Patrick McLaughlin
@mclpatrick.bsky.social
Unitarian Universalist minister. Historian. Anti-fascist. 3rd Culture kid. Gamer, reader, gardener. Animal lover. Nature lover. Maker of gingerbread cathedrals. Trouble-maker.
The Fall of the House of Pratt.
June 8, 2026 at 1:43 AM
The Fall of the House of Pratt.
It’s pushing up daisies.
May 25, 2026 at 4:18 AM
It’s pushing up daisies.
If they can treat 14 year olds as adults, they should also give them the vote.
May 25, 2026 at 4:13 AM
If they can treat 14 year olds as adults, they should also give them the vote.
History suggests… not.
May 8, 2026 at 10:13 PM
History suggests… not.
The regime sees everyone else — not just Iran — as NPCs.
May 4, 2026 at 7:54 PM
The regime sees everyone else — not just Iran — as NPCs.
Like Mastodon, for example.
Don’t re-create the user-abusive and invasive garbage that billionaires in the US foisted on people.
Don’t re-create the user-abusive and invasive garbage that billionaires in the US foisted on people.
May 4, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Like Mastodon, for example.
Don’t re-create the user-abusive and invasive garbage that billionaires in the US foisted on people.
Don’t re-create the user-abusive and invasive garbage that billionaires in the US foisted on people.
I’m glad to hear that.
(I’ve been unable to follow UKPOL as closely as I might have in the past. Something about the implosion of my country into fascism — and fighting that — has been a bit distracting.)
I’d be delighted to see a Green majority.
(I’ve been unable to follow UKPOL as closely as I might have in the past. Something about the implosion of my country into fascism — and fighting that — has been a bit distracting.)
I’d be delighted to see a Green majority.
May 3, 2026 at 11:14 AM
I’m glad to hear that.
(I’ve been unable to follow UKPOL as closely as I might have in the past. Something about the implosion of my country into fascism — and fighting that — has been a bit distracting.)
I’d be delighted to see a Green majority.
(I’ve been unable to follow UKPOL as closely as I might have in the past. Something about the implosion of my country into fascism — and fighting that — has been a bit distracting.)
I’d be delighted to see a Green majority.
Voting isn’t a cause.
The *cause* (causes) are deeper — they are the reasons people are voting for them.
Economics is usually in the top two or three. Britain got sold Brexit on economic anxiety and a whole armada of careful lies about the economic consequences.
The *cause* (causes) are deeper — they are the reasons people are voting for them.
Economics is usually in the top two or three. Britain got sold Brexit on economic anxiety and a whole armada of careful lies about the economic consequences.
April 29, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Voting isn’t a cause.
The *cause* (causes) are deeper — they are the reasons people are voting for them.
Economics is usually in the top two or three. Britain got sold Brexit on economic anxiety and a whole armada of careful lies about the economic consequences.
The *cause* (causes) are deeper — they are the reasons people are voting for them.
Economics is usually in the top two or three. Britain got sold Brexit on economic anxiety and a whole armada of careful lies about the economic consequences.
Trump also talked a good line on LGBTQ+ rights.
Statements about policy intentions need to be read through a lens of plausibility — does it jibe with their core policies and positions?
Statements about policy intentions need to be read through a lens of plausibility — does it jibe with their core policies and positions?
April 29, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Trump also talked a good line on LGBTQ+ rights.
Statements about policy intentions need to be read through a lens of plausibility — does it jibe with their core policies and positions?
Statements about policy intentions need to be read through a lens of plausibility — does it jibe with their core policies and positions?
That’s true. But only partially so.
One also votes *for* something. And there one needs to be somewhat pragmatic and strategic.
Otherwise punishing Labour is only done by shooting yourselves in the heat to prove to them how upset you are.
You can pick another party — we really can’t in the US.
One also votes *for* something. And there one needs to be somewhat pragmatic and strategic.
Otherwise punishing Labour is only done by shooting yourselves in the heat to prove to them how upset you are.
