Sko Hayes
@skohayes.bsky.social
Blue dot in rural west, dog mom, retired. Single, no kids. Life is good.
"In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."- George Orwell
"In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."- George Orwell
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Republican lawmakers in Missouri have advanced a constitutional amendment that would make citizen ballot measures much more difficult to pass. “If we can’t use the citizen-led initiative petition process, we’re done, we’re cooked,” says an advocate.
Under this GOP Measure, All of Missouri’s Recent Popular Initiatives Would Have Failed
Lawmakers just advanced a constitutional amendment to drastically raise the bar for approving citizen ballot measures. Voters get to weigh in on the scheme next year.
boltsmag.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Republican lawmakers in Missouri have advanced a constitutional amendment that would make citizen ballot measures much more difficult to pass. “If we can’t use the citizen-led initiative petition process, we’re done, we’re cooked,” says an advocate.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
If only there had been signs that a group of below average men who espouse misogynist views and are led by an adjudicated rapist would treat their female colleagues poorly.
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
If only there had been signs that a group of below average men who espouse misogynist views and are led by an adjudicated rapist would treat their female colleagues poorly.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, donald trump called his own VP JD Vance “incompetent”.
Then gramps took a well earned snooze for his trouble #USDemocracy
Then gramps took a well earned snooze for his trouble #USDemocracy
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, donald trump called his own VP JD Vance “incompetent”.
Then gramps took a well earned snooze for his trouble #USDemocracy
Then gramps took a well earned snooze for his trouble #USDemocracy
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Or put different, he’s pardoning people at SEVENTY FIVE TIMES the annual rate of the Biden presidency
So far, in less than one year, Donald Trump has issued over TEN TIMES as many pardons as he did in his entire four-year first term. That’s a lot of criminals released onto our streets.
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Or put different, he’s pardoning people at SEVENTY FIVE TIMES the annual rate of the Biden presidency
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Don't do it, Jack. At least bring a recording device hidden. They will lie.
#USDemocracy
apnews.com/article/spec...
#USDemocracy
apnews.com/article/spec...
House Republicans subpoena Jack Smith for closed-door interview about his prosecutions of Trump
The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith for a closed-door interview later this month even though he had earlier volunteered to ...
apnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Don't do it, Jack. At least bring a recording device hidden. They will lie.
#USDemocracy
apnews.com/article/spec...
#USDemocracy
apnews.com/article/spec...
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Please include the fact that that boat was approx 1100 nautical miles from Miami. There were no munitions on the boat. It was a traditional Trini boat design & probably wooden not a go fast drug boat. Blowing the boat & people to smithereens isn’t a legit response. It was murder. We aren’t at war.
December 4, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Please include the fact that that boat was approx 1100 nautical miles from Miami. There were no munitions on the boat. It was a traditional Trini boat design & probably wooden not a go fast drug boat. Blowing the boat & people to smithereens isn’t a legit response. It was murder. We aren’t at war.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Using this logic, if a combat aviator ejects from their aircraft, and while hanging in their parachute uses their emergency radio to call for help, they are now a legitimate target.
December 4, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Using this logic, if a combat aviator ejects from their aircraft, and while hanging in their parachute uses their emergency radio to call for help, they are now a legitimate target.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
This really lays bare how absurd the manufactured war theory is:
A shipwrecked survivor of a Hellfire missile strike on his small burning vessel is supposed to do... what, exactly, to show he is not "in the fight"?
When there is no war, applying the law of war is an exercise in absurdity.
1/2
A shipwrecked survivor of a Hellfire missile strike on his small burning vessel is supposed to do... what, exactly, to show he is not "in the fight"?
When there is no war, applying the law of war is an exercise in absurdity.
1/2
December 4, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Sko Hayes
9/ For the last point about international human rights being the correct body of law:
See section entitled, "Applying International Human Rights Law to the Alleged Facts" in this article written by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and me
See section entitled, "Applying International Human Rights Law to the Alleged Facts" in this article written by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and me
Unlawful Orders and Killing Shipwrecked Boat Strike Survivors: An Expert Backgrounder
An expert backgrounder on the reported Hegseth "no quarter" order to kill everyone aboard a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2.
www.justsecurity.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:35 AM
9/ For the last point about international human rights being the correct body of law:
See section entitled, "Applying International Human Rights Law to the Alleged Facts" in this article written by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and me
See section entitled, "Applying International Human Rights Law to the Alleged Facts" in this article written by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and me
Reposted by Sko Hayes
8/ A public service reminder:
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
December 4, 2025 at 2:34 AM
8/ A public service reminder:
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
7/ After serving in the Dept of Defense, I wrote the law review article SUPPORTING war-sustaining targeting.⬇️
But transporting/working on war-sustaining objects does not equal "active combat activities."
The 11 were civilians, and retrieving cocaine would not make the 2 less than shipwrecked.
But transporting/working on war-sustaining objects does not equal "active combat activities."
The 11 were civilians, and retrieving cocaine would not make the 2 less than shipwrecked.
December 4, 2025 at 2:33 AM
7/ After serving in the Dept of Defense, I wrote the law review article SUPPORTING war-sustaining targeting.⬇️
But transporting/working on war-sustaining objects does not equal "active combat activities."
The 11 were civilians, and retrieving cocaine would not make the 2 less than shipwrecked.
But transporting/working on war-sustaining objects does not equal "active combat activities."
The 11 were civilians, and retrieving cocaine would not make the 2 less than shipwrecked.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
6/ This next point gets deeper into some legal weeds, but law of war experts will know exactly what I mean.
The fact that the DOJ/USG wants to call these cocaine boats legitimate "war-sustaining" military targets, makes this new explanation fall apart.
The fact that the DOJ/USG wants to call these cocaine boats legitimate "war-sustaining" military targets, makes this new explanation fall apart.
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
6/ This next point gets deeper into some legal weeds, but law of war experts will know exactly what I mean.
The fact that the DOJ/USG wants to call these cocaine boats legitimate "war-sustaining" military targets, makes this new explanation fall apart.
The fact that the DOJ/USG wants to call these cocaine boats legitimate "war-sustaining" military targets, makes this new explanation fall apart.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
5/ Let Hegseth (or Admiral Bradley or General Caine) try to defend the idea that retrieving the cocaine is active combat activity. They can't.
They're digging themselves in worse.
They're digging themselves in worse.
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
5/ Let Hegseth (or Admiral Bradley or General Caine) try to defend the idea that retrieving the cocaine is active combat activity. They can't.
They're digging themselves in worse.
They're digging themselves in worse.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
4/ What about explanation that calling to be rescued might also allow cartel to retrieve some cocaine?
It's legally ludicrous to claim (as Hegseth et al would need to argue) that such conduct equals a failure to "cease all active combat activity."
Navy/Marines/Coast Guard Commander's Handbook:
It's legally ludicrous to claim (as Hegseth et al would need to argue) that such conduct equals a failure to "cease all active combat activity."
Navy/Marines/Coast Guard Commander's Handbook:
December 4, 2025 at 2:29 AM
4/ What about explanation that calling to be rescued might also allow cartel to retrieve some cocaine?
It's legally ludicrous to claim (as Hegseth et al would need to argue) that such conduct equals a failure to "cease all active combat activity."
Navy/Marines/Coast Guard Commander's Handbook:
It's legally ludicrous to claim (as Hegseth et al would need to argue) that such conduct equals a failure to "cease all active combat activity."
Navy/Marines/Coast Guard Commander's Handbook:
Reposted by Sko Hayes
3/ First it's absurd on its face that communicating to be RESCUED is a hostile act.
That's the definition of being shipwrecked and helpless.
The whole point of a legal prohibition on killing people who are shipwrecked is that they must be rescued or left to be rescued instead.
That's the definition of being shipwrecked and helpless.
The whole point of a legal prohibition on killing people who are shipwrecked is that they must be rescued or left to be rescued instead.
December 4, 2025 at 2:27 AM
3/ First it's absurd on its face that communicating to be RESCUED is a hostile act.
That's the definition of being shipwrecked and helpless.
The whole point of a legal prohibition on killing people who are shipwrecked is that they must be rescued or left to be rescued instead.
That's the definition of being shipwrecked and helpless.
The whole point of a legal prohibition on killing people who are shipwrecked is that they must be rescued or left to be rescued instead.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
2/ The Hegseth-approved contingency plan:
The U.S. military could try to kill shipwrecked survivors if "they took what the United States deemed to be a hostile action, like communicating with suspected cartel members."
The U.S. military could try to kill shipwrecked survivors if "they took what the United States deemed to be a hostile action, like communicating with suspected cartel members."
December 4, 2025 at 2:26 AM
2/ The Hegseth-approved contingency plan:
The U.S. military could try to kill shipwrecked survivors if "they took what the United States deemed to be a hostile action, like communicating with suspected cartel members."
The U.S. military could try to kill shipwrecked survivors if "they took what the United States deemed to be a hostile action, like communicating with suspected cartel members."
Reposted by Sko Hayes
The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/🧵
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/🧵
U.S. Military’s Boat Strikes Planning Takes On New Significance
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:25 AM
The USG has a new explanation on why they (now admittedly) intentionally killed 2 shipwrecked men. It does not pass the laws-of-war smell test
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/🧵
Worse for Hegseth, NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved contingency plans for what to do if an initial strike left survivors."
