SaraSmirks
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sarasmirks.bsky.social
SaraSmirks
@sarasmirks.bsky.social
Lived lots of places. Retired science writer/editor. Back south these days--on the water whenever possible. Woke player of concertina, bodhrán, didgeridoo. Blue dot/red state, surrounded by a confederacy of dunces.
Reposted by SaraSmirks
Lindsey Graham sponsored the Afghan Adjustment Act: “This is the right thing to do. The people who were there with us in the fight who are here in America need to stay. This will be their new home. We have a moral obligation to these people and they will make great citizens.”
November 29, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
Here's a gift link to the story that Hegseth is, well, not denying. wapo.st/49KbUJ1
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.
wapo.st
November 29, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
I know everyone hates fundraising asks, but to be honest, we’ve got two days left in November and we’re still $10,000 away from where we need to be.

If you can afford it, can you chip in to make sure we’re able to educate, engage, and mobilize young voters?

secure.actblue.com/donate/votho...
I just gave to Voters of Tomorrow PAC
I just gave to Voters of Tomorrow PAC
secure.actblue.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.

If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
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 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
disturbing and horrifying. the WP piece includes a link to The Intercept, first to report. gift article appreciated, @kvconner.bsky.social
🎁Gift Article
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
As two men clung to a stricken, burning ship targeted by SEAL Team 6, the Joint Special Ops commander followed the SEC Defense's order to leave no survivors.
By Alex Horton Ellen Nakashima wapo.st/49KbUJ1
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.
wapo.st
November 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
important reporting.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing

"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."

Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
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 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
no empathy. no compassion. no engagement. nothing but chilling boredom and resentment that attention is focused elsewhere
The defining photograph of the Trump-era. (via Getty)
November 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
That time Donald Trump destroyed historic art to cut construction costs www.motherjones.com/2020-electio...
November 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"I’m thankful for the assemblage of the most incompetent, bumbling bunch of fools ever to occupy a presidential administration."

with you on this, Michael
November 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"It came across as less of a joke and more of an assessment of how he has chosen to wield his power." the correct word is 'yield'--he's a sniveler
Nancy Pelosi smirks, only backwards, and in high heels.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
November 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
💯👇
Maybe Hegseth and Trump could also send 500 National Guard members to Kentucky, to help administer pertussis vaccines.

Since saving lives is their thing.

www.wlwt.com/article/kent...
November 27, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
I remember when we used to hold a president in a position of honor. Not a king but reverence, respect.

This guy is a clown, a joke, and a disgrace
November 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
💯👇
Just fixing this headline real quick...

NBC: After Spate of Incidents in Which Donald Trump Tried to Get His Political Enemies Murdered, Southern Republican Lawyer Declines to Pursue Prosecution of His Party Leader—Trump—In the Most Serious Criminal Case Any President Has Faced Since the Civil War
Georgia prosecutor who took over 2020 election interference case drops charges against Trump and others
Pete Skandalakis, who took over the case after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified, said the case was "without precedent."
www.nbcnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
not a pose of reflection. he's exhausted and bored. we deserve better--energetic and engaged.
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Harris should have picked Kelly as her running mate.
Hegseth is a dude-bro sporting some questionable tattoos, a creation of television who’s acting as if he won "The Apprentice: The Nuclear-Weapons Season."

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Senator Mark Kelly Is in the Wrong Job
He should be secretary of defense.
www.theatlantic.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
we now know who to watch and support. FINALLY, I'm seeing a way forward for democrats.
News update: American Patriots under attack by Trump.

Senator Mark Kelly
Senator Elissa Slotkin
Rep. Chris Deluzio
Rep. Maggie Goodlander
Rep. Jason Crow
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

Apparently all six lawmakers are now under FBI investigation. WTF? 🤬 This is a call for all Veterans to unite.
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
smart summary. it's obvious that the house should have stayed in session to address this and most republicans are clueless about the affordable care act and how insurance works. the unlucky rest of us will suffer because we trusted our government would look out for us. silly citizens.
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
This sums up the verifiable impact of DOGE.
In the end, it didn’t cut government spending, and there was no promised “savings.” In the end, DOGE destroyed countless lives, ravaged American soft power, killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world (soon millions), & stole your data.

Elon Musk should be on trial.
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by SaraSmirks
November 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
today's a good day for a cruise through Constitutional Corner at West Point. the markers inspire and remind, especially this one. let's take trump for a tour.
www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=59186
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
that's exactly what he deserves
"Finally, President Trump might get a peace prize that would secure his place in history. It is the “Neville Chamberlain Peace Prize”—awarded by history to the leader of the country that most flagrantly sells out its allies and its values to an aggressive dictator."

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Proposed Ukraine ‘Deal’ Is a Disgrace
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Alabama gov's race. thanks to Josh Moon for the graphic
November 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
and the military lawyers are gone
“Junior officers, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers for written sign-off before taking part in strikes...

“It does not appear that such memos were furnished.

“Some personnel are worried they might need attorneys” under a new administration

wapo.st/43FXQfO
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
wapo.st
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
trying? oh, please
US Senator Mitch McConnell:

"Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. ...
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM