James Kierstead
@mrpropter.bsky.social
Classicist and think tanker. Democracy or bust, ελευθερία ή θάνατος, Deus sive natura. Kiwi Dorset Canadian
Reposted by James Kierstead
It never gets old
February 12, 2026 at 11:29 PM
It never gets old
A line of lights on Clapham Common
February 16, 2026 at 1:08 AM
A line of lights on Clapham Common
Building(s) from the temple by the river
February 14, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Building(s) from the temple by the river
Reposted by James Kierstead
It never gets old
February 12, 2026 at 11:29 PM
It never gets old
Reposted by James Kierstead
Houses on Latchmere Road on a winter evening
February 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Houses on Latchmere Road on a winter evening
Reposted by James Kierstead
Another lighthouse on another stormy day. From the archives. Pigeon Point.
#photography #lighthouse #californiacoast
#photography #lighthouse #californiacoast
February 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Another lighthouse on another stormy day. From the archives. Pigeon Point.
#photography #lighthouse #californiacoast
#photography #lighthouse #californiacoast
Reposted by James Kierstead
Reposted by James Kierstead
In this piece on my Substack I argue that the New Zealand Parliament has been under-sized for around 135 years, and that the country's persistently puny parliaments are a result mainly of 'path dependence' following cost-cutting measures in the 1880s.
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
New Zealand's Parliament has been under-sized for about 135 years years now
The number of MPs is too damn low
owlofathena.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:37 PM
In this piece on my Substack I argue that the New Zealand Parliament has been under-sized for around 135 years, and that the country's persistently puny parliaments are a result mainly of 'path dependence' following cost-cutting measures in the 1880s.
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
Houses on Latchmere Road on a winter evening
February 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Houses on Latchmere Road on a winter evening
In this piece on my Substack I argue that the New Zealand Parliament has been under-sized for around 135 years, and that the country's persistently puny parliaments are a result mainly of 'path dependence' following cost-cutting measures in the 1880s.
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
New Zealand's Parliament has been under-sized for about 135 years years now
The number of MPs is too damn low
owlofathena.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:37 PM
In this piece on my Substack I argue that the New Zealand Parliament has been under-sized for around 135 years, and that the country's persistently puny parliaments are a result mainly of 'path dependence' following cost-cutting measures in the 1880s.
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
owlofathena.substack.com/p/new-zealan...
The latest episode of the Free Kiwis! podcast was something of a departure for us, as my recent short trip to Istanbul gave me an opportunity to do some quick research into censorship and authoritarianism is Erdogan’s Turkey. youtu.be/hDsEdj6xso0?...
An update on free speech and other issues in Turkey, NZ, and the UK (Free Kiwis! Dialogues)
YouTube video by Free Kiwis!
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The latest episode of the Free Kiwis! podcast was something of a departure for us, as my recent short trip to Istanbul gave me an opportunity to do some quick research into censorship and authoritarianism is Erdogan’s Turkey. youtu.be/hDsEdj6xso0?...
Reposted by James Kierstead
Alcaraz and Sinner have won the last 9 Grand Slams
Australian Open 2026 - Alcaraz
US Open 2025 - Alcaraz
Wimbledon 2025 - Sinner
Roland Garros 2025 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2025 - Sinner
US Open 2024 - Sinner
Wimbledon 2024 - Alcaraz
Roland Garros 2024 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2024 - Sinner
🇪🇸🇮🇹
Australian Open 2026 - Alcaraz
US Open 2025 - Alcaraz
Wimbledon 2025 - Sinner
Roland Garros 2025 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2025 - Sinner
US Open 2024 - Sinner
Wimbledon 2024 - Alcaraz
Roland Garros 2024 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2024 - Sinner
🇪🇸🇮🇹
February 1, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Alcaraz and Sinner have won the last 9 Grand Slams
Australian Open 2026 - Alcaraz
US Open 2025 - Alcaraz
Wimbledon 2025 - Sinner
Roland Garros 2025 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2025 - Sinner
US Open 2024 - Sinner
Wimbledon 2024 - Alcaraz
Roland Garros 2024 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2024 - Sinner
🇪🇸🇮🇹
Australian Open 2026 - Alcaraz
US Open 2025 - Alcaraz
Wimbledon 2025 - Sinner
Roland Garros 2025 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2025 - Sinner
US Open 2024 - Sinner
Wimbledon 2024 - Alcaraz
Roland Garros 2024 - Alcaraz
Australian Open 2024 - Sinner
🇪🇸🇮🇹
Reposted by James Kierstead
If you care about Don Lemon, don't forgot Mario Guevara (reporter who was filming police at a No Kings rally in June) was targeted for his journalistic activity; detained for 112 days; and deported. He had no criminal charges against him and was on the path to getting a green card.
February 1, 2026 at 9:40 AM
If you care about Don Lemon, don't forgot Mario Guevara (reporter who was filming police at a No Kings rally in June) was targeted for his journalistic activity; detained for 112 days; and deported. He had no criminal charges against him and was on the path to getting a green card.
Reposted by James Kierstead
Almost my photo choice today, here are the crocuses I am keeping an eye on, teasing me big time!
The promise of things soon to come 🤗 #NotLongNow #365DaysWild #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
The promise of things soon to come 🤗 #NotLongNow #365DaysWild #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Almost my photo choice today, here are the crocuses I am keeping an eye on, teasing me big time!
The promise of things soon to come 🤗 #NotLongNow #365DaysWild #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
The promise of things soon to come 🤗 #NotLongNow #365DaysWild #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
I believe this Is the medieval glass in St. John’s Almshouse in Sherborne. I hope to do a video about it soonish, hopefully from the inside!
February 1, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I believe this Is the medieval glass in St. John’s Almshouse in Sherborne. I hope to do a video about it soonish, hopefully from the inside!
Just found out about *Eleni,* apparently a classic non-fiction account of the brutality of Nazis and communists in 40s and 50s Greece. Is it weird that the author is one Nicholas Gage, considering who's in the film of *Captain Corelli's Mandolin* (which also touches on Nazis and communists?)
January 31, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Just found out about *Eleni,* apparently a classic non-fiction account of the brutality of Nazis and communists in 40s and 50s Greece. Is it weird that the author is one Nicholas Gage, considering who's in the film of *Captain Corelli's Mandolin* (which also touches on Nazis and communists?)
Reposted by James Kierstead
January 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Reposted by James Kierstead
Our friend the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is a small toad who lives in the eastern United States from Maryland to Florida! They love to eat ants and have developed a fold of skin on their back that can extend to cover their eyes to protect from bites while feeding! (photo by Dominic)
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Our friend the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is a small toad who lives in the eastern United States from Maryland to Florida! They love to eat ants and have developed a fold of skin on their back that can extend to cover their eyes to protect from bites while feeding! (photo by Dominic)
Reposted by James Kierstead
I agree with this old piece that my dear mother cut out and saved for me: free speech is important to defend even if we have reasons to dislike and distrust some who claim its mantle
January 30, 2026 at 4:39 PM
I agree with this old piece that my dear mother cut out and saved for me: free speech is important to defend even if we have reasons to dislike and distrust some who claim its mantle
Reposted by James Kierstead
Rosette Pyxie Cup Lichen, Cladonia Pyxidata. NWT, Canada. The lichen is approximately 1cm high.
#lichen #fungi #fungifriends
#lichen #fungi #fungifriends
January 27, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Rosette Pyxie Cup Lichen, Cladonia Pyxidata. NWT, Canada. The lichen is approximately 1cm high.
#lichen #fungi #fungifriends
#lichen #fungi #fungifriends
Sherborne Old Castle from the Oborne road
January 28, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Sherborne Old Castle from the Oborne road
Reposted by James Kierstead
the headline undersells it as always but this is a clear and unequivocal analysis that leaves no significant doubt about the killing of Alex Pretti
Video: New Video Analysis Reveals Flawed and Fatal Decisions in Shooting of Pretti
A frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti and the two officers who fired 10 times shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:33 AM
the headline undersells it as always but this is a clear and unequivocal analysis that leaves no significant doubt about the killing of Alex Pretti