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.
This will not end well. The 8 senators who voted with the Republicans did so on the basis that an ACA funding vote would happen "later." The Republicans will either not let a vote on ACA funding happen, or they will vote that funding down. www.npr.org/2025/11/09/n...
Senators take first step toward reopening the government after historic shutdown
The Senate voted late Sunday evening on a compromise that could reopen the government following the longest shutdown in history.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
This will not end well. The 8 senators who voted with the Republicans did so on the basis that an ACA funding vote would happen "later." The Republicans will either not let a vote on ACA funding happen, or they will vote that funding down. www.npr.org/2025/11/09/n...
A dose of whimsy for the day 🙂 apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A dose of whimsy for the day 🙂 apnews.com/article/louv...
And from the American point of view www.npr.org/2025/11/06/n...
November 7, 2025 at 12:58 AM
And from the American point of view www.npr.org/2025/11/06/n...
Trump could be the Grinch Who Stole Christmas this year, and if he doesn't it won't be for lack of trying. If you have connecting flights in, or are just flying through US airspace, check of for cancellations and schedule changes. List of affected airports in news story www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
FAA is reducing flights at 40 U.S. airports. Here's how Canadian travel will be affected | CBC News
Some Canadian travellers bound for the United States will see cancelled flights and delayed itineraries as the U.S. government shutdown puts pressure on the country's aviation network.
www.cbc.ca
November 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Trump could be the Grinch Who Stole Christmas this year, and if he doesn't it won't be for lack of trying. If you have connecting flights in, or are just flying through US airspace, check of for cancellations and schedule changes. List of affected airports in news story www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Justice has been served 🥁 www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Justice has been served 🥁 www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by James Halls
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
"YouTube insisted that the [appeal] decisions weren’t automated, even when an appeal was denied within one minute." This has the same feel as that time in the 80's Canada Post told Canadians they didn't know how to lick stamps. arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
YouTube denies AI was involved with odd removals of tech tutorials
YouTubers suspect AI is bizarrely removing popular video explainers.
arstechnica.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"YouTube insisted that the [appeal] decisions weren’t automated, even when an appeal was denied within one minute." This has the same feel as that time in the 80's Canada Post told Canadians they didn't know how to lick stamps. arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Doug Ford is, sadly, for Ontarians, a far better politician than Trump. He is doing by stealth over time what Trump tries to do today by bluster. The only reason Ford is a thorn in Trump's side is because, like so many Americans are finding, Ford thought Trump would never come for him
In his first campaign to lead Ontario, Ford started out as a Trump-style populist. But tariffs changed his view and he is now a consistent thorn in the U.S. president's side. n.pr/47pwo6T
Who is Doug Ford, the Canadian politician pushing Trump's buttons?
In his first campaign to lead Ontario, Ford started out as a Trump-style populist. But tariffs changed his view and he is now a consistent thorn in the U.S. president's side.
n.pr
October 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Doug Ford is, sadly, for Ontarians, a far better politician than Trump. He is doing by stealth over time what Trump tries to do today by bluster. The only reason Ford is a thorn in Trump's side is because, like so many Americans are finding, Ford thought Trump would never come for him
The people on this airplane have a sense of duty and self-sacrifice that Donald Trump will never understand. They are NOAA employees flying their plane through the middle of the category 4 Hurricane Melissa south of Jamaica. And they aren't getting paid.
I wish them safe flying and a safe return
I wish them safe flying and a safe return
October 26, 2025 at 11:40 PM
The people on this airplane have a sense of duty and self-sacrifice that Donald Trump will never understand. They are NOAA employees flying their plane through the middle of the category 4 Hurricane Melissa south of Jamaica. And they aren't getting paid.
I wish them safe flying and a safe return
I wish them safe flying and a safe return
The 10% increase is because the Reagan anti-tariff ad ran last night during the World Series. Apparently it's supposed to run tonight too. What do you suppose Trump will do? www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Trump says he's hiking 'tariff on Canada' by 10% 'over and above' what it pays now | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced on social media he will be increasing “the Tariff on Canada” by 10 per cent “over and above what they are paying now" because of an advertisement by the Ontar...
www.cbc.ca
October 26, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The 10% increase is because the Reagan anti-tariff ad ran last night during the World Series. Apparently it's supposed to run tonight too. What do you suppose Trump will do? www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
I'm thinking Don Trump has never heard of the Streisand Effect. You just keep that story in the news cycle, Don Trump. The longer you do, the more Americans will hear that President Reagan thought tariffs were a bad thing
The ad, which used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, aired during a World Series game. Trump said that Ontario's premier didn't act quickly enough to pull the ad.
