I run into a lot of people insisting they don't live in a democracy.

It's probably a good time to revisit the etymology of the word.

It doesn't mean peaceful. It doesn't even mean fair or good. In fact, it can be a total horror show. The 'rule' of the 'people' can be, quite frankly, murderous.

But when people take to the streets in such numbers that the system of authority gets scared, and overreacts, and is forced to answer... That's democracy.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/democracy

Of course, Gillian Anderson is never going to become invisible. But I appreciate that she knows that most of us do.

Also, I just love the way she says fuck off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUy6kiLC3Aw

It's the countries where hundreds of thousands come out onto the streets and no one bats a fucking eyelid, or just arrests old age pensioners for holding up a Palestinian flag - I'd worry about those countries more.

So... I take a rather different view of what is going on in France.

It seems, coming out onto the streets actually forces some debate in France. Which means, unlike in the UK (Yes, I was on that friggin enormous Rejoin march in London that elicited zero response from the fucking Tory Government) and the US (how many thousands in how many cities?) the French system apparently DOES feel the need to respond to protest.

Like a real democracy

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/24/hundreds-of-thousands-march-across-france-in-protests-over-schools-and-policing

One of the worst sins committed by all parties after the dictatorship was a tacit agreement not to expose the atrocities that occured in those years. The silence has allowed for completely bogus mythologies of some 'real' version of Spain. Many of which far too many young Spanish people have been sucked into believing.

It sincerely depresses me when I meet young Spanish men who have been indoctrinated with this machista nostalgia for a Spain that never was.

I spent my childhood in Madrid under Franco.

People disappeared. People behaved in cowardly ways because they were frightened. Women had few rights, LGBTQ people were persecuted, people belonging to the pueblo gitano were abominably persecuted and their children were stolen.

I don't get misty-eyed over any politician. I know what politics does to even the best of people.

But I am very grateful to be here in Spain now, with a Prime Minister like Sanchez.

Could the PSOE do better? Yes, they could. But compared to other places in the world, I am grateful to be here. Grateful to be allowed to be here.

And proud

https://www.instagram.com/reel/De3n-RfMU1X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&srtk=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

I notice all the talk of live-streaming the firing squad execution has suddenly disappeared.

I guess someone figured out the optics of a bunch of men in uniform shooting a man in a wheel-chair wouldn't go over so well.

But... why would it be okay if he wasn't in a wheelchair. Is it nobler to shoot an unarmed person if they're standing on their own two feet?

How fucking nuts is humanity anyway?

No, don't answer that.

And this... this is evil

And yes, I'm using the word very consciously.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2026/oct/22/how-alabamas-republicans-are-disenfranchising-black-voters-video

Everywhere around the world, there are people glad to have migrant labour when they need it and then treat them like garbage.

I am tired of a world that treats humans like this.

It's evil. It's fucking wrong.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/22/canada-alberta-migrant-workers

It was so offensive and disgusting, I could not actually watch the entirety of the ITV Farage and Reform doc.

I literally can't spend that much time listening to racist, misogynist, corrupt fucks. It hurts my brain and my body revolts.

But it's probably the most powerful political expose in UK history. #ITV

To understand why some people still support Trump. Why many Russians still sincerely do support Putin, I reintroduce you to a really excellent book by Robert Altemeyer - #TheAuthoritarians

Reading it made the world a lot more coherent for me. You can download it free

https://theauthoritarians.org

I think one reason is that most chat bots are designed to encourage users to believe that they are 'working together'. This is utterly false, but it credits the user with work they aren't doing, which feels good.

Another could be that, despite all the outlets for personal expression, it is very easy to feel like one's voice isn't heard and doesn't matter. In that case, what does it matter if one's voice is being usurped.

Have you got any theories?

I have been giving some thought as to why Western societies (I cannot speak for others) who put so much store in individuality and self expression and identity are so willing to let an #LLM in the form of an #AI chat bot speak for them. Because essentially, when you ask AI to write something for you, that is what you're doing.

Why are we so eager to have our own voices usurped? 1/

I really needed proof that there was still some vestige of reason in the world this morning, and I got it

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/alberta-referendum-live-results-9.7385074

I'm a bit depressed this evening. If I've snapped at you, I apologise.

Good night.

Maybe we should all try being a little more French.🔥

RE: https://mstdn.social/@Remittancegirl/117469705268653568

If a billion dollars will not buy you protection from the US, do you think disapproval and diplomacy will?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/19/saudi-arabia-trump-relationship