🌈 brolly 🌂

https://youtu.be/GgGCu_mJ32c?si=l_oBzppssJDp2Lxq

Pinocchio was a bit tied up, so Rita stepped in:

"We are committed to the safety of all journalists, reflecting their contribution to an open, functioning democracy. We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom, silence debate, abuse journalists, or spread misinformation - whether online or offline."

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https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-56-uk-statement-on-the-right-to-freedom-of-opinion-and-expression