Clare J

It's been 33 years since I left school, and I have no children, or any in my life, but if I'm unlucky enough to catch a back to school we, the effect is the same.

THE STEADY STATE August 9, 2025 An Open Letter to the Men and Women of the FBI from The Steady State Expressing Support and Alarm Over Politicization and Retribution - A Purge We write to you as former members of the U.S. intelligence, diplomatic, defense, and national security communities-veterans of service to both Republican and Democratic administrations. We are The Steady State, a nonpartisan group of professionals who have served in the CIA, FBI, State Department, Department of Defense, NSA, DHS, and the uniformed military. Together, we have spent our careers upholding the Constitution and defending the United States from foreign and domestic threats. We have worked across the globe—at embassies, forward operating bases, and conflict zones- -as well as here at home, in Washington, D.C. and in field offices across the country. Some of us sat across the table from foreign intelligence services, some led counterterrorism operations or nuclear nonproliferation programs, while others negotiated treaties or built coalitions in defense of democracy. Whatever the mission, one constant was our respect for—and reliance on—the integrity, professionalism, and independence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Together, we helped keep America safe from espionage, terrorism, and transnational crime. Together, we ensured that more than a dozen presidents had the best intelligence and analysis available to make decisions that shaped the outcome of the Cold War and safeguarded American interests around the world. It is from that shared legacy of service that we now write in deep concern and solidarity. The recent removals of seasoned FBI leaders—most notably Agents Brian Driscoll, Michael Feinberg, Walter Giardina—are not isolated personnel matters. They appear part of a broader campaign to dismantle the FBI's long-standing independence and recast it as a tool of political loyalty. That such dismissals are reportedly tied to perceived personal disloyalty to former President …

We have seen these dynamics abroad-leaders who demand loyalty from security services not to the law, but to themselves. These regimes do not end well. The FBI has long been a bulwark against such corruption: an institution where rule of law and civil iberties are held in balance with the demands of national security. Its independence is not a bureaucratic feature; it is a democratic necessity. To our friends and colleagues in the Bureau, past and present: we recognize the pressure you are under. We honor your service and the sacrifices you've made— quietly, honorably, often without recognition. And we want you to know: we stand with you. Your integrity matters. Your courage matters. The nation is watching, and will be inspired by the FBI. And history will remember. With respect, gratitude, and resolve, The Members of The Steady State

A group of former national security and FBI officials have issued a warning about Trump trying to turn the FBI into his own private force, CBS reports.

Or the primer undercoat grey. It's like they forgot to put the topcoat on.

Yes. I was afraid of that. How much do you think there is? 😬

Oh fuck I've just read that again, it's fungus, not insulation 🤢

Oh nooo, is that your house? 😬

Why, why did you click on the chiles link?

Thought I'd try Chat GTP 5 as they're bigging up how it's more accurate. A simple question, no tricks, with an easily checkable answer and it gets it wrong. If you're relying on this stuff you're cooked. Don't do it kids.

Totally off topic but imagining how satisfying stripping off all those drips on the landlord special would be.

They weren't curious enough to check the spelling i guess

That's got to be the sign of a sociopath.

Romania was close to losing their ability to refine oil to fuels as tainted, corrosive crude oil arrived. Other EU nations affected as well.

Earlier parts of pipeline network damaged and fingers pointed to Russia.

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/statement-by-federal-chancellor-friedrich-merz-on-the-development-in-gaza-2377368

The German Government will, until further notice, authorise no military equipment exports that can be used in the Gaza Strip.

Full statement by Chancellor Merz 👇

Email. Text: Dear John Walton, We are reaching out to you because of a recent data breach involving your personal data. Specifically, a fraudster gained limited access to a third-party system that is used by KLM. Our dedicated teams, together with the third-party system involved, quickly took the necessary steps to address the situation, and have reinforced protective measures to prevent this from happening again. Data such as credit card details, passport numbers, Flying Blue Miles balances, passwords or booking information were not involved. However, we have confirmed that some of your personal data were exposed by this breach. These relate to your earlier contact with our customer service and may include: Your first name Your family name Your contact details Your Flying Blue number and tier level The subject line of service request emails Remarks made by our customer service agents We recommend staying alert when receiving messages or other communication using your personal information, and to be cautious of any suspicious activity. The data involved in this breach could be used to make phishing messages appear more credible. If you receive unexpected messages or phone calls, especially asking for personal information or urging you to take action, please check their authenticity. We have reported this incident to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens), in accordance with data protection laws. We understand the concern this may cause, and we deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused you. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the KLM Customer Contact Center. Yours sincerely, KLM N.V. Barry ter Voert Chief Experience Officer & EVP Business Development

KLM are finally getting around to issuing emails to customers whose data they leaked.

Included are everything from name, address, contacts and customer service remarks, which might include really sensitive information (like religious meal or disability needs).

This is a major, major breach.

The wallpaper in the cloakroom and later on is a bit much. Also, I can't read the numbers but the dumbbells in the gym seem tiny.

1 of my 2 lifetime stings happened the same (minus the coos bit). Both on a bike.

In fact, when I sit down and the cats appear (one on my lap and one snuggled up against my legs on the footstool) my husband announces 'the sleepy pile has assembled'.

On a poang, under a fleece and a cat works for me 😀

Just announced: the UK's most famous libel firm, Carter-Ruck, is being prosecuted before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for recklessly enabling a $4bn fraud

It's astonishing how reckless Carter-Ruck was - likely causing $$$ more to be lost to fraudsters

The full story:

And then the book reportedly tanked in stores, so their extra 10k copies that they printed at my expense were suddenly an albatross.

No books moving, no money coming in.

Except during bankruptcy they only have 1000 copies to give to me.

In 2022, Nadhim Zahawi’s solicitor sent me a libel threat - and said I wasn’t even allowed to say he’d written to me.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that was improper.

Now he’s appealing.

A 🧵 on why it matters.

Mr Hurst is now appealing to the Administrative Court.

If he wins this appeal, then solicitors will have a green light to claim their libel threats cannot be published, or even referred to. The "secret SLAPP" will have become blessed by the courts.

Today is International Owl Awareness Day and I had a hoot putting together this thread of international owl phrases, starting with this one…

A colloquial way of telling someone to mind their own business in Punjabi is apna ooloo sidha rukh. It means “keep your own owl straight.”

And her eyeliner is to die for.

That rug is excellent as a tortie backdrop.

Before working remotely, I used ALL my sick time every year because commuting is hard.

I’m more productive. My quality is higher. I care more. And my mental health is better.

I’m never working full-time in an office again.

Back-to-office is a cover for ineffective management. Period.

Warpigs?

Dementia patient Vs drunk in playground spat. Great.

For Rent: Rooms Under the Radar The booming rental market hides a crisis. An investigation into the hidden world of unlicensed shared housing, where people live in overcrowded, unsafe conditions.

I spoke to the BBC for this investigation into unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Some landlords are profiting by cramming 20 people into flats that fail basic standards.

“For Rent: Rooms Under The Radar” is on iPlayer/8pm tonight on BBC 1. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Donald Trump and his long time friend Ghislaine Maxwell smiling at a party.

Ghislaine Maxwell has quietly been moved from a prison in Florida to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in southeast Texas. This comes amid her lawyers attempting to secure a pardon from, long time Jeffrey Epstein friend, Donald Trump. #OpDeathEaters