James Schmeling
@jschmeling.bsky.social
Speaking only for myself. Nonprofit leader. Military, Veterans, Family supporter/advocate. #NatSec #Defense #NDU #NDUF Air Force veteran. Born and raised in Iowa. #IowaLaw #IowaState Midwesterner by temperament (I wave at passing cars and neighbors)!
Investment in Africa is up a lot in competition for critical minerals. www.bbc.com/news/article...
How the US has overtaken China's investments in Africa
As the two nations vie for key materials, the US has regained the lead in foreign direct investments in African countries.
www.bbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Investment in Africa is up a lot in competition for critical minerals. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Cannot believe this even needed an article. "How to kill time during flight delays and they miss the most common answer? apple.news/AVojROoy3TpO...
Opinion | How to kill time during flight delays — The Washington Post
Try Xmas shopping airport-style!
apple.news
November 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Cannot believe this even needed an article. "How to kill time during flight delays and they miss the most common answer? apple.news/AVojROoy3TpO...
Just had my gutters cleaned. Hadn't seen the team since last year as I paid virtually in the spring. One of the guys looked at me and said "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight haven't you? You look good!" A year since I've seen him. That's a great memory/customer service.
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Just had my gutters cleaned. Hadn't seen the team since last year as I paid virtually in the spring. One of the guys looked at me and said "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight haven't you? You look good!" A year since I've seen him. That's a great memory/customer service.
This makes me a bit sad and nostalgic. The ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ says goodbye after 208 years - Popular Science
apple.news/AbcfTsnBPR-u...
apple.news/AbcfTsnBPR-u...
The ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ says goodbye after 208 years — Popular Science
The ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ says goodbye after 208 years The 2026 edition will be its last. The last winter outlook map from the Farmer's Almanac. Farmer's Almanac After more than 200 years of weather wisd...
apple.news
November 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
This makes me a bit sad and nostalgic. The ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ says goodbye after 208 years - Popular Science
apple.news/AbcfTsnBPR-u...
apple.news/AbcfTsnBPR-u...
Friday night dogs.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Friday night dogs.
Still one of my favorite accounts here. The photos are moments of joy.
November 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Still one of my favorite accounts here. The photos are moments of joy.
Not wrong.
November 2, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Not wrong.
Need a new water heater. The quotes are making me laugh/cry. Home Depot installation (labor only!!!) quote was $2,800. Craigslist advertised but clearly a call center, $7,700 installed and the water heater is priced at less than $3,000. So, $4,700 install effectively. Are you kidding me???
November 2, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Need a new water heater. The quotes are making me laugh/cry. Home Depot installation (labor only!!!) quote was $2,800. Craigslist advertised but clearly a call center, $7,700 installed and the water heater is priced at less than $3,000. So, $4,700 install effectively. Are you kidding me???
Blue wondering what’s up.
November 1, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Blue wondering what’s up.
Of course he’s just fine and perky this morning.
November 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Of course he’s just fine and perky this morning.
Reposted by James Schmeling
Rapid progress in China’s underwater drone development, world leaders in most respects. Back in 2019 their first large one, HSU001, was very modest, far from world leading. Today they are building massive ones other nations can only dream of. www.hisutton.com/Chinese-XLUU...
October 28, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Rapid progress in China’s underwater drone development, world leaders in most respects. Back in 2019 their first large one, HSU001, was very modest, far from world leading. Today they are building massive ones other nations can only dream of. www.hisutton.com/Chinese-XLUU...
Reposted by James Schmeling
Interesting
1/ In September 2025, the inaugural Drone Crucible organized by the US National Drone Association brought together teams from Army Rangers and Aviation Center of Excellence, Navy SEALs, Air Force and the Marines. Thanks to @dflawrence.bsky.social for the summary: taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics...
No clear winner in military's first ‘drone crucible’
Teams from each service went head-to-head in training events for unmanned systems, including convoy ambushes and reconnaissance.
taskandpurpose.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Interesting
Reposted by James Schmeling
Last year, I wrote an article for @foreignaffairs.com on why the US stands to lose the most from a resumption of nuclear testing.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Why America Stands to Lose If It Resumes Nuclear Testing
China and Russia would finally be able to catch up.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Last year, I wrote an article for @foreignaffairs.com on why the US stands to lose the most from a resumption of nuclear testing.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Can’t sleep. Dog woke me up at 3:30 to go outside. Some odd animal noise, no idea what. Good thing he’s an adorable dog.
November 1, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Can’t sleep. Dog woke me up at 3:30 to go outside. Some odd animal noise, no idea what. Good thing he’s an adorable dog.
Let's not forget homelessness and how much money addressing that directly saves cities and states!
We really need rational economic spending policies, based on data, as to what investments yield what outcomes, including early childhood education, parental leave, excellent public education, etc.!
We really need rational economic spending policies, based on data, as to what investments yield what outcomes, including early childhood education, parental leave, excellent public education, etc.!
Medicare for All would save $450B a year.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Let's not forget homelessness and how much money addressing that directly saves cities and states!
We really need rational economic spending policies, based on data, as to what investments yield what outcomes, including early childhood education, parental leave, excellent public education, etc.!
We really need rational economic spending policies, based on data, as to what investments yield what outcomes, including early childhood education, parental leave, excellent public education, etc.!
Aside from a muscle relaxant, best thing for a stiff neck and shoulder/arm tension? Tylenol? Aleve? Something topical?
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Aside from a muscle relaxant, best thing for a stiff neck and shoulder/arm tension? Tylenol? Aleve? Something topical?
Reposted by James Schmeling
This is really appalling: Rep Adam Smith tells me that in a briefing, Pentagon officials said they reserve the right to kill people who are "affiliated" with their list of "narco-terror groups."
But under questioning, they wouldn't define what "affiliated" means!
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
But under questioning, they wouldn't define what "affiliated" means!
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
October 31, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This is really appalling: Rep Adam Smith tells me that in a briefing, Pentagon officials said they reserve the right to kill people who are "affiliated" with their list of "narco-terror groups."
But under questioning, they wouldn't define what "affiliated" means!
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
But under questioning, they wouldn't define what "affiliated" means!
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Well that was fun to get a few hundred auto responses from people out of the office due to the furlough when my comms team used me as the reply to address for a job advertisement in Constant Contact.
October 31, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Well that was fun to get a few hundred auto responses from people out of the office due to the furlough when my comms team used me as the reply to address for a job advertisement in Constant Contact.
Fortunate to have excellent health insurance and access to doctors. Today I had a full-body skin cancer screen and biopsy because primary was concerned with rapidly growing mole. Dermatologist said probably not cancer but didn’t like fast growth. Also said “no one knows what works on skin tags.”
October 30, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Fortunate to have excellent health insurance and access to doctors. Today I had a full-body skin cancer screen and biopsy because primary was concerned with rapidly growing mole. Dermatologist said probably not cancer but didn’t like fast growth. Also said “no one knows what works on skin tags.”
Reposted by James Schmeling
It seems some are under the impression that the war continues because Ukraine keeps hoping to liberate its territories, whereas it continues because Russia keeps hoping to occupy all of Ukraine.
October 30, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It seems some are under the impression that the war continues because Ukraine keeps hoping to liberate its territories, whereas it continues because Russia keeps hoping to occupy all of Ukraine.
Just told him it’s not time for dinner yet.
October 30, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Just told him it’s not time for dinner yet.
Reposted by James Schmeling
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too
We spoke to Katie Drummond of Wired, Joseph Cox of 404 Media, and Lauren Harper of Freedom of the Press Foundation about the case for unpaywalling public records-based reporting
freedom.press
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Reposted by James Schmeling
The Senate on Thursday voted 51-47 to eliminate the national emergency underpinning President Trump’s global tariffs — its third rebuke of his trade policy this week, after bipartisan votes to roll back duties on goods from Canada and Brazil.
Senate votes to quash Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ global tariffs
The bipartisan move is symbolic, as the House has passed a rule against legislation to block tariffs this year.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The Senate on Thursday voted 51-47 to eliminate the national emergency underpinning President Trump’s global tariffs — its third rebuke of his trade policy this week, after bipartisan votes to roll back duties on goods from Canada and Brazil.
Reposted by James Schmeling
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP is set to run out of money for the first time in its history. “It’s not that the administration can’t pay up” to fill the gap—“it’s that it has chosen not to,” @willgottsegen.com argues in The Atlantic Daily.
The Deadline for a Major Shutdown Casualty
Roughly 42 million Americans may not get their SNAP benefits on Saturday.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP is set to run out of money for the first time in its history. “It’s not that the administration can’t pay up” to fill the gap—“it’s that it has chosen not to,” @willgottsegen.com argues in The Atlantic Daily.
Reposted by James Schmeling
October 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM