Ben Martell
@benjmartell.bsky.social
Classic liberal. Skier, reader of books. Love water, sun, mountains, beaches, fun. Love Democracy. Have hope we survive these times.
🚫 to fascism of any kind!
🚫 crypto
🚫 MAGA
🚫 DM’s (Unless I know you).
Software engineer (kinda, sorta semi-retired 😎)
🚫 to fascism of any kind!
🚫 crypto
🚫 MAGA
🚫 DM’s (Unless I know you).
Software engineer (kinda, sorta semi-retired 😎)
Reposted by Ben Martell
Some background! I wrote about Tennessee in 2023, asking whether it's still a democracy
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Is Tennessee a Democracy?
What happened when a Republican supermajority gained control—and wasn’t satisfied
www.theatlantic.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Some background! I wrote about Tennessee in 2023, asking whether it's still a democracy
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Ben Martell
Reposted by Ben Martell
Five time draft dodging coward chickenshit Donald Trump hates the military!
December 2, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Five time draft dodging coward chickenshit Donald Trump hates the military!
Reposted by Ben Martell
It's great that reporting on the double tap has spotlighted the abject criminality of this Administration.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
December 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It's great that reporting on the double tap has spotlighted the abject criminality of this Administration.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Let me say this plainly: If any other country had done this, we would call it what it is, a war crime. Because that is exactly what it was.
open.substack.com/pub/jojofrom...
open.substack.com/pub/jojofrom...
Secretary of War Crimes
We need to call this shit out for what it is.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Let me say this plainly: If any other country had done this, we would call it what it is, a war crime. Because that is exactly what it was.
open.substack.com/pub/jojofrom...
open.substack.com/pub/jojofrom...
Reposted by Ben Martell
Trump is now reporting that Hegeseth told Trump he ‘never gave the order,’ which opens a whole other case if Hegeseth lied to cover it up.
Now, those who fired the missiles will have their word tested. If Hegeseth is lying, more than just him is going down.
Now, those who fired the missiles will have their word tested. If Hegeseth is lying, more than just him is going down.
December 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Trump is now reporting that Hegeseth told Trump he ‘never gave the order,’ which opens a whole other case if Hegeseth lied to cover it up.
Now, those who fired the missiles will have their word tested. If Hegeseth is lying, more than just him is going down.
Now, those who fired the missiles will have their word tested. If Hegeseth is lying, more than just him is going down.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Hegseth is cosplaying as a "war fighter" to compensate for something he feels he's lacking.
It is embarrassing.
It is embarrassing.
Kelly: He runs around on stage talking about lethality and the warrior ethos.. That’s not the message that should be coming from the Secretary of Defense… He runs around on a stage like he’s a 12 year old playing army. It’s embarrassing.
December 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Hegseth is cosplaying as a "war fighter" to compensate for something he feels he's lacking.
It is embarrassing.
It is embarrassing.
Reposted by Ben Martell
so it is very apparent that
1) You are not going to be able to know for sure who or where an order came from, much less if it is legal
2) The President and SecDef will disavow any order that retroactively proves to be unpopular or risky
1) You are not going to be able to know for sure who or where an order came from, much less if it is legal
2) The President and SecDef will disavow any order that retroactively proves to be unpopular or risky
December 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
so it is very apparent that
1) You are not going to be able to know for sure who or where an order came from, much less if it is legal
2) The President and SecDef will disavow any order that retroactively proves to be unpopular or risky
1) You are not going to be able to know for sure who or where an order came from, much less if it is legal
2) The President and SecDef will disavow any order that retroactively proves to be unpopular or risky
Reposted by Ben Martell
This is not true. Musk is endorsing (again) a version of the white nationalist great replacement theory, as told by Stephen Miller.
It is a conspiracy theory and it was confined to the fringes of the Internet until 10 or so years ago.
If true, Harris would’ve easily won in 2024.
It is a conspiracy theory and it was confined to the fringes of the Internet until 10 or so years ago.
If true, Harris would’ve easily won in 2024.
December 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This is not true. Musk is endorsing (again) a version of the white nationalist great replacement theory, as told by Stephen Miller.
It is a conspiracy theory and it was confined to the fringes of the Internet until 10 or so years ago.
If true, Harris would’ve easily won in 2024.
It is a conspiracy theory and it was confined to the fringes of the Internet until 10 or so years ago.
If true, Harris would’ve easily won in 2024.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Ben Martell
I guess it's unsurprising that mediocre men find each other extraordinary, especially when they're behaving selfishly and pretending it's for the good of society.
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I guess it's unsurprising that mediocre men find each other extraordinary, especially when they're behaving selfishly and pretending it's for the good of society.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Who knew there were buses in the Navy? Eh, Admiral Bradley?
December 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Who knew there were buses in the Navy? Eh, Admiral Bradley?
Reposted by Ben Martell
The best way to understand the current regime is that we're effectively being governed by an unofficial, extra-constitutional junta mostly dominated by Miller, in which Trump himself is a marginal and disengaged figurehead making few if any substantive decisions.
it is the worst of all worlds. a "unitary *presidency*" insulated from judicial or congressional power and a weak president unable to do the job of governing
December 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The best way to understand the current regime is that we're effectively being governed by an unofficial, extra-constitutional junta mostly dominated by Miller, in which Trump himself is a marginal and disengaged figurehead making few if any substantive decisions.
Reposted by Ben Martell
What a bunch of shady creepers.
December 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
What a bunch of shady creepers.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Hey US Navy – get your house in order! Stop blatantly murdering people on the high seas! Where in your military doctrine does it say that you must subjugate yourself to the whims of a madman? Sure, you have plenty of physical courage – not disputing that – but where in TF is your moral courage?!
December 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Hey US Navy – get your house in order! Stop blatantly murdering people on the high seas! Where in your military doctrine does it say that you must subjugate yourself to the whims of a madman? Sure, you have plenty of physical courage – not disputing that – but where in TF is your moral courage?!
Reposted by Ben Martell
Hey Admiral Bradley – News flash: Trump doesn't give a damn about you or the Navy. Out with the Truth – now! Time for some *moral* courage – if you have any.
December 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Hey Admiral Bradley – News flash: Trump doesn't give a damn about you or the Navy. Out with the Truth – now! Time for some *moral* courage – if you have any.
Reposted by Ben Martell
Hegseth and the admiral in charge of Seal Team Six sure do look like they committed a specific war crime here www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Hegseth and the admiral in charge of Seal Team Six sure do look like they committed a specific war crime here www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Ben Martell
it is impossible to imagine any Pentagon lawyer blessing this action. The concept of hors de combat—literally, out of combat—is a fundamental aspect of the law of war that prevents harming those disabled from combat.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
War Crime...or Murder?
Killing shipwreck survivors is patently illegal and morally abhorrent
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:23 PM
it is impossible to imagine any Pentagon lawyer blessing this action. The concept of hors de combat—literally, out of combat—is a fundamental aspect of the law of war that prevents harming those disabled from combat.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Reposted by Ben Martell
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December 1, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Reposted by Ben Martell
The Republican chairs of both the House and Senate Armed Services committees signed a letter yesterday stating that they requested specific info many weeks ago on these strikes and the WH & Pentagon have refused to provide it. If the story is fake news, then turn everything over.
December 1, 2025 at 12:22 AM
The Republican chairs of both the House and Senate Armed Services committees signed a letter yesterday stating that they requested specific info many weeks ago on these strikes and the WH & Pentagon have refused to provide it. If the story is fake news, then turn everything over.
Reposted by Ben Martell
#GVerse via @booker.senate.gov
Leaders like #Shit4Brains & #WhiskeyLeaks should listen to and learn from those they have the honor of commanding, instead of giving them meandering nonsensical lectures.
Leaders like #Shit4Brains & #WhiskeyLeaks should listen to and learn from those they have the honor of commanding, instead of giving them meandering nonsensical lectures.
December 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
#GVerse via @booker.senate.gov
Leaders like #Shit4Brains & #WhiskeyLeaks should listen to and learn from those they have the honor of commanding, instead of giving them meandering nonsensical lectures.
Leaders like #Shit4Brains & #WhiskeyLeaks should listen to and learn from those they have the honor of commanding, instead of giving them meandering nonsensical lectures.
Reposted by Ben Martell
The era of being afraid to offend far right wing "skeptics" needs to end. RFK Jr. is peddling snake oil. Dems need to make defending public health a core pillar of their identity again. Loudly. Aggressively. Unapologetically.
December 1, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The era of being afraid to offend far right wing "skeptics" needs to end. RFK Jr. is peddling snake oil. Dems need to make defending public health a core pillar of their identity again. Loudly. Aggressively. Unapologetically.
Reposted by Ben Martell
I once thought Carl Sagan was exaggerating when he said we were at risk of falling into a new Dark Age
Turns out he was completely serious (and correct)
Turns out he was completely serious (and correct)
December 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I once thought Carl Sagan was exaggerating when he said we were at risk of falling into a new Dark Age
Turns out he was completely serious (and correct)
Turns out he was completely serious (and correct)
Reposted by Ben Martell
presented without comment
December 1, 2025 at 2:28 AM
presented without comment
Reposted by Ben Martell
The face of a man who realized Ukrainians are not going to sit by and watch as he sells them off to russia.
November 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The face of a man who realized Ukrainians are not going to sit by and watch as he sells them off to russia.