1/🧵
Reposted by Sko Hayes
‘Abbott Elementary’ star Quinta Brunson launches fund to provide free field trips to thousands of Philly students
‘Abbott Elementary’ star Quinta Brunson launches fund to provide free field trips to thousands of Philly students
“Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson is teaming up with the School District of Philadelphia to create a fund to provide free school trips to students.
www.phillytrib.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 AM
‘Abbott Elementary’ star Quinta Brunson launches fund to provide free field trips to thousands of Philly students
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Isn't it an oxyMORON to be targeting SUPPOSED Venezuela drug boats and then hand over a pardon to a Honduran drug trafficker? 🙄
It would seem to the average bear that blowing up boats isn't really about drugs at all! Just what is it all about? Oil? Are we reliving the 18th century?
#Voices4Victory
It would seem to the average bear that blowing up boats isn't really about drugs at all! Just what is it all about? Oil? Are we reliving the 18th century?
#Voices4Victory
SCOOP: From a U.S. prison cell, Honduras' ex-president secured a likely pardon for drug trafficking thanks to a letter he penned praising President Trump — whom he called "Your Excellency" — and a persistent lobbying campaign by longtime Trump pal Roger Stone.
Scoop: The letter behind Trump's pardon of Honduras' ex-president for drug trafficking
The surprise announcement of Juan Orlando Hernandez's looming pardon is a window into the unorthodox, norm-shattering way President Trump grants clemency.
www.axios.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Isn't it an oxyMORON to be targeting SUPPOSED Venezuela drug boats and then hand over a pardon to a Honduran drug trafficker? 🙄
It would seem to the average bear that blowing up boats isn't really about drugs at all! Just what is it all about? Oil? Are we reliving the 18th century?
#Voices4Victory
It would seem to the average bear that blowing up boats isn't really about drugs at all! Just what is it all about? Oil? Are we reliving the 18th century?
#Voices4Victory
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Color me shocked.
Republicans aren’t working for you…they’re working for their billionaire donors.
Watch what they do not what they say!
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
Republicans aren’t working for you…they’re working for their billionaire donors.
Watch what they do not what they say!
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
December 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Color me shocked.
Republicans aren’t working for you…they’re working for their billionaire donors.
Watch what they do not what they say!
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
Republicans aren’t working for you…they’re working for their billionaire donors.
Watch what they do not what they say!
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
Reposted by Sko Hayes
December 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Sko Hayes
This man shipped 400+ Tons of coke into our country. And Trump went & pardoned him.
How much $$$$ did trump get for this pardon?
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
How much $$$$ did trump get for this pardon?
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
December 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This man shipped 400+ Tons of coke into our country. And Trump went & pardoned him.
How much $$$$ did trump get for this pardon?
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
How much $$$$ did trump get for this pardon?
#ProudBlue
#Voices4Victory
Reposted by Sko Hayes
BULLSHIT!
Any single member of the House can introduce a motion to vacate the chair, which can then be brought to a vote.
Where’s the motion to vacate? LFG!
#DemVoice1
#Voices4Victory
#Pinks
#wtpBLUE
Any single member of the House can introduce a motion to vacate the chair, which can then be brought to a vote.
Where’s the motion to vacate? LFG!
#DemVoice1
#Voices4Victory
#Pinks
#wtpBLUE
RAJU: If defenseless survivors were killed, would that constitute a violation of the laws of war?
MIKE JOHNSON: I'm not going to prejudge any of that. I was pretty busy yesterday. I didn't follow a lot of the news.
MIKE JOHNSON: I'm not going to prejudge any of that. I was pretty busy yesterday. I didn't follow a lot of the news.
December 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
BULLSHIT!
Any single member of the House can introduce a motion to vacate the chair, which can then be brought to a vote.
Where’s the motion to vacate? LFG!
#DemVoice1
#Voices4Victory
#Pinks
#wtpBLUE
Any single member of the House can introduce a motion to vacate the chair, which can then be brought to a vote.
Where’s the motion to vacate? LFG!
#DemVoice1
#Voices4Victory
#Pinks
#wtpBLUE
Reposted by Sko Hayes
Breaking news: A dozen former leaders of the FDA warned that plans for a stricter approach to vaccine approvals risks undermining the nation’s ability to fight infectious diseases and could threaten the health of vulnerable Americans.
A dozen former FDA commissioners condemn plan to tighten vaccine approvals
In a New England Journal of Medicine article, the former FDA commissioners wrote they were “deeply concerned” by the top vaccine regulator’s approach to raising the bar for approvals.
wapo.st
December 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Breaking news: A dozen former leaders of the FDA warned that plans for a stricter approach to vaccine approvals risks undermining the nation’s ability to fight infectious diseases and could threaten the health of vulnerable Americans.
Reposted by Sko Hayes
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM