Gail Helt
@gailhelt.bsky.social
CIA analyst, 2003-14. Close Guantanamo. Human Rights. China. My posts reflect only my views.
I talk about this all the time so I’m really embarrassed that it took me an hour to get the pangram. Granted, it was pre-coffee.
December 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I talk about this all the time so I’m really embarrassed that it took me an hour to get the pangram. Granted, it was pre-coffee.
Student just gifted me with hot chocolate and this is gonna get me through the next couple of weeks! (Also, yes that’s a giant Peep next to a Joe Biden bobble head. Do not judge me)
December 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Student just gifted me with hot chocolate and this is gonna get me through the next couple of weeks! (Also, yes that’s a giant Peep next to a Joe Biden bobble head. Do not judge me)
Hard not to simply see the “SS”…
December 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Hard not to simply see the “SS”…
Meant to attach this to my reply. The screenshot itself is from Parnas’s Substack. The quote is from Griffin
November 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Meant to attach this to my reply. The screenshot itself is from Parnas’s Substack. The quote is from Griffin
Journalists: it is irresponsible to say the DC shooter had a CIA badge—suggesting he was under the control of the CIA. He worked for an Afghan paramilitary unit that was stood up by CIA in 2001, but by the time he was hired was more aligned with the military. Here’s why it matters⬇️ 1/3
November 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Journalists: it is irresponsible to say the DC shooter had a CIA badge—suggesting he was under the control of the CIA. He worked for an Afghan paramilitary unit that was stood up by CIA in 2001, but by the time he was hired was more aligned with the military. Here’s why it matters⬇️ 1/3
You know, it’s weird. When I was at CIA, I was told on multiple occasions (never b/c I had said anything wrong) that if we want to speak freely we can — but we need to turn in our badge on the way out the door. Everyone knew that the moment you left the Agency, you got your civil liberties back. 1/2
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
You know, it’s weird. When I was at CIA, I was told on multiple occasions (never b/c I had said anything wrong) that if we want to speak freely we can — but we need to turn in our badge on the way out the door. Everyone knew that the moment you left the Agency, you got your civil liberties back. 1/2
For folks who don’t seem to believe people on the left ever threatened MTG…this kind of behavior isn’t a one way street, and it’s going to take both sides exerting some grace and humility to end it.
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
For folks who don’t seem to believe people on the left ever threatened MTG…this kind of behavior isn’t a one way street, and it’s going to take both sides exerting some grace and humility to end it.
This greeted me as I arrived on my campus this morning. This thing could carry off a small child.
November 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
This greeted me as I arrived on my campus this morning. This thing could carry off a small child.
The tiniest glimpse of northern lights tonight in NE Tennessee
November 12, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The tiniest glimpse of northern lights tonight in NE Tennessee
A building on my campus burned overnight. I taught a bunch of classes in here this semester and I have to admit, I won’t miss the drafty classrooms. Still a shame though.
November 2, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A building on my campus burned overnight. I taught a bunch of classes in here this semester and I have to admit, I won’t miss the drafty classrooms. Still a shame though.
I asked Google Gemini. I don’t think it was this either. Maybe I’m too used to Trump level chaos, but this didn’t seem to depict confusion and chaos.
October 27, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I asked Google Gemini. I don’t think it was this either. Maybe I’m too used to Trump level chaos, but this didn’t seem to depict confusion and chaos.
And this is the legislation Trump claims gives him authority to arbitrarily hike tariffs.
October 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
And this is the legislation Trump claims gives him authority to arbitrarily hike tariffs.
Dude can’t match his foundation to his skin tone either.
October 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Dude can’t match his foundation to his skin tone either.
ACECO must be catching heat — their website is down
October 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
ACECO must be catching heat — their website is down
Oh Steven, “loser” describes the fascist ideology that the guy you work for has forced into our government.
In this case I absolutely agree we should modernize and leave that losing ideology in the 1930’s where it belongs.
Hands off The People’s House.
www.rawstory.com/east-wing-wh...
In this case I absolutely agree we should modernize and leave that losing ideology in the 1930’s where it belongs.
Hands off The People’s House.
www.rawstory.com/east-wing-wh...
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Oh Steven, “loser” describes the fascist ideology that the guy you work for has forced into our government.
In this case I absolutely agree we should modernize and leave that losing ideology in the 1930’s where it belongs.
Hands off The People’s House.
www.rawstory.com/east-wing-wh...
In this case I absolutely agree we should modernize and leave that losing ideology in the 1930’s where it belongs.
Hands off The People’s House.
www.rawstory.com/east-wing-wh...
Mussolini tore down entire neighborhoods in Rome that had stood since the Middle Ages in his quest to recreate the Roman Empire and link himself to the greatness of that era.
Dunno what Trump is trying to create, but we should all be a little afraid.
Dunno what Trump is trying to create, but we should all be a little afraid.
October 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Mussolini tore down entire neighborhoods in Rome that had stood since the Middle Ages in his quest to recreate the Roman Empire and link himself to the greatness of that era.
Dunno what Trump is trying to create, but we should all be a little afraid.
Dunno what Trump is trying to create, but we should all be a little afraid.
Nothing announces “I’m a dictator” quite like demolishing The People’s House.
October 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Nothing announces “I’m a dictator” quite like demolishing The People’s House.
Well, break out the flannel Tennessee!
October 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Well, break out the flannel Tennessee!
About 200 showed up to reject Kings in Bristol TN
October 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
About 200 showed up to reject Kings in Bristol TN
Sweet baby James the democrats are tone deaf. They send an email with “you are not an ATM” acknowledging we get asked for money a lot, and implying regret and gratitude — and then hit me with this ⬇️
October 14, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Sweet baby James the democrats are tone deaf. They send an email with “you are not an ATM” acknowledging we get asked for money a lot, and implying regret and gratitude — and then hit me with this ⬇️
You could practically read a book in this moonlight.
October 6, 2025 at 12:40 AM
You could practically read a book in this moonlight.
Giving a talk tomorrow evening if anyone is near Abingdon, VA
October 5, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Giving a talk tomorrow evening if anyone is near Abingdon, VA
Made friends with the white cat tonight. Been trying to get it to warm up to me for a couple weeks. Apparently it was feeling affable this evening. Black cat came out of nowhere and wanted nothing to do with me.
September 30, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Made friends with the white cat tonight. Been trying to get it to warm up to me for a couple weeks. Apparently it was feeling affable this evening. Black cat came out of nowhere and wanted nothing to do with me.