Trump threatens Canada with 10% extra import tax over anti-tariffs ad
The ad, which used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, aired during a World Series game. Trump said that Ontario's premier didn't act quickly enough to pull the ad.
n.pr
October 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I'm thinking Don Trump has never heard of the Streisand Effect. You just keep that story in the news cycle, Don Trump. The longer you do, the more Americans will hear that President Reagan thought tariffs were a bad thing
Trump has just caused the Streisand Effect with what President Reagan said back in 1987. It's a 5 minute video, and Reagan completely trashes Trump's use of tariffs.
The Reagan Library has posted (in 2017) the video with neither use nor access restrictions youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
The Reagan Library has posted (in 2017) the video with neither use nor access restrictions youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
President Reagan's Radio Address on Free and Fair Trade on April 25, 1987
YouTube video by Reagan Library
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Trump has just caused the Streisand Effect with what President Reagan said back in 1987. It's a 5 minute video, and Reagan completely trashes Trump's use of tariffs.
The Reagan Library has posted (in 2017) the video with neither use nor access restrictions youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
The Reagan Library has posted (in 2017) the video with neither use nor access restrictions youtu.be/5t5QK03KXPc?...
There were so many ways to frame the cancellation of trade negotiations (again). Some are serious, some not so serious. A very partial thread www.cbc.ca/news/world/t...
Trump says he's terminating trade negotiations with Canada over Ontario anti-tariff ad | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a late-night social media post, that he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada over an advertisement by the Ontario government that uses the late U.S. pr...
www.cbc.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
There were so many ways to frame the cancellation of trade negotiations (again). Some are serious, some not so serious. A very partial thread www.cbc.ca/news/world/t...
Truth writ large
Donald is not the most powerful person in the world, he is the 2nd most powerful person in the world. The most powerful person in the world is the last person to speak to Donald.
October 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Truth writ large
And that was all they wrote.
Sad commentary on Canada's reliability that we can't complete an order for used equipment to Ukraine. Not that anybody officially involved is commenting, of course. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Sad commentary on Canada's reliability that we can't complete an order for used equipment to Ukraine. Not that anybody officially involved is commenting, of course. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Canada cancels plan to donate refurbished armour to Ukraine: defence minister | CBC News
A contract to supply Ukraine with refurbished light armoured vehicles is officially dead, the defence minister told a House of Commons committee on Tuesday.
www.cbc.ca
October 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
And that was all they wrote.
Sad commentary on Canada's reliability that we can't complete an order for used equipment to Ukraine. Not that anybody officially involved is commenting, of course. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Sad commentary on Canada's reliability that we can't complete an order for used equipment to Ukraine. Not that anybody officially involved is commenting, of course. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
JD Vance is on Bluesky. I thought about following him, but it would mostly be to repost his latest outrageous statements, and i will *not* help spread that madness.
October 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
JD Vance is on Bluesky. I thought about following him, but it would mostly be to repost his latest outrageous statements, and i will *not* help spread that madness.
Back when we were dealing with Trump 1.0, I made a playlist of songs for him
In State - Kathleen Edwards
People's Champ (It Ain't You) - Arkells
Flawed Design - Flawed Design
It Could Happen to You - Blue Rodeo
Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider (Tom Cochrane)
In State - Kathleen Edwards
People's Champ (It Ain't You) - Arkells
Flawed Design - Flawed Design
It Could Happen to You - Blue Rodeo
Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider (Tom Cochrane)
October 19, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Back when we were dealing with Trump 1.0, I made a playlist of songs for him
In State - Kathleen Edwards
People's Champ (It Ain't You) - Arkells
Flawed Design - Flawed Design
It Could Happen to You - Blue Rodeo
Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider (Tom Cochrane)
In State - Kathleen Edwards
People's Champ (It Ain't You) - Arkells
Flawed Design - Flawed Design
It Could Happen to You - Blue Rodeo
Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider (Tom Cochrane)
One of the more rabid Republicans, and an outspoken Democrat. Politics does make strange bedfellows. www.npr.org/2025/10/17/n...
