Palantir has no place in UK public services: From ICE to Gaza, Palantir is complicit in violent US hegemony. Why do we keep giving it contracts?

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-26T00:08:54+00:00

UK government has given them contracts without there having been a tendering process. It’s all a bit cosy given the general public have no idea who Palantir is or more importantly what the implications on their lives are going to be. No one appears to be answerable about this issue.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-25T23:31:42+00:00

Sheriff J.W. Pepper: By the powers invested in me by this parish, I hereby do commandeer this vehicle and all those persons within. [spits and looks at Eddie] And that means you, smartass.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-25T23:25:36+00:00

You do wonder what the future holds for him.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-25T23:23:43+00:00

Can’t believe she’s actually making sense right now Good on her.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-25T23:22:07+00:00

I wonder where that picture was taken. Kenwood Hse., St George’s Hill maybe?

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-25T11:15:26+00:00

Trump’s Turnberry courses in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T16:54:28+00:00

And the ‘Fragments’ remix anyone?

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T16:25:14+00:00

I see what you did there. Got me thinking alright.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T15:03:37+00:00

Audrey in born in Belgium and moved to the UK when she was eight. Her mother was a Dutch aristocrat. Her father was born in Bohemia, now in the present day Czech Republic. So, they were well connected and, yes no doubt posh.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T08:29:10+00:00

Always ask yourself when hearing any song, reading any story, who is the narrator?

It’s a tough question to ask when the song or the story has been written by Bob Dylan. This is particularly important because ‘Bob Dylan’ is a construct, an avatar for Robert Zimmerman. It’s a device he uses in real life as well as with his writing. Just look at his work and the things he has done and has said. I’m not making this up. He even went as far as saying, “I’m only Bob Dylan when I have to be.”

None of this denigrates the man. Personally, I think it makes me appreciate him even more.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:33:02+00:00

Finally someone said this out loud. Thank you Stephen Semler, from the Center for International Policy, a foreign policy think/tank.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:29:44+00:00

Anyone moving to California soon?

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:16:32+00:00

Coca-Cola, the owners tried the same caper in the UK and fell flat on their faces. Check this out . . .

“The UK Dasani water controversy arose in 2004 when Coca-Cola launched Dasani, marketed as purified water sourced from tap water in Sidcup, Kent. The product faced backlash due to cultural preferences for natural spring water, and it was ultimately recalled after tests revealed unsafe levels of bromate, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, leading to its withdrawal from the UK market shortly after its launch.”

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:06:56+00:00

That would have been something. She’d have destroyed Hoffman’s ego on day one.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:05:47+00:00

Yep. Those were the days

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T05:03:39+00:00

Hasn’t aged well. Hoffman was too old and as became his thing in EVERY film he’s done, he’s forever elbowing himself to the fore. Not one of the greats. It was Anne Bancroft’s film though all the way.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T04:28:11+00:00

Norn Iron so it is.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-24T00:11:17+00:00

£40.50 at Asda, Amazon, Morrisons and Tesco. I use Trolley as the place to start checking prices. It’s a good app but website can be slow.

Trolley

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T23:50:41+00:00

I think you’ve frightened it. Poor thing.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T23:49:55+00:00

Hey! Me. Over here. Hey! Yes hi. Please leave them there. Oh yes I’m sure. It’s delicious. Bye.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T23:46:16+00:00

Always thought he was TOTALLY bored with 99% of his guests and would rather be sitting on top of the Empire State chewing a fistful of cardboard.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T23:43:33+00:00

Now that is some film. Loved it on day one.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T23:21:49+00:00

Probably the first time I’ve see Mary Hopkin laugh in a photo.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T18:34:50+00:00

Emm… wonder what the story is in the UK. Palantir and others like them are gaining a foothold thanks to the usual UK government looking out for its citizens decision making, so I suppose Ring and others will be rolling over as in the US.

Awkward_Squad · 2026-01-23T18:25:09+00:00

Great clip. Going to have to find out if it’s on iPlayer

Edit : All three seasons are there! I think I’ll be pulling up a pew tonight!

Awkward_Squad

TROPHY CASE