iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Outside of current events and the most intense years of the Korean Conflict, I have limited knowledge of history of modern divided Korea, so looking to learn a little more. #PhotoFriday #Histbookchat

Book the great leader and the fighter pilot

191

Reposted by Brian

Aaron C. Davis @byaaroncdavis.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

George Kollitides, the behind-the scenes Pentagon powerbroker close to deputy defense secretary Steve Feinberg left Alvarez & Marsal Capital last week after ProPublica started looking into the deals. Read my first story for ProPublica! www.propublica.org/article/geor...

propublica.org

The Pentagon Gave $350 Million in Contracts to a Firm Closely Tied to a Senior Defense Department Official

The top Pentagon official left Alvarez & Marsal Capital after ProPublica started looking into his financial ties. The contracts with a related company are another example of firms close to the Trump a...

614760

Reposted by Brian

Aaron C. Davis @byaaroncdavis.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

NEW: A private equity executive took a top Pentagon job last year. Then a consulting firm he’d kept ties to starting winning major defense contracts - including a no-bid, quarter-billion dollar deal to advise his office.

823771

Reposted by Brian

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“.. defense companies backed by the president's sons, including Anduril, have now raked in more than $6 billion dollars in active or promised government contracts since those investments were made, according to the government's official contract reporting. abcnews.com/Politics/tru...

1511285700

Reposted by Brian

Mary Peltola @marypeltola.com · 04/10/2026

Alaska: TOMORROW is the last day to register to vote in the general election! Don't wait. Register today, make sure your friends and family are registered too, and make a plan to vote in this important election. 🇺🇸

9260150

Reposted by Brian

Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · 03/10/2026

JUST POSTED: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have pushed a multibillion oil deal with Russia as part of peace talks that will bring profits to their family business partners. A new front for Trump-era conflicts of interest. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/u...

nytimes.com

U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies (Gift Article)

President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of inter...

24730711801

Reposted by Brian

Matt Lombardo @mattlombardo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Tossing open this week’s NFL Mailbag! 📪 Fire away with your questions, I’ll pose them to NFL Scouts, Coaches, Executives, Agents and sources across the league to include their insights in Friday’s column at Between The Hashmarks!

371

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This was my first time reading one of Robert Stern's books. I thought it was pretty good - solid writing, good use of primary sources, good selection of secondary sources, perspective from both Japanese and US sides. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday #navalhistory

1172

Reposted by Brian

99% Invisible @99pi.org · 29/09/2026

How a Swiss mountain call crossed the Atlantic and helped define the sound of country music. Listen to a new episode of 99% Invisible wherever you get your podcasts 👉 bit.ly/4rDuCIU

0122

Reposted by Brian

Hupple’s Cat @hupplescat.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Tragic loss involving desperate measures. Here’s SPRINGBANK.

1124

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In this period of American history, I thought it would be particularly worthwhile to brush up on this topic. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

Book the US Constitution a comprehensive and annotated guide for the modern reader

1110

Reposted by Brian

RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

23 Sept 1779 // The Battle of Flamborough Head, off the Yorkshire coast: two Royal Navy ships, HMS Serapis (44 guns) and HMS Countess of Scarborough (22 guns) were captured when a squadron of four American warships under John Paul Jones attacked the convoy from the Baltic which they were escorting .

Richard Paton, 'The Action Between the Frigates Bonhomme Richard (Capt John Paul Jones) And HMS Serapis, During The Battle Of Flamborough Head, 1779. The Alliance fires on the combatants' (1780). Wikimedia Commons. A painting showing a battle between sailing warships. Two ships are locked in combat in the centre foreground while a third ship on the right fires into the stern of the nearest ship. More ships engaged in combat can be seen on the left, and the coast is visible in the background. Everything is taking place under a turbulent sky, and there are pieces of debris floating in the foreground.

1339

Reposted by Brian

Bart⚓️ @bartgonnissen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1/x Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama is taken hostage in a lifeboat, and US Navy SEALs end it after five days. The snipers dealt with the guys in the lifeboat. The Belgians dealt with the guy at the top of the whole trade. A thread.

