James Spackman

It’s all about connections!

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

My threads:

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@principo @AC_cor_NAFO @DAlperovitch Putin’s vision is cross-eyed.

He built his holiday home as much as a relay station and coastguard watchtower, but it’s a bit too far from the shipping route to be useful and Sochi’s decline since 2014 means it’s way-station to nowhere.

It’s the lair of a Bond villain.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

From his lair on the coast at sunny Cape Idokopas, Putin looks out over the Sea of Azov...

Russia’s long-held ambition for deep ports in warm waters are essential for global expansion.

The Kerch-Crimea bridge is his harbour gate.
https://t.co/lw7RDR1sUT

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@principo @AC_cor_NAFO @DAlperovitch Yes, the house is a metaphor for Putin’s vision.

A massive waste of money, to establish a precarious position of isolated superficial grandeur.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

And here’s a 2023 study on the ‘real effects’ of tax-shifting.

https://t.co/MTh98tOZOy

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

Let’s talk about tax evasion by the rich…

[Tony Annett @tonyannett]

There’s one simple reason why the number of OECD countries with wealth taxes fell from 12 in 1990 to 3 today: the unlimited ability to move capital across borders. Note that this is not a law of nature; it’s policy choice.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

Here’s a 2022 study on tax evasion by the plutocratic global jetset.

https://t.co/8uQZu9qAR3

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@frostReZv2 @prestonstew_ I’m criticising your analysis, not your conclusion.

The Yank mindset finds it difficult to distinguish fame from infamy.

Here, certain classic comic lines left an indelible imprint.

“Politics is fame for ugly people” is one, here’s another.
https://t.co/i71HqpX2Vl

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

I remember the nuns at my Bible classes…

…even to my youthful primary-school eyes, 95yr-old Sister Gregoria was quite clearly mortally obsessed by the naked male torture of the crucifixion.

[BBC World Service @bbcworldservice]

Francília and Luiza were going to be nuns but instead ended up marrying each other. They remain deeply Catholic and connect with others online who are questioning their sexuality.

🎧 The priest leading the way for LGBT rights in Poland https://t.co/e7d6ZCnGcj

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@johnmilbank3 Why have you unlearned English to write AI? Do you hate books?

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@frostReZv2 @prestonstew_ Fame in politics?

You’re not serious.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@RWTaylors @FT Hi Ritchie, who is this ‘we’ you speak of?

Are they in the room with you now?

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@AC_cor_NAFO @principo @DAlperovitch That house is a liability, not an asset.

It needs $10m in repairs every year. The subsidence is particularly problematic.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

Maybe Russia should have a poll on how the people feel elections should be conducted.

Anything less than 99% support for ‘don’t have elections, democracy is anti-Russian’ would be a calamitous defeat for Putin.

[EUvsDisinfo @EUvsDisinfo]

Moscow regularly comments on how elections should be conducted in neighbouring countries. 

Election integrity is a curious area of expertise, considering Russia’s domestic election record.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@CeltaidDraign @Vikinghistory To be honest, it’s cheesy.

Backing group for A-ha would’ve been better.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@AlastairMarti16 @Vikinghistory Don’t confuse Saxons from the Elbe with the Anglo-Saxons who migrated to found Engerland.

Your yank language is a complete giveaway. Try growing up.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@CodpieceUK @Vikinghistory Did you read the previous comment?

[Irwin Fletcher @IrwinFletc80851]

@Vikinghistory I didn’t know there were black Vikings? Interesting

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@sikorskiradek Catching up is easier than forging ahead.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@BBCNewsnight @irgarner I really dislike the former Maiden Erlegh prefect. He inspires nothing but distrust.

Both in personal interactions and in everything he has written over the years.

We know what happened with him - his insecurity led him to ally with the bullies.

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

I’ve mentioned this before.
@DAaronovitch

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

@VOANews In discourse on every sort of corrupt crime, we regularly hear use of ‘mentoring’ and ‘grooming’.

While usage covers positive and negative interpretations, this perpetrates a gap which fosters confusion.

It’s important to know where the line is drawn.

https://t.co/5N7lZK2V2q

[James Spackman @JamesSpackman]

When people talk about ‘grooming’, they neglect that this is victim-centred.

A balanced approach to language would note the perpetrators were also groomed, but this is called ‘mentoring’ - a new word is needed to emphasise the negative connotations.

[David Aaronovitch @DAaronovitch]

@ChrisWhittle66 Not just the Pakistani heritage men involved in grooming by the way. Society was slow to deal with the problem of grooming, not least because it didn't value the young women and girls who were affected.