JRafferty
@johnrafferty.bsky.social
Born 320ish CO2 ppm. Educational content creator / Earth and Life Sciences.
Weather, Climate, Biodiversity, Weather, Natural Hazards, Ecology, Verts, and the politics (unfortunately) that goes with them. Also: maps, dinos, telecasters, etc. My views.
Weather, Climate, Biodiversity, Weather, Natural Hazards, Ecology, Verts, and the politics (unfortunately) that goes with them. Also: maps, dinos, telecasters, etc. My views.
Check out this awesome Brocken Spectre (also known as a glory) that I was able to snap as we descended into KC this AM.
The image you see is the shadow of our plane on the clouds. (If you're interested in the nerdy stuff of how this happens, check out the link.)
www.britannica.com/science/Broc...
The image you see is the shadow of our plane on the clouds. (If you're interested in the nerdy stuff of how this happens, check out the link.)
www.britannica.com/science/Broc...
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Check out this awesome Brocken Spectre (also known as a glory) that I was able to snap as we descended into KC this AM.
The image you see is the shadow of our plane on the clouds. (If you're interested in the nerdy stuff of how this happens, check out the link.)
www.britannica.com/science/Broc...
The image you see is the shadow of our plane on the clouds. (If you're interested in the nerdy stuff of how this happens, check out the link.)
www.britannica.com/science/Broc...
With #SNAP benefits pulled, all of us with some level of means MUST step up and help out our local #foodpantries.
--thru food/monetary donations
--volunteering.
Be prepared. It will be a marathon and not a sprint, b/c the need will outlast the holiday season, especially this year.
1/n
--thru food/monetary donations
--volunteering.
Be prepared. It will be a marathon and not a sprint, b/c the need will outlast the holiday season, especially this year.
1/n
October 30, 2025 at 4:24 PM
With #SNAP benefits pulled, all of us with some level of means MUST step up and help out our local #foodpantries.
--thru food/monetary donations
--volunteering.
Be prepared. It will be a marathon and not a sprint, b/c the need will outlast the holiday season, especially this year.
1/n
--thru food/monetary donations
--volunteering.
Be prepared. It will be a marathon and not a sprint, b/c the need will outlast the holiday season, especially this year.
1/n
For ID'ing vehicles used by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ice)...
People have been photographing their #license plates---which could be swapped for others to prevent accurate ID.
I wonder if snagging #VIN_numbers would be better---if you're daring and can get close enough.
#Chicago
People have been photographing their #license plates---which could be swapped for others to prevent accurate ID.
I wonder if snagging #VIN_numbers would be better---if you're daring and can get close enough.
#Chicago
October 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
For ID'ing vehicles used by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ice)...
People have been photographing their #license plates---which could be swapped for others to prevent accurate ID.
I wonder if snagging #VIN_numbers would be better---if you're daring and can get close enough.
#Chicago
People have been photographing their #license plates---which could be swapped for others to prevent accurate ID.
I wonder if snagging #VIN_numbers would be better---if you're daring and can get close enough.
#Chicago
But it gets tougher from here---we need to build the #infrastructure to STAY in the streets.
That means go-fund-me efforts and delivery plans for:
-soup and power bars,
-water,
-port-a-johns,
-warm clothes for protesters, etc.
Know that those days are coming.
Start preparing.
That means go-fund-me efforts and delivery plans for:
-soup and power bars,
-water,
-port-a-johns,
-warm clothes for protesters, etc.
Know that those days are coming.
Start preparing.
October 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
But it gets tougher from here---we need to build the #infrastructure to STAY in the streets.
That means go-fund-me efforts and delivery plans for:
-soup and power bars,
-water,
-port-a-johns,
-warm clothes for protesters, etc.
Know that those days are coming.
Start preparing.
That means go-fund-me efforts and delivery plans for:
-soup and power bars,
-water,
-port-a-johns,
-warm clothes for protesters, etc.
Know that those days are coming.
Start preparing.
No Kings: +1 day
Awesome job getting out in the streets yesterday, everyone!!!🎊🎉💯
It's clear that all of us have friends everywhere.
But.....
1/2
Awesome job getting out in the streets yesterday, everyone!!!🎊🎉💯
It's clear that all of us have friends everywhere.
But.....
1/2
October 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
No Kings: +1 day
Awesome job getting out in the streets yesterday, everyone!!!🎊🎉💯
It's clear that all of us have friends everywhere.
But.....
1/2
Awesome job getting out in the streets yesterday, everyone!!!🎊🎉💯
It's clear that all of us have friends everywhere.
But.....
1/2
If this is indeed what's going on, it parallels the Star Trek (original series) episode "Patterns of Force" from 1968.
Part of the plot includes a drugged figurehead manipulated by villainous underlings.
Many GenXers caught this one back in the 1970s and 1980s.
reactormag.com/star-trek-th...
Part of the plot includes a drugged figurehead manipulated by villainous underlings.
Many GenXers caught this one back in the 1970s and 1980s.
reactormag.com/star-trek-th...
October 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
If this is indeed what's going on, it parallels the Star Trek (original series) episode "Patterns of Force" from 1968.
Part of the plot includes a drugged figurehead manipulated by villainous underlings.
Many GenXers caught this one back in the 1970s and 1980s.
reactormag.com/star-trek-th...
Part of the plot includes a drugged figurehead manipulated by villainous underlings.
Many GenXers caught this one back in the 1970s and 1980s.
reactormag.com/star-trek-th...
Some ideas someone sent me---which spark other ideas.😎
Related: Bridge Brigades --- teams of folks with signs on highway overpasses are EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.
Related: Bridge Brigades --- teams of folks with signs on highway overpasses are EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.
October 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Some ideas someone sent me---which spark other ideas.😎
Related: Bridge Brigades --- teams of folks with signs on highway overpasses are EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.
Related: Bridge Brigades --- teams of folks with signs on highway overpasses are EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.
There's a drone no-fly zone in Chicagoland now.
FAA announces a no‑fly zone Oct. 1
It plans for the restriction to end Oct. 12.
The agency said exceptions are available for pilots serving "special governmental interests."
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...
FAA announces a no‑fly zone Oct. 1
It plans for the restriction to end Oct. 12.
The agency said exceptions are available for pilots serving "special governmental interests."
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...
October 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
There's a drone no-fly zone in Chicagoland now.
FAA announces a no‑fly zone Oct. 1
It plans for the restriction to end Oct. 12.
The agency said exceptions are available for pilots serving "special governmental interests."
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...
FAA announces a no‑fly zone Oct. 1
It plans for the restriction to end Oct. 12.
The agency said exceptions are available for pilots serving "special governmental interests."
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...
Which parking lot is this? Are they advancing beyond the fence on private property?
September 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Which parking lot is this? Are they advancing beyond the fence on private property?
CATO reports that when 9/11 is included, Islamic #terrorism is the largest source, dwarfing domestic incidents by a HUGE margin.
However, when 9/11 is removed, MOST incidents are caused by right-wing extremists - and the #ratio is 6 to 1.
Note that CATO is a libertarian think tank.
4/4
However, when 9/11 is removed, MOST incidents are caused by right-wing extremists - and the #ratio is 6 to 1.
Note that CATO is a libertarian think tank.
4/4
September 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
CATO reports that when 9/11 is included, Islamic #terrorism is the largest source, dwarfing domestic incidents by a HUGE margin.
However, when 9/11 is removed, MOST incidents are caused by right-wing extremists - and the #ratio is 6 to 1.
Note that CATO is a libertarian think tank.
4/4
However, when 9/11 is removed, MOST incidents are caused by right-wing extremists - and the #ratio is 6 to 1.
Note that CATO is a libertarian think tank.
4/4
Overall, both organizations report similar patterns
-in that that extremist-related killings are down since 2015
- & most extremist-related killings since just after 9/11 have been caused by right-wing extremists.
(ADL's data goes back to 2015, and CATO's data goes back to the mid-1970s)
3/n
-in that that extremist-related killings are down since 2015
- & most extremist-related killings since just after 9/11 have been caused by right-wing extremists.
(ADL's data goes back to 2015, and CATO's data goes back to the mid-1970s)
3/n
September 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Overall, both organizations report similar patterns
-in that that extremist-related killings are down since 2015
- & most extremist-related killings since just after 9/11 have been caused by right-wing extremists.
(ADL's data goes back to 2015, and CATO's data goes back to the mid-1970s)
3/n
-in that that extremist-related killings are down since 2015
- & most extremist-related killings since just after 9/11 have been caused by right-wing extremists.
(ADL's data goes back to 2015, and CATO's data goes back to the mid-1970s)
3/n
Evidence of overwhelming left-wing violence does not appear in two recent reports put out in 2025 by the Anti-defamation League and the CATO Institute.
Links:
www.adl.org/resources/re...
www.cato.org/blog/politic...
2/n
Links:
www.adl.org/resources/re...
www.cato.org/blog/politic...
2/n
September 16, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Evidence of overwhelming left-wing violence does not appear in two recent reports put out in 2025 by the Anti-defamation League and the CATO Institute.
Links:
www.adl.org/resources/re...
www.cato.org/blog/politic...
2/n
Links:
www.adl.org/resources/re...
www.cato.org/blog/politic...
2/n
1/2
Workers over Billionaires protests happening around the country right now.
In Chicago today, it's part worker-protections vigilance and part #pushback against the impending #unlawful White House "surge" of ice agents and other maga-indoctrinated feds that ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.
Workers over Billionaires protests happening around the country right now.
In Chicago today, it's part worker-protections vigilance and part #pushback against the impending #unlawful White House "surge" of ice agents and other maga-indoctrinated feds that ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.
September 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
7/24/2025 --- 3 PM UTC (10 AM CST)
CO2 concentration = 421 ppm
Elevation: 183 m (620 ft) above sea level
Chicago's near-west suburbs
CO2 concentration = 421 ppm
Elevation: 183 m (620 ft) above sea level
Chicago's near-west suburbs
July 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
7/24/2025 --- 3 PM UTC (10 AM CST)
CO2 concentration = 421 ppm
Elevation: 183 m (620 ft) above sea level
Chicago's near-west suburbs
CO2 concentration = 421 ppm
Elevation: 183 m (620 ft) above sea level
Chicago's near-west suburbs
M7.3 #earthquake off #Alaska, 21 km depth (relatively shallow). #Tsunami warning issued.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
July 16, 2025 at 10:49 PM
M7.3 #earthquake off #Alaska, 21 km depth (relatively shallow). #Tsunami warning issued.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
The "100-year flood" talking point being used by the WH is disingenuous.
...also happened in 1987 in the same area. #TexasFlood
1987 - crest near Kerrville at 29 ft (2nd highest since 1978)
2025 - crest near Kerrville 29-30 ft
Screengrabs from From NOAA article
www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-...
...also happened in 1987 in the same area. #TexasFlood
1987 - crest near Kerrville at 29 ft (2nd highest since 1978)
2025 - crest near Kerrville 29-30 ft
Screengrabs from From NOAA article
www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-...
July 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The "100-year flood" talking point being used by the WH is disingenuous.
...also happened in 1987 in the same area. #TexasFlood
1987 - crest near Kerrville at 29 ft (2nd highest since 1978)
2025 - crest near Kerrville 29-30 ft
Screengrabs from From NOAA article
www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-...
...also happened in 1987 in the same area. #TexasFlood
1987 - crest near Kerrville at 29 ft (2nd highest since 1978)
2025 - crest near Kerrville 29-30 ft
Screengrabs from From NOAA article
www.weather.gov/ewx/wxevent-...
With threats to defund #climate research---including the famous #KeelingCurve, which tracks global CO2 concentrations---
we may need to track CO2 by other means--including #crowd-sourcing.
So, here's today's reading at 620 ft above sea level in Chicago's near-west suburbs.
#carbon_dioxide
#CO2
we may need to track CO2 by other means--including #crowd-sourcing.
So, here's today's reading at 620 ft above sea level in Chicago's near-west suburbs.
#carbon_dioxide
#CO2
July 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
With threats to defund #climate research---including the famous #KeelingCurve, which tracks global CO2 concentrations---
we may need to track CO2 by other means--including #crowd-sourcing.
So, here's today's reading at 620 ft above sea level in Chicago's near-west suburbs.
#carbon_dioxide
#CO2
we may need to track CO2 by other means--including #crowd-sourcing.
So, here's today's reading at 620 ft above sea level in Chicago's near-west suburbs.
#carbon_dioxide
#CO2
1/2
A reminder this July 4th. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor 🗽
This is who we really are. This is the spirit that has helped the country do the great things--the inventions, the great journeys, the advancements, and the discoveries & also overcome our shortcomings...
A reminder this July 4th. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor 🗽
This is who we really are. This is the spirit that has helped the country do the great things--the inventions, the great journeys, the advancements, and the discoveries & also overcome our shortcomings...
July 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
1/2
A reminder this July 4th. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor 🗽
This is who we really are. This is the spirit that has helped the country do the great things--the inventions, the great journeys, the advancements, and the discoveries & also overcome our shortcomings...
A reminder this July 4th. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor 🗽
This is who we really are. This is the spirit that has helped the country do the great things--the inventions, the great journeys, the advancements, and the discoveries & also overcome our shortcomings...
Two days from now.
Make your voices heard.
(...and don't be a jerk by throwing stuff or punching people...that goes for fed, state, and local law enforcement too.)
Make your voices heard.
(...and don't be a jerk by throwing stuff or punching people...that goes for fed, state, and local law enforcement too.)
June 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Two days from now.
Make your voices heard.
(...and don't be a jerk by throwing stuff or punching people...that goes for fed, state, and local law enforcement too.)
Make your voices heard.
(...and don't be a jerk by throwing stuff or punching people...that goes for fed, state, and local law enforcement too.)
May 15, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Pretty sure the Qatari jumbo jet falls under this rule.
#emoluments
constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay...
#emoluments
constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay...
May 11, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Pretty sure the Qatari jumbo jet falls under this rule.
#emoluments
constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay...
#emoluments
constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay...