Jon Owen

How are things in the US?

Completely fine, totally normal.

How normal?

Well, for example, here's a Minnesota media outfit helping readers to familiarise themselves with munitions their government is currently using against them.

art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding

In Cumbrian dialects, 'merl' is blackbird

one should never fall asleep whilst listening to it's song or you shall awaken in Fairyland

more in my 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding

As @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social has pointed out, an officer wrote this assertion with zero supporting evidence:

"A charge for parking can often be the difference between using those shops, restaurants and facilities or heading out of town instead – or just going online."

..so he's FOI'd it. Kudos.

‘Free parking’ is *never* free! It is paid for in 2 ways:

1) Direct financial subsidy from the taxes of everyone who doesn’t use it (eg bus passengers)

2) External costs paid by society at large - the extra pollution/casualties/spatial implications & other harms induced by the ‘incentive to drive’

My key 'Sheds' photo, that set off the whole project

Fochriw, 2021 I think

British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton to step down in summer to take Olympic role “It has been a tremendous honour to lead British Cycling through such an important and ambitious period of change,” Dutton, whose time in charge of the governing body saw membership numbers drop by ov...

Another oil-stained suit* leaves the building.

*In October 2022 British Cycling's bosses, including Dutton's predecessor, signed a #greenwashing deal with Shell, making the oil giant an official partner of the national governing body, a partnership that will run until 2030.

road.cc/content/news...

Reform is basically a suburban petrol station's DVD bin of Tory politicians.

Bookies make Green Party surprise FAVOURITES to win Gorton and Denton by-election With all the talk about Labour's 'Burnham Block' and high-profile Reform candidates, bookmakers have an eye on the Green Party.

You love to see it.

I certainly do.

www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/bet...

An Invention of Collective Nouns   A reckoning of spreadsheets. A distraction of smartphones. A prattle of podcasts. A mispronunciation of scones.   A clique of photographers. A heard of precedents. An enjambment of poets. A grope of presidents.   A pile of haemorrhoids. A bunion of personal trainers. A bout of estimations. A condescension of mansplainers.   A stroke of geniuses. A spot of adolescents. An embarrassment of Richards. A collection correction of pedants. Brian Bilston

Here’s a poem called ‘An Invention of Collective Nouns’.

Suelle Braverman joined Farage's Reform UK.

Another talentless opportunist whose sole ability to career climb is willingness to embrace political extremism to compensate for a complete absence of ideas, competence, or ability to meaningful contribute to public life.

Republican Chris Madel made a stunning exit from the Minnesota governor's race on Jan. 26, saying he cannot support the national GOP's "stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so." In a surprise video announcement, the Minneapolis attorney said he supported the originally stated goals of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's operation in Minnesota, including the deportation of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records, but the effort has "expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats." "United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That's wrong," Madel said.

RT +Alttext ✍️📷

pretty wild statement re: Republican Chris #Madel drop from race for #MN governor:

"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."

To lose a war, just get the guys on your side to feel like this:

“John Mitnick, who served as the top attorney at the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration, wrote on social media that he was “enraged and embarrassed by DHS’s lawlessness, fascism, and cruelty.”

Landscape, 1914 #metzinger #cubism

Gotta love sneckdowns

Yep, absolutely. They're throwbacks in that regard. And I'll criticise them for it until they modernise

Like water yeah?

My first canvass in Gorton & Denton.

Lidl here not quite showing the upbeat Longsight in front of us.

Doorstep responses:
- "Labour have had their day. They took us for granted"
- "Reform have to be stopped"
- "Greens get us"

Game on!

Scottish Greens rekindle ties with Zack Polanski’s party after trans‑rights split THE Scottish Greens have rekindled ties with Zack Polanski’s party after a previous split on transgender rights.

That's good to see.

www.thenational.scot/news/2579359...

Graphic featuring Green Party leader Zack Polanski, with his portrait at the top on a green background. A large quote reads: “As days pass and Labour seemingly find new ways to disappoint people, I remain focused on growing the Green Party. At the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton, it’s become clear that the Greens are the only progressive party capable of beating Reform.” Green Party logo and branding appear at the bottom.

We are not here to be disappointed by Labour anymore. At the by-election in Gorton and Denton, we are here to replace them. This election is a two-way race now - Greens Vs Reform.

So I see.

Fingers crossed...

Labour's idea of internal democracy in full effect today, I see.

After all, what could local party members possibly bring to bear in the selection of a parliamentary candidate?

Higher-ups know best. #paternalism

Alex Pretti was a customer of ACF. A member of our local cycling community. An integral community member serving as a nurse at our local VA hospital. Murdered while standing up to bullies in his city. Then falsely smeared in the media as an agitator with an agenda. Do not believe the lies. He could be any one of us standing against evil, but evil cannot get us all if we stand against it!

From Angry Catfish, independent bicycle shop in Minneapolis

The idea that having a “narrative” means having a legitimate position on the matter is taking root in our media with distressing rapidity.
bsky.app/profile/bens...

It’s always nice when your interests intermingle, here’s Manchester, punk rock references & independent bike shops. ❤️🚲

From his work website:

"James previously served as the Senior Opinion Research and Strategy Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May."

...and with that context, his staggering lack of insight makes complete sense.

From his work website:

"James previously served as the Senior Opinion Research and Strategy Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May."

...and with that context, James's staggering lack of insight makes complete sense.

Can't believe I have to say this, but climate change is responsible for extreme cold snaps.

Ta! I love it when I find art in the quotidian