Author | Lightnews

Michael Mathes

@michaelmathesafp.bsky.social

1.2K followers 840 following 260 posts

Recovering US politics reporter at AFP Washington. Stints in Vietnam, Thailand, England, Brazil, Peru. Other datelines: Tikrit, Islamabad, Kabul, Yangon, Phnom Penh, Andaman Islands, 28 US states. Pavement fan. Dad of a rocker

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Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · 3d

“It’s now or never”

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · 5d

Literally not a GOP governor

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · 5d

@bluewavesurfer.bsky.social Why are you calling me a resister? Just because I followed you?

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Aug 26

This is him trying

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Aug 19

I’m old enough to remember the 2012 election when Republicans saw “picking winners and losers” as the biggest issue of the campaign, a literal crime against humanity punishable by excommunication for life.
Today, not so much.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Aug 10

“She never took a shower again”
— Jamie Lee Curtis, just now on #60minutes, about her mother Janet Leigh after she filmed the movie “Psycho”

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 24

I believe the true medical diagnosis was hulkemia…

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Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 22

“Is he alive or dead?
Has he thoughts within his head?
We'll just pass him there
why should we even care?”
— Black Sabbath
#ripozzy

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 16

Well that got pretty hairy.
Wordle 1,488 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 15

James Carville, of “It’s Over. Kamala Will Win” fame, is again driving Democrats AWAY from the polls, promising on CNN that House Dem Spanberger will win the VA gov race, “And it’s not gonna be close.”
Does he even realize how people respond to remarks like this?
Why is he on TV?
So many questions

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 7

“Immigrants built this country. Never forget that.”
— Herschel to Glenn
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Walking Dead”

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 6

“No donors.”
Yeah I laughed too

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 6

As someone who has sucked an unknown alcoholic substance through a one-meter bamboo straw in the mountains of Vietnam in 1995-1999 — perhaps a few too many times — so am I…

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 5

Over the #kennedycenter right now.
#fireworks
#july4 #july4th
#4thofjuly
#Fourthofjuly
#happyfourth
#hbdamerica

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 3

The Carville that wrote an op-ed the week before the 2024 election to say it’s over, Harris will win? That guy???

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 3

jfc

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 3

Chants of “USA! USA!” On the US House floor as Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill narrowly passes with one vote to spare.
House quickly adjourns for holiday weekend.

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jul 3

Rep #AOC comes down the steps outside the US House and calls today, with vote on the OBBB, “one of the saddest days in modern American history.”
“It’s devastating,” she said of the bill’s effects.

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 22

I snapped pix of pro-Iran protesters Saturday outside the White House, chanting #handsoffiran. Four hours later Trump announced the US attacks on Iran nuclear facilities…

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 20

Well done

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 20

lol fair

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 20

Wondering if FIFA is gonna see this and move the World Cup out of the US…

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Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 19

I’ve had an #ebike for 2.5 months & 1,300 miles.
Some thoughts: e-bikes are gamechangers for over-40s. Do I work out as much as w/ regular bike? No, but I bike ALL THE TIME NOW. Huge benefit.
Sad fact: every ebiker over 35 is pedaling; EVERYONE under 25 is riding the throttle
#bikelife
#pedalon

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 15

The squeaking of the tanks amid this wild silence (other than the martial music) is positively ghastly…

Laura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · Jun 14

THE TANKS! THE TANKS! SHREDDING OUR STREETS! COSTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!! THE TANKS ARE HERE

Michael Mathes @michaelmathesafp.bsky.social · Jun 14

Hmm. The Fox News reporters anchoring coverage of the #militaryparade in the streets of Washington are speaking openly about “the pride I feel” to have a commander in chief that supports the US Army.