Senators will force a vote to prevent war on Venezuela without approval from Congress
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia says new legislation is needed to prevent the Trump administration's escalating actions against Venezuela from leading to war.
www.npr.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM
One of the more rabid Republicans, and an outspoken Democrat. Politics does make strange bedfellows. www.npr.org/2025/10/17/n...
It is a sad commentary on the Canadian military procurement system that it can't even refurbish the 25 LAV's promised to Ukraine two years ago, and that now the government seems to be trying to cover it up. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Canada's plan to donate refurbished armour to Ukraine appears to be on the scrap heap | CBC News
Ukraine was supposed to receive more than two dozen rebuilt light armoured vehicles from Canada in a deal brokered through a federal agency. However, the plan has been dropped from the Canadian Commer...
www.cbc.ca
October 17, 2025 at 12:35 AM
It is a sad commentary on the Canadian military procurement system that it can't even refurbish the 25 LAV's promised to Ukraine two years ago, and that now the government seems to be trying to cover it up. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
As a Canadian, I think the only thing that will make us love the US again is to see Trump, his coterie, his minions, and his enablers in the House and Senate, either out of office, in jail, or both. Preferably before he more damage then has already hapenned www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Trump says 'Canada will love us again' — but there's still no deal on tariffs after Carney meeting | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he's working on a trade deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney that he believes will be well-received by Canadians, telling reporters assembled for their bilater...
www.cbc.ca
October 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
As a Canadian, I think the only thing that will make us love the US again is to see Trump, his coterie, his minions, and his enablers in the House and Senate, either out of office, in jail, or both. Preferably before he more damage then has already hapenned www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
The Democrats have to use what leverage they have.
Okay. Well, if Trump is going to attempt legal end-arounds like federalizing the NG of GOP states to send them to Dem states over the objections of governors and courts, I think the Democrats should just keep the federal government shut down indefinitely.
October 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The Democrats have to use what leverage they have.
It took humanity about 400 years of scientific experimentation before we got a handle on electricity. The return on investment has been worth every second. It has made us all richer and better off than any of our ancestors could have dreamed.
The economic argument for doing fundamental (non-applied) scientific research is that it has a FANTASTIC return on investment. That return may take decades, and you can't predict it, but it has worked out like this since science began. Basic discoveries lead to tech advances, eventually.
2/🧵
2/🧵
October 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
It took humanity about 400 years of scientific experimentation before we got a handle on electricity. The return on investment has been worth every second. It has made us all richer and better off than any of our ancestors could have dreamed.
People should not be upset with corporations behaving the way Apple does. The corporate law in most (all?) countries comes down to "make money." *Everything* else about corporations is secondary. If we want corporations to behave morally change corporate law www.npr.org/2025/10/03/n...
Legal experts condemn Apple bowing to White House's request to remove ICE tracking app
It's the latest example of tech giants bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Legal experts say the developer of the app has free speech rights that may have been violated.
www.npr.org
October 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
People should not be upset with corporations behaving the way Apple does. The corporate law in most (all?) countries comes down to "make money." *Everything* else about corporations is secondary. If we want corporations to behave morally change corporate law www.npr.org/2025/10/03/n...
The best satire and humour, whatever it's about, always contains truth youtu.be/Txf85nZw6Ts?...
Comment Club Rules
YouTube video by Lindybeige
youtu.be
October 2, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The best satire and humour, whatever it's about, always contains truth youtu.be/Txf85nZw6Ts?...
Note that the Republicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency. They need 7 Democrat votes to be able to pass a spending bill in the Senate because... rules. And can't get those votes. Once might want to ask oneself, "Why?" Hint: No healthcare for average people www.npr.org/2025/09/30/g...
As 2 spending bills fail in Senate, chances to avoid a government shutdown fade
Two separate, partisan spending bills failed in the Senate on Tuesday. The government will shut down at the end of the day barring a last-minute breakthrough.
www.npr.org
October 1, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Note that the Republicans control the House, Senate, and Presidency. They need 7 Democrat votes to be able to pass a spending bill in the Senate because... rules. And can't get those votes. Once might want to ask oneself, "Why?" Hint: No healthcare for average people www.npr.org/2025/09/30/g...