You can pick another party — we really can’t in the US.
April 29, 2026 at 10:58 AM
That’s true. But only partially so.
One also votes *for* something. And there one needs to be somewhat pragmatic and strategic.
Otherwise punishing Labour is only done by shooting yourselves in the heat to prove to them how upset you are.
You can pick another party — we really can’t in the US.
One also votes *for* something. And there one needs to be somewhat pragmatic and strategic.
Otherwise punishing Labour is only done by shooting yourselves in the heat to prove to them how upset you are.
You can pick another party — we really can’t in the US.
And yet it’s the default (spineless) strategy that consultants and such always seem to embrace.
Whatever you all do, do it in a way that doesn’t make *worse* likely.
Because it can get worse.
Always.
Whatever you all do, do it in a way that doesn’t make *worse* likely.
Because it can get worse.
Always.
April 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM
And yet it’s the default (spineless) strategy that consultants and such always seem to embrace.
Whatever you all do, do it in a way that doesn’t make *worse* likely.
Because it can get worse.
Always.
Whatever you all do, do it in a way that doesn’t make *worse* likely.
Because it can get worse.
Always.
How did voting for the lesser evil (Harris) get us the worse one (Trump)? Or did you buy GOP bullshit?
And I fully agree about demanding better. Have worked for it, donated, run for office, etc.
And I fully agree about demanding better. Have worked for it, donated, run for office, etc.
April 29, 2026 at 10:53 AM
How did voting for the lesser evil (Harris) get us the worse one (Trump)? Or did you buy GOP bullshit?
And I fully agree about demanding better. Have worked for it, donated, run for office, etc.
And I fully agree about demanding better. Have worked for it, donated, run for office, etc.
How am *I* doing that?
I’m not a British citizen. I’m an interested observer — and one who’s been rather distracted by the utter madness in the US of late. My trans friends are fleeing parts of the States, at least. Others are moving abroad..
The UK isn’t that screwed. Yet. Reform could do that.
I’m not a British citizen. I’m an interested observer — and one who’s been rather distracted by the utter madness in the US of late. My trans friends are fleeing parts of the States, at least. Others are moving abroad..
The UK isn’t that screwed. Yet. Reform could do that.
April 29, 2026 at 10:51 AM
How am *I* doing that?
I’m not a British citizen. I’m an interested observer — and one who’s been rather distracted by the utter madness in the US of late. My trans friends are fleeing parts of the States, at least. Others are moving abroad..
The UK isn’t that screwed. Yet. Reform could do that.
I’m not a British citizen. I’m an interested observer — and one who’s been rather distracted by the utter madness in the US of late. My trans friends are fleeing parts of the States, at least. Others are moving abroad..
The UK isn’t that screwed. Yet. Reform could do that.
Better doesn’t mean good.
I’m frankly appalled by Starmer’s government.
But if the plausible options are bad and much, much worse, opt for bad.
Political analysis in the UK’s different than in the US. If Green is plausibly going to beat Reform and Labour, fine. Otherwise, for the least bad win.
I’m frankly appalled by Starmer’s government.
But if the plausible options are bad and much, much worse, opt for bad.
Political analysis in the UK’s different than in the US. If Green is plausibly going to beat Reform and Labour, fine. Otherwise, for the least bad win.
April 29, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Better doesn’t mean good.
I’m frankly appalled by Starmer’s government.
But if the plausible options are bad and much, much worse, opt for bad.
Political analysis in the UK’s different than in the US. If Green is plausibly going to beat Reform and Labour, fine. Otherwise, for the least bad win.
I’m frankly appalled by Starmer’s government.
But if the plausible options are bad and much, much worse, opt for bad.
Political analysis in the UK’s different than in the US. If Green is plausibly going to beat Reform and Labour, fine. Otherwise, for the least bad win.
That was the same foolish perspective that, in the US, got people to reject Harris in favor of Trump.
And now regret it, rather seriously.
A bad choice is better than a terrible, evil one. Demand that Labour offer superior leadership, because Reform will only be worse — and worse than you think.
And now regret it, rather seriously.
A bad choice is better than a terrible, evil one. Demand that Labour offer superior leadership, because Reform will only be worse — and worse than you think.
April 29, 2026 at 8:59 AM
That was the same foolish perspective that, in the US, got people to reject Harris in favor of Trump.
And now regret it, rather seriously.
A bad choice is better than a terrible, evil one. Demand that Labour offer superior leadership, because Reform will only be worse — and worse than you think.
And now regret it, rather seriously.
A bad choice is better than a terrible, evil one. Demand that Labour offer superior leadership, because Reform will only be worse — and worse than you think.
“Evil” is a label for what people are doing, or have done.
It’s not useful as a diagnosis for what’s wrong; it’s describing the active symptoms, not the cause.
It’s not useful as a diagnosis for what’s wrong; it’s describing the active symptoms, not the cause.
April 29, 2026 at 8:56 AM
“Evil” is a label for what people are doing, or have done.
It’s not useful as a diagnosis for what’s wrong; it’s describing the active symptoms, not the cause.
It’s not useful as a diagnosis for what’s wrong; it’s describing the active symptoms, not the cause.
Only worse.
My son and his wife (English) got married and had to decide which country to live in.
Their shared analysis: The UK is fucked up. But it’s obviously in less bad shape than the US.
Not just opinion; the decisions of people who have real skin in the game, personally and economically.
My son and his wife (English) got married and had to decide which country to live in.
Their shared analysis: The UK is fucked up. But it’s obviously in less bad shape than the US.
Not just opinion; the decisions of people who have real skin in the game, personally and economically.
April 29, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Only worse.
My son and his wife (English) got married and had to decide which country to live in.
Their shared analysis: The UK is fucked up. But it’s obviously in less bad shape than the US.
Not just opinion; the decisions of people who have real skin in the game, personally and economically.
My son and his wife (English) got married and had to decide which country to live in.
Their shared analysis: The UK is fucked up. But it’s obviously in less bad shape than the US.
Not just opinion; the decisions of people who have real skin in the game, personally and economically.
Don’t kink shame.
I mean, yes, ew. But...
I mean, yes, ew. But...
April 26, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Don’t kink shame.
I mean, yes, ew. But...
I mean, yes, ew. But...
There were plots that were disrupted. Just nothing that ever got close enough to be seen.
Which may point to how incompetent 47’s protection’s gotten.
Which may point to how incompetent 47’s protection’s gotten.
April 26, 2026 at 7:18 AM
There were plots that were disrupted. Just nothing that ever got close enough to be seen.
Which may point to how incompetent 47’s protection’s gotten.
Which may point to how incompetent 47’s protection’s gotten.
Wasn’t wrong, just inaccurate. I mean, have you seen some of the photos of Rubio? He’s developed the thousand yard stare.
April 26, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Wasn’t wrong, just inaccurate. I mean, have you seen some of the photos of Rubio? He’s developed the thousand yard stare.
Historically speaking, most assassinations aren’t the efforts of skilled experts. Not the ones we really care about most, the ones at the top.
Go read about the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and how Gavril Princip killed him. It wasn’t a brilliant plot. Mostly luck (good/bad), really.
Go read about the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and how Gavril Princip killed him. It wasn’t a brilliant plot. Mostly luck (good/bad), really.
April 26, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Historically speaking, most assassinations aren’t the efforts of skilled experts. Not the ones we really care about most, the ones at the top.
Go read about the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and how Gavril Princip killed him. It wasn’t a brilliant plot. Mostly luck (good/bad), really.
Go read about the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and how Gavril Princip killed him. It wasn’t a brilliant plot. Mostly luck (good/bad), really.
Lost skill set?
April 26, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Lost skill set?
Alas, he’s not entirely wrong. Many of us are — willingly — that stupid.
April 26, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Alas, he’s not entirely wrong. Many of us are — willingly — that stupid.