Kara

[Melanie Verdecia @MelVerdeciaEsq]

The State of Tennessee is currently torturing a man who maintains his innocence in the name of justice. This is not how our system is supposed to work.

[Sen. Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski]

Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness.

I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans. However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination. Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility. His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered.

Although he has recently revised his statements on women in combat since being nominated, I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join. Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation.

While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards.

Above all, I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise. The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook. Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.

[Adam Steinbaugh @adamsteinbaugh]

Federal court issues TRO barring Florida from threatening TV stations over Amendment 4 ads. "To keep it simple for the State of Florida: it’s the First Amendment, stupid."

[Kara @KaraRahRah]

@mdmaddy99 @mortygurlswift The people need a link to that playlist

[Joe Biden @JoeBiden]

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.

[WeRateDogs @dog_rates]

This police K9 bit an officer for being too aggressive toward protesters at a pro-Palestinian rally in Amsterdam. 14/10

[reb @rebmasel]

“what radicalized you?” how long can the list be

[FER 🌊🍑 @Marculona_]

@rebmasel Spot on

[Jared Cook @jkimballcook]

just a reminder: killing murderers is wrong not because murderers are nice people that deserve nice things, but because human life is of inherent worth regardless of guilt

[Bluesky: morganstringer.substack.com @MoString]

What Alabama did tonight is horrifying.

[Lee Hedgepeth @lee_hedgepeth]

I've witnessed four previous executions in Alabama. Yesterday's execution of Kenny Smith, the first human ever sentenced to die by nitrogen, was the most violent I'd ever seen. Read my full eyewitness account of the execution for @TreadbyLee here: https://t.co/IugFAlGNQo

[Kara @KaraRahRah]

@SensibleSimio @therylems @bshelburne Oooo. Okay well if you say so then

[Kara @KaraRahRah]

@SensibleSimio @therylems @bshelburne That’s not the definition of murder

[Maurice Chammah🍹🎻 @MauriceChammah]

This is horrifying to read.

A Stanford anesthesiologist wrote in with this description of what rats did when subjected to nitrogen gas, as death row prisoner Kenneth Smith will be on Thursday, for the first time in history.

[ACLU of Alabama @ACLUAlabama]

The death penalty is a broken process from start to finish— whatever the method.

[Kara @KaraRahRah]

@therylems @bshelburne Yes. Murder is always wrong. When done by a citizen or by a state. Always. Thanks for stopping by!

[Beth Shelburne @bshelburne]

Something I cant stop thinking about ahead of #KennethSmith execution: Alabama’s nitogen hypoxia protocol will require Kenneth to wear the death mask as he speaks his last words. The whole spectacle is grotesque but that seems particularly horrid & cruel. #deathpenalty

[Andrew Warren @AndrewWarrenFL]

Now that Americans have soundly rejected DeSantis' political stunts and radical ideas, l hope he tries three new things as governor: helping Floridians, protecting democracy, and upholding the rule of law.