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.
With everything going on in the USA, it is worth looking back at what influenced both the founders of the USA, and the framers of the constitution. An excellent conversation and worth listening too youtu.be/HHcrFvKltUE?...
Ancient Rome and America's Founding Fathers
YouTube video by Toldinstone Footnotes
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 5:36 PM
With everything going on in the USA, it is worth looking back at what influenced both the founders of the USA, and the framers of the constitution. An excellent conversation and worth listening too youtu.be/HHcrFvKltUE?...
Nukemap. Still the best way to see what happens if your city/town/residence "wins" the atomic bomb lottery.
As part of an effort to hold myself externally accountable for making upgrades to the NUKEMAP, and also to make "visible" some of the work I've been doing on it over the last few years, I wrote up an ambitious plan for what I intend to do for the site in 2026: blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2026/02/10/n...
NUKEMAP roadmap
I've been working on upgrades to the NUKEMAP for several years now, but I actually would like to get them implemented this year. I figured that one way to...
blog.nuclearsecrecy.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Nukemap. Still the best way to see what happens if your city/town/residence "wins" the atomic bomb lottery.
The threats and bullying are beyond tiresome. He wants us to pay our share, then complains at a lack of US content. At least I don't need to look at Trump's hate twisted face as the headline image. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Ontario and Michigan | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 7:42 AM
The threats and bullying are beyond tiresome. He wants us to pay our share, then complains at a lack of US content. At least I don't need to look at Trump's hate twisted face as the headline image. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This article makes me wonder how the Canadian division of Home Depot is doing. When I built my deck last summer I went to Home Building Centers for the materials. Not everything I buy can be Canadian, but at least I can buy from Canadian companies
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown. n.pr/4cd0u1o
DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown.
n.pr
February 7, 2026 at 4:02 PM
This article makes me wonder how the Canadian division of Home Depot is doing. When I built my deck last summer I went to Home Building Centers for the materials. Not everything I buy can be Canadian, but at least I can buy from Canadian companies
There aren't many English language YouTube channels that discuss WWII from an Italian perspective, but Armored Italia, a new channel by an amateur historian (aren't we all) has promise. This is part 1 on the Italian participation in the Battle of Kasserine Pass youtu.be/dvRwKGaV8uI?...
Kasserine Pass Part I: The Bersaglieri Breakthrough
YouTube video by Armored Italia
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 7:24 PM
There aren't many English language YouTube channels that discuss WWII from an Italian perspective, but Armored Italia, a new channel by an amateur historian (aren't we all) has promise. This is part 1 on the Italian participation in the Battle of Kasserine Pass youtu.be/dvRwKGaV8uI?...
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Genetics
Zoology
WW2 History
Linguistics (morphemes, phonemes, etc)
Mesoamerican Archaeology
Genetics
Zoology
WW2 History
Linguistics (morphemes, phonemes, etc)
Mesoamerican Archaeology
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Nagarjuna to Nishitani
Soils
Soren Kierkegaard
From Blues to Rock
Sanskrit (loved it)
Nagarjuna to Nishitani
Soils
Soren Kierkegaard
From Blues to Rock
Sanskrit (loved it)
Beethoven and his Nine Symphonies
The Rise of Modern Science
Modern Hebrew
Ulysses
Intro to Math (best class)
The Rise of Modern Science
Modern Hebrew
Ulysses
Intro to Math (best class)
January 31, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Genetics
Zoology
WW2 History
Linguistics (morphemes, phonemes, etc)
Mesoamerican Archaeology
Genetics
Zoology
WW2 History
Linguistics (morphemes, phonemes, etc)
Mesoamerican Archaeology
Even factoring in things like selection bias, anyone who knows about the Canadian political landscape realizes that this is a damning indictment of Trump regime policies
CANADA VOTES:
Last week in my newsletter (newsletter.todmaffin.com), I asked whether Canada should suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement, the deal that blocks asylum claims from people coming from the United States.
It wasn’t even close.
Last week in my newsletter (newsletter.todmaffin.com), I asked whether Canada should suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement, the deal that blocks asylum claims from people coming from the United States.
It wasn’t even close.
January 31, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Even factoring in things like selection bias, anyone who knows about the Canadian political landscape realizes that this is a damning indictment of Trump regime policies
Precisely the sort of thing Don Trump would do, and my sarcasm aside, even his attempt at something like this is worth worrying about.
"Mr Trump once urged a mob to storm the Capitol ... This year, the argument runs, he could claim that immigrants are trying to vote illegally, post menacing ICE agents at polling stations and so frighten Democrat-supporting ethnic minorities into staying at home."
Immigration agents have become Donald Trump’s personal posse
That is a liability for America and, increasingly, for him
www.economist.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Precisely the sort of thing Don Trump would do, and my sarcasm aside, even his attempt at something like this is worth worrying about.
As a bit of a follow up to my non-violent protest post, there's this from Canadian media personality Tod Maffin
🔴 NEW VIDEO: Protests feel small until history catches up.
Protests feel small until history catches up.
Protests feel small until history catches up.
✅ Get my free newsletter: newsletter.todmaffin.com
☕ Help support my work: support.todmaffin.com
🎙️ Listen to my podcast: podcast.todmaffin.com
🔗 Follow me on social: links.todmaffin.com
✉️ Contact my team: contact.todmaffin.com
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:48 PM
As a bit of a follow up to my non-violent protest post, there's this from Canadian media personality Tod Maffin
If you're an American reading this, at least give yourself the knowledge of how to do non-violent protest. It's hard to step back once both sides are shooting.
Read Theory! ( @jamellebouie.net sure does)
January 25, 2026 at 6:04 PM
If you're an American reading this, at least give yourself the knowledge of how to do non-violent protest. It's hard to step back once both sides are shooting.
And again, a scholar of Old Norse feels compelled to speak out. "Recently it has come to my attention that some people confuse Iceland and Greenland..." No political commentary beyond that, but a cool video nonetheless youtu.be/RIWHcKzcCc0?...
Iceland and Greenland: The Difference (beyond the basics) and some neat commonalities
YouTube video by Jackson Crawford
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 11:55 PM
And again, a scholar of Old Norse feels compelled to speak out. "Recently it has come to my attention that some people confuse Iceland and Greenland..." No political commentary beyond that, but a cool video nonetheless youtu.be/RIWHcKzcCc0?...
My first thought was bring it on. My second thought, based on Trump's initial approval of the deal was, "What person(s) in his cabal of advisors persuaded him that tariffs were a good response." Regardless, they couldn't beat Denmark, and they won't beat Canada apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump threatens Canada with a 100% tariff over its China trade deal and escalates feud with Carney
President Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if America’s northern neighbor goes ahead with its trade deal with China.
apnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:08 PM
My first thought was bring it on. My second thought, based on Trump's initial approval of the deal was, "What person(s) in his cabal of advisors persuaded him that tariffs were a good response." Regardless, they couldn't beat Denmark, and they won't beat Canada apnews.com/article/trum...
Trumps is right about one thing, nobody has ever done a job like he has done
January 23, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Trumps is right about one thing, nobody has ever done a job like he has done
And if you look at it per million population it goes Denmark 7.82, UK 7.25, and Canada in a distant 3rd at 4.68. Regardless of how you look at it, every country on the list has paid their dues in blood.
Death toll in Afghanistan when NATO answered the US’s call:
- 453 Britons
- 158 Canadians
- 89 French
- 59 Germans
- 53 Italians
- 44 Danes
- 17 Spaniards
“Stayed a little back, off the front lines “!
No one in the media will call him out over this lie or any of the others he spouts.
- 453 Britons
- 158 Canadians
- 89 French
- 59 Germans
- 53 Italians
- 44 Danes
- 17 Spaniards
“Stayed a little back, off the front lines “!
No one in the media will call him out over this lie or any of the others he spouts.
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."
January 22, 2026 at 10:06 PM
And if you look at it per million population it goes Denmark 7.82, UK 7.25, and Canada in a distant 3rd at 4.68. Regardless of how you look at it, every country on the list has paid their dues in blood.
What a stupid, petty, spiteful little man. All he deserves is pity for his total lack of ability to understand anything. He's not worth contempt even. Mussolini and Hitler had bravery. Trump has nothing. Words just fail. youtu.be/X6QINc5vM9A?...
‘Canada lives because of the United States,’ Trump tells Davos
YouTube video by The Globe and Mail
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 2:01 AM
What a stupid, petty, spiteful little man. All he deserves is pity for his total lack of ability to understand anything. He's not worth contempt even. Mussolini and Hitler had bravery. Trump has nothing. Words just fail. youtu.be/X6QINc5vM9A?...
I agree with the reasons given why Trump is obsessed with Greenland but not the order. I would say narcissism, incompetence, and finally strategy. If Trump wanting Greenland agrees with the US NSS it is a happy coincidence for those who wrote the document, but nothing more. youtu.be/PwRsTDlqU8I?...
Trump's obsession with Greenland
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 1:08 PM
I agree with the reasons given why Trump is obsessed with Greenland but not the order. I would say narcissism, incompetence, and finally strategy. If Trump wanting Greenland agrees with the US NSS it is a happy coincidence for those who wrote the document, but nothing more. youtu.be/PwRsTDlqU8I?...
Reposted by James Halls
To all actors who have played crazy tyrannical megalomaniac monarchs, I sincerely apologize that events have overtaken your parody and exaggeration. Please try harder to be unrealistic next time.
January 19, 2026 at 7:11 AM
To all actors who have played crazy tyrannical megalomaniac monarchs, I sincerely apologize that events have overtaken your parody and exaggeration. Please try harder to be unrealistic next time.
Speaking of bathing insanely www.bbc.com/news/article...
January 19, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Speaking of bathing insanely www.bbc.com/news/article...
Not every inappropriate word replacement made by autocorrect is completely unhinged. For example in a comment about Trump I attempted to write "batshit insane" and autocorrect changed it to "bathing insanely", which given the topic, could work
January 19, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Not every inappropriate word replacement made by autocorrect is completely unhinged. For example in a comment about Trump I attempted to write "batshit insane" and autocorrect changed it to "bathing insanely", which given the topic, could work
I don't know Dr Crawford, though through his online persona he always struck me as a practical, no-nonsense kind of guy, but I gotta say, I'm shocked. This not what I expected. And yes, I support what he is calling for: Impeach and remove Trump. youtube.com/post/Ugkx3J5...
Post from Jackson Crawford - YouTube
Impeach and remove. We need our allies in this dangerous world. This aggression against Greenland and Scandinavia is self-destructive.
youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:15 AM
I don't know Dr Crawford, though through his online persona he always struck me as a practical, no-nonsense kind of guy, but I gotta say, I'm shocked. This not what I expected. And yes, I support what he is calling for: Impeach and remove Trump. youtube.com/post/Ugkx3J5...
And less than 24 hours after his first video about Greenland, Old Norse scholar Dr. Jackson Crawford felt compelled to talk *again* about how the Trump regime handles Scandinavia, in this case the comment about Iceland being the 52nd state youtu.be/FJAqGUHNX7w?...
January 17, 2026 at 11:07 PM
And less than 24 hours after his first video about Greenland, Old Norse scholar Dr. Jackson Crawford felt compelled to talk *again* about how the Trump regime handles Scandinavia, in this case the comment about Iceland being the 52nd state youtu.be/FJAqGUHNX7w?...
Perhaps Donald Trump has gone too far when an American from Colorado who is a scholar of Old Norse, a guy who has actually translated and published some of the Norse Sagas into English, feels the need to speak out against Trump's talk about taking Greenland youtu.be/v7JD5FgDzLg?...
Norse (and Danish) presence in Greenland: some historical context
YouTube video by Jackson Crawford
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Perhaps Donald Trump has gone too far when an American from Colorado who is a scholar of Old Norse, a guy who has actually translated and published some of the Norse Sagas into English, feels the need to speak out against Trump's talk about taking Greenland youtu.be/v7JD5FgDzLg?...
Why smoke grenades are not tear gas. Good info from someone who knows what they're talking about.
OK. Green smoke. Coloured smoke grenades have existed for decades. They are for signalling purposes. They are not meant for riot control purposes. As with any smoke, they are irritating, but they are not meant for that purpose, so use as "riot control" agents is an off-label usage.
January 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Why smoke grenades are not tear gas. Good info from someone who knows what they're talking about.
Meanwhile, in South Korea failed insurrectionist and former president Yoon is facing this www.bbc.com/news/article...
Yoon Suk Yeol: S Korea prosecutors seek death penalty over failed insurrection attempt
Yoon is accused of leading an insurrection when he tried to impose martial law in 2024.
www.bbc.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Meanwhile, in South Korea failed insurrectionist and former president Yoon is facing this www.bbc.com/news/article...