112143

Reposted by Brian

ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026

Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵

412114496109

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I enjoy good biography, but I especially appreciate when biographers take on challenging subjects (e.g., Martin - Benedict Arnold; Hess - Braxton Bragg). I don't think D. H. Hill rises to that level, but he was often contentious and doesn't fall into that group of appreciated ACW figures...

Chris Hartley book D H Hill a military life

1112

Reposted by Brian

Mark Zuckerman @markzuckerman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Riley Cornelio will open for the Nationals today. Jake Irvin had previously been listed as the starter.

0103

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A little late for #PhotoFriday - I made it to the East Tennessee History Museum and picked up a couple of books from the museum bookstore. #Histbookchat

Book the Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation and Senator Kenneth McKellar

082

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Interesting item for me in Chris Hartley's bio of D H Hill - I hadn't known about Hood's early ACW cavalry service or D. H. Hill's impact on his early career trajectory. #Histbookchat

Story of D H Hill lobbying for Hood to command Confederate cavalry at Williamsburg

071

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I listened to an interesting podcast interview with Emily Matson about her new book discussing the recent PRC decision to adjust their analysis of the official start date of WW2/SWW from 1937 to 1931. #Histbookchat newbooksnetwork.com/chinas-date-...

newbooksnetwork.com

Emily Matson, "China’s Date Debate: How Manchurian Scholars Rewrote World War II" (U Michigan Press, 2026) - New Books Network

130

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I'm enjoying Chris Hartley's new bio on D. H. Hill. I'm thankful he included some examples from Hill's infamous algebra textbook. #Histbookchat

Math word problems describing Yankee fraud

271

Reposted by Brian

Trent Hone @honer.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Getting into the page proofs!

A printout of the forthcoming book, “Seizing the Offensive: Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King and the Naval Strategy that Won World War II” by Trent Hone, published by the Naval Institute Press.

1896

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I have been long overdue to read a book by Richard Overy, so starting with this one. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

1120

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Nice to have a history book that also aligns with your work - I'm enjoying gaining insight and background into the famous Kelo case. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

160

Reposted by Brian

Omar Wasow @owasow.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Largest export market for Maine, Michigan and Ohio: Canada.

723268

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Some sports history for #PhotoFriday I'm more of a casual football/soccer fan, but I heard an interview with the author and heard familiar names like Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff and decided to pick this up. I'm enjoying it. #Histbookchat

2161

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Well, @chriscardsfan.bsky.social - I hope you're proud of yourself. Between you, @hupplescat.bsky.social and @lwestwoodauthor.bsky.social Bluesky can be expensive for me, but at least I'm well provisioned with good books!

Book the iron brigade in Civil War and memory

340

Reposted by Brian

Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

In April of 2022, Donovan Casey spent five days with the Nationals but didn't play in a game. Then he never made it back to the majors. Is he a big leaguer? And how has he learned to live with that question rattling around his head? For @notus.com: www.notus.org/sports/washi...

notus.org

He Spent Five Days With the Nats But Never Played. Is He a Big Leaguer?

Donovan Casey made it to the cusp of his lifelong dream. His biggest challenge has been learning to live with that.

66421

Reposted by Brian

What's Going on With Shipping (Sal Mercogliano) @mercoglianos.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

USS Abraham Lincoln: Is Logistics the U.S. Navy’s Greatest Weakness? ⚓The Lincoln Case Study ⚓Wartime Tempo vs. Peacetime Support ⚓The "Gutting" of the Logistics Fleet ⚓Loss of Forward Bases ⚓The Tyranny of Distance ⚓The Invisible Force Video: youtu.be/FT784GgO8-o

158727

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

The 6th Wisconsin was part of the famed Iron Brigade from the American Civil War. They also were part of the remarkable charge of the unfinished railway cut on Day 1 at Gettysburg. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

Book the sixth Wisconsin and the long civil war

1100

Reposted by Brian

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 10/08/2026

holy shit Trump is OUT

125389132496

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

About an hour west of Oklahoma City there is the town of Weatherford, Oklahoma, which has an excellent air & Space Museum. A friend of ours told us about - we were not prepared for the scale and quality of the museum (with an impressive kids play area as well.)

Stafford the astronaut the museum is named for

160

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This was the book club selection for this month - just getting started on it. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

190

Reposted by Brian

Spencer Nusbaum @spencernusbaum.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

That was a rough road trip for the Nats. Help could be on the way soon. What to know about the progress and timelines of Luis Perales and Jackson Kent: www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...

nytimes.com

Looking for hope in Nats' near future? Pitching help should be on the way

1103

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A piece of art commemorating space and #aviationhistory - statue of Rick Husband, who flew on 2 space shuttle missions and served as commander on the ill fated 2003 Columbia flight. This statue is in Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.

010

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Another #PhantomFriday contribution from me - this one is an F-4C Phantom II on static display at the impressive Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, OK.

131

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I'm on the road today, and I previously posted the history book I'm reading, so for #PhotoFriday here is my most recent acquisition... #Histbookchat

Book rise and fall of the 2nd American Republic

1100

Reposted by Brian

Mike Kaye - Panthers beat writer @mikekayefootball.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

No #Panthers practice today, but Sunday was a step in the right direction for Bryce Young, Xavier Legette and the offense. What you might have missed while you enjoyed your weekend: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/c...

charlotteobserver.com

Young, Legette make big plays as offense bounces back in Panthers training camp

The Carolina Panthers got back to work on Sunday. The latest news, notes and highlights from a busy day outside of Bank of America Stadium.

071

Reposted by Brian

Jay Jaffe @jayjaffe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Nice weather (75 and mostly sunny) but not a big crowd for Hall of Fame Induction Day at the Clark Center in Cooperstown. It will be a fraction of last year’s officially-estimated crowd of 30,000. Thread starts here for those who want to follow along. 1/x

2447

Reposted by Brian

Secretary of Defense Rock @sodrock.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Very excited to embark on this project! Without getting too far into the weeds just yet, it's going to be a history of American naval aviation in the Pacific (hence all the posting lately) during World War II from 1943 to 1945, told through the pilots and squadrons who flew off the carriers!

secretaryrofdefenserock.substack.com

I'm Writing a Book!

What that means for the newsletter going forward and how you can help!

4367879

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

The New Mexico campaign of 1862 is, to me, one of the most interesting campaigns of the ACW - as an added bonus, it features in the plot of the movie The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I'm enjoying this book in the Emerging Civil War book series. #Histbookchat #PhotoFriday

1150

Reposted by Brian

Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Josiah Gray was the first face of the Nats’ rebuild. But now he hasn’t pitched in the majors in more than two years, a lifetime for a big leaguer. I called him last week. “It can be hard not to feel like you’re forgotten about.” New for @notus.com: www.notus.org/sports/josia...

notus.org

Josiah Gray Still Wants to Help the Nats. Maybe Even This Year.

Once the face of the Nationals’ rebuild, the 28-year-old pitcher is nearing a comeback after two years of injury rehab.

2167

Reposted by Brian

Every Film Now @everyfilmnow.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Final trailer for ‘COYOTE VS. ACME’ has been released. In theaters August 28. #CoyoteVsAcme

6739681424

Reposted by Brian

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

“.. American farms are on the verge of losing their dominant export status ... last year, the US exported $171 billion of agricultural goods (per @USDA), just $2 billion more than the export total claimed by Brazil ..” @financialtimes.com (via Schwab)

25382138

Reposted by Brian

Rachel Gunter, Ph.D. 🗃️ @phdrachel.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

And welcome to Historians at the Movies! Tonight we celebrate our 8th birthday and our found @herberthistory.bsky.social 's … not 8th birthday! We are live posting HIGH FIDELITY on @netflix.com It’s about music, relationships, and memories. 1/

56612

Brian @halma.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Here's my contribution to #PhotoFriday Ernest Evans was a pretty remarkable figure. James Hornfischer left a legacy both as an author and agent to many authors. This is a collaboration between him and his son. It would be interesting to find out how the writing process worked. #Histbookchat

1173

Reposted by Brian

Sam Dykstra @samdykstramilb.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Your 2026 MLB Draft thread starts here. There will be deeper analysis at this link: www.mlb.com/milb/news/20... 1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA An organization on the upswing takes the collegian who could help their infield group quickly.

mlb.com

MLB Draft Day 1 picks, analysis (LIVE on NBC/Peacock)

Months of scouting and mock drafts have led to this moment -- the 2026 MLB Draft is underway. Follow along here all day Saturday for a rundown of the top 40 picks with analysis.

1175