The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by producer Tony Groves to talk the reality of our homelessness crisis, the horror of AI/X Grok's CSAM, Simon Harris joining Jim O'Callaghan on the anti-immigrant bus, Climate Action getting binned by government and why the Left needs to focus on kitchen table issues in 2026. Editors Note: Rory subsequently abandoned his twitter/x account. Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291 The Immigration "Debate" Podcast with Lawyer Cathal Malone is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148191117 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This podcast contains a personal story that discusses topics that some listeners may find upsetting. Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way of living, feeling, and speaking the truth of the spirit, pain, and enduring hope of my people. In this very special episode Ali shares his story. Warning: He dose not spare any detail and discusses topics listeners may find upsetting. Ali has also been published on We Are Not Numbers, The Nation, The Electronic Intifada, and The Intercept. The Immigration "Debate" Podcast with Lawyer Cathal Malone is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148191117 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack special, lecturer at ATU Sligo, Editor of the Irish Marxist Review and author of Tax Haven Ireland, Dr Brian O'Boyle, breaks down the so-called Donroe Doctrine and how it differs from the old American imperial expansionist regime. He talks about Venezuela from the Chavez-Bolivarian Revolution to the Maduro Kleptocracy and he gives a great analogy about bullying that you don't want to miss. "You hit my brother!" The Doc mentioned is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH5nzZU0qCc Editors note: Tony got the Italy -Mercosur vote the wrong way around. But the implication made is still valid. Latest PalCast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148118568 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack special, Manager of Environmental Law Ireland, and human dynamo, Attracta Ui Bhroin, joins me to discuss the proposed changes to access to justice that will tilt the scales of justice away from ordinary members of the public. Attracta breaks down what is at stake, the lack of accountability and oversight, how we got here and how you, YES YOU, can help us avoid this potential omnishambles. Call to Action It is essential to encourage submissions before the deadline this Thu 15th Jan at 5:30 to aarhus@dcee.gov.ie on the "Consultation on the regulation of costs payable in matters prescribed on foot of section 294 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Scale of Fees)" If there is only one line you have time can get in - it should be something to highlight any concerns you have on the chilling effect of these proposals, and the lack of clarity you have on their implications for cost exposure on your own costs in JR, if you have such concerns. If there is only time for a second line - it should be on your concerns about how poor the consultation has been, if you have such concerns. To get in touch with Attracta email:ScalesOfJusticeIreland@gmail.com The Donroe-Dumbroe Doctrine Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-147717138 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Madrid-based Journalist Eoghan Gilmartin and Professor at IE University, Madrid, Joe Haslam are back to talk Pedro Sanchez as the reverse Keir Starmer, standing up to Trump, Spain's economic miracle, Catalan independence in 2026, the frightening rise of far right Vox and why you should never ever get into the pub business. Warning: Contains strong language and tepid debates. Love you, lads xx The Donroe-Dumbroe Doctrine Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-147717138 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This podcast contains a personal story that discusses topics that some listeners may find upsetting. Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way of living, feeling, and speaking the truth of the spirit, pain, and enduring hope of my people. In this very special episode Ali shares his story. Warning: He dose not spare any detail and discusses topics listeners may find upsetting. Ali has also been published on We Are Not Numbers, The Nation, The Electronic Intifada, and The Intercept. The Donroe Doctrine Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-147717138 Pedro Sanchez's Spain special podcast is out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146421867 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Very unhelpfully, our Government chose to publish a "Consultation on the regulation of costs" pertaining to settled EU Law (Aarhaus Convention 2005) just before they headed of for Christmas. An act so sneaky that it gives the public only until Jan 15th to have their say. A cynic might think they don't want to hear from us at all. So in this Call to Action podcast, solicitor (not satan) Fred Logue tells us what is happening and how, if the government get their way, access to justice will become a plaything of the already privileged. If you think this is wrong please make your views known by emailing aarhus@dcee.gov.ie by 15 January Link here:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/consultations/consultation-on-the-regulation-of-costs-payable-in-matters-prescribed-on-foot-of-section-295-of-the-planning-and-development-act-2024-scale-of-fees/ The Latest from Latin America with el Pais journalist, Nicholas Dale Leal is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-147561629 Pedro Sanchez's Spain special podcast is out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146421867 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Colombian journalist with el Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, rejoined me to talk Latin America, Trump’s regime change plans for Venezuela, the far right on the rise in Chile and Honduras and the hopeful pushback from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico. 2025 was not a great year for the left in Latin-South America. But at the end Nicholas gives us some insight into how 2026 might be different. I'm not so confident. Podcast with Palestinian Author, Mahmoud Mushtaha is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146076759 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Rewa (Riwaa) Abu Khota is a resilient young Palestinian woman from Rafah, displaced by war. In this heartfelt discussion, she shares her harrowing experiences living in a tent for over a year. Rewa vividly describes the relentless struggle against storms, cold, and flooding. She speaks about caring for her disabled sister and the despair of lost dreams, as even basic routines have morphed into survival tasks. Her reflections on the dangers of daily life under drone surveillance illustrate the harsh reality for her family as they seek safety amidst chaos.

This discussion features Simon McGarr, a barrister focused on Irish politics, and Harry McEvins, an election analyst from irishelectionprojections.com. They explore the surprising landslide victory of Catherine Connolly in the presidential election and how media missteps overlooked her grassroots campaign. The duo warns about the potential AI investment bubble and the erosion of US governance, while examining Ireland's judicial review challenges. They also delve into political infighting, far-right rhetoric, and express cautious optimism about future social movements.