James Halls
@topsey.bsky.social
Jack of all trades, master of none. Knows just enough to be dangerous. Usually to himself. Lives in the north half of North America.
The Central American research points at different local volcanoes though. It will be interesting to see how things settle out. But *no* bubonic plague!
December 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The Central American research points at different local volcanoes though. It will be interesting to see how things settle out. But *no* bubonic plague!
There are records of major issues in Central America as well. The Maya area suffered a major slowdown starting about 540, and extreme weather events seem to have contributed to the decline of Teotihuacan, a city of 100,000+ people, in the following 50 years. www.science.smith.edu/climatelit/d...
Dark Age in Maya Civilization (c. 540-640 CE) - Climate in Arts and History
What happened? Maya civilization, the most advanced society in pre-Colombian America, occupied a large portion of Central America (map below) from c. 2000 BCE until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The civilization reached its peak c. 250-900 CE during the so-called Maya Classic Period. Researchers have realized that there is a 100 year […]
www.science.smith.edu
December 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
There are records of major issues in Central America as well. The Maya area suffered a major slowdown starting about 540, and extreme weather events seem to have contributed to the decline of Teotihuacan, a city of 100,000+ people, in the following 50 years. www.science.smith.edu/climatelit/d...
I see the GPS system, or equivalent, of every power that has one going down within hours (minutes?) of a major conflict starting. Granted a good clock, etc. can do wonders to determine position, but why make it easy?
December 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I see the GPS system, or equivalent, of every power that has one going down within hours (minutes?) of a major conflict starting. Granted a good clock, etc. can do wonders to determine position, but why make it easy?
And an Australian view from Mick Ryan 3/3 bsky.app/profile/wari...
The Trump administration's new National Security Strategy (NSS) is out. There is disappointment & despondency in Europe. But, in the Pacific, there is reason for cautious optimism and hope. Unless you are China of course.
My latest assessment:
mickryan.substack.com/p/shell-be-r...
My latest assessment:
mickryan.substack.com/p/shell-be-r...
She’ll Be Right, Mate: The New U.S. National Security Strategy and the Pacific
An examination of the new Trump administration National Security Strategy and the implications for security and prosperity in the Pacific.
mickryan.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
And an Australian view from Mick Ryan 3/3 bsky.app/profile/wari...
An American view from Michael Shurkin 2/3 bsky.app/profile/mich...
My thoughts on the 2025 National Security Strategy, which could easily be retitled "Travail, famille, patrie."
youtu.be/nqpKWylZjbo
youtu.be/nqpKWylZjbo
National Security Strategy: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
YouTube video by Pax Americana
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
An American view from Michael Shurkin 2/3 bsky.app/profile/mich...
By such legal hairsplitting do lawyers, like Cotton, warp the spirit of laws and regulations. And suddenly the lead insurrectionist is President and giving out pro-active pardons. Cotton probably wonders why his profession is compared unfavorably to rats.
December 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
By such legal hairsplitting do lawyers, like Cotton, warp the spirit of laws and regulations. And suddenly the lead insurrectionist is President and giving out pro-active pardons. Cotton probably wonders why his profession is compared unfavorably to rats.
As long as it makes them vote.
December 7, 2025 at 3:05 AM
As long as it makes them vote.
I was unaware that the various laws against killing survivors of shipwreck had any "but it's ok to kill survivors if their buddies might rescue them" clauses.
December 7, 2025 at 2:45 AM
I was unaware that the various laws against killing survivors of shipwreck had any "but it's ok to kill survivors if their buddies might rescue them" clauses.
But it would be foolish of European nations (much less other liberal democracies anywhere in the world) to assume that the Trump regime will not at least *try* to undermine our elections, public debates, and civil society in general to make us more like them.
December 6, 2025 at 1:22 AM
But it would be foolish of European nations (much less other liberal democracies anywhere in the world) to assume that the Trump regime will not at least *try* to undermine our elections, public debates, and civil society in general to make us more like them.
I hear Putin and Xi laughing
December 6, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I hear Putin and Xi laughing
Creme fouette, compote, or perhaps sirop d'erable? So much riding on the choice of topping.
December 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Creme fouette, compote, or perhaps sirop d'erable? So much riding on the choice of topping.
And they were about to be digitized. FFS. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Museum staff 'devastated' after drawings worth £500,000 destroyed
About 1,700 military drawings from the Royal Engineers Museum were destroyed in the theft last month.
www.bbc.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
And they were about to be digitized. FFS. www.bbc.com/news/article...
I'm sure he's right. After all, Americans never noticed increased prices from Trump's tariffs /s
December 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I'm sure he's right. After all, Americans never noticed increased prices from Trump's tariffs /s
And over-height vehicles will *still* attempt to drive under the bridge. Even if you put up a flashing sign that over-height must turn, a big yellow painted i-beam, and stop lights people would *still* try to drive under the bridge instead of taking the high clearance ramp
December 4, 2025 at 12:32 AM
And over-height vehicles will *still* attempt to drive under the bridge. Even if you put up a flashing sign that over-height must turn, a big yellow painted i-beam, and stop lights people would *still* try to drive under the bridge instead of taking the high clearance ramp