Michael Mathes
@michaelmathesafp.bsky.social
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
Shocking that #PaulSimon song “50 ways” is now 50 years old.
She said “Why don’t we both
Just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning
You’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me
And I realized she probably was right
There must be 50 ways
To leave your lover
She said “Why don’t we both
Just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning
You’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me
And I realized she probably was right
There must be 50 ways
To leave your lover
November 3, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Shocking that #PaulSimon song “50 ways” is now 50 years old.
She said “Why don’t we both
Just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning
You’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me
And I realized she probably was right
There must be 50 ways
To leave your lover
She said “Why don’t we both
Just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning
You’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me
And I realized she probably was right
There must be 50 ways
To leave your lover
October 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
@bluewavesurfer.bsky.social Why are you calling me a resister? Just because I followed you?
October 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
@bluewavesurfer.bsky.social Why are you calling me a resister? Just because I followed you?
“She never took a shower again”
— Jamie Lee Curtis, just now on #60minutes, about her mother Janet Leigh after she filmed the movie “Psycho”
— Jamie Lee Curtis, just now on #60minutes, about her mother Janet Leigh after she filmed the movie “Psycho”
August 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
“She never took a shower again”
— Jamie Lee Curtis, just now on #60minutes, about her mother Janet Leigh after she filmed the movie “Psycho”
— Jamie Lee Curtis, just now on #60minutes, about her mother Janet Leigh after she filmed the movie “Psycho”
Well that got pretty hairy.
Wordle 1,488 4/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,488 4/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
July 16, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Well that got pretty hairy.
Wordle 1,488 4/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle 1,488 4/6
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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
Does he even realize how people respond to remarks like this?
Why is he on TV?
So many questions
July 15, 2025 at 1:03 AM
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
Does he even realize how people respond to remarks like this?
Why is he on TV?
So many questions
“Immigrants built this country. Never forget that.”
— Herschel to Glenn
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Walking Dead”
— Herschel to Glenn
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Walking Dead”
July 7, 2025 at 12:11 AM
“Immigrants built this country. Never forget that.”
— Herschel to Glenn
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Walking Dead”
— Herschel to Glenn
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Walking Dead”
“No donors.”
Yeah I laughed too
Yeah I laughed too
July 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
“No donors.”
Yeah I laughed too
Yeah I laughed too
Over the #kennedycenter right now.
#fireworks
#july4 #july4th
#4thofjuly
#Fourthofjuly
#happyfourth
#hbdamerica
#fireworks
#july4 #july4th
#4thofjuly
#Fourthofjuly
#happyfourth
#hbdamerica
July 5, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Over the #kennedycenter right now.
#fireworks
#july4 #july4th
#4thofjuly
#Fourthofjuly
#happyfourth
#hbdamerica
#fireworks
#july4 #july4th
#4thofjuly
#Fourthofjuly
#happyfourth
#hbdamerica
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.
House quickly adjourns for holiday weekend.
July 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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.
House quickly adjourns for holiday weekend.
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.
“It’s devastating,” she said of the bill’s effects.
July 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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.
“It’s devastating,” she said of the bill’s effects.
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…
June 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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…
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
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
June 19, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The squeaking of the tanks amid this wild silence (other than the martial music) is positively ghastly…
THE TANKS! THE TANKS! SHREDDING OUR STREETS! COSTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!! THE TANKS ARE HERE
June 15, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The squeaking of the tanks amid this wild silence (other than the martial music) is positively ghastly…
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.
June 14, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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.
Difficult week for troubled genius.
First, Sly Stone, the insanely talented funkmeister and musical pioneer.
And now Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' surf rock poet whose sound textures laid the groundwork for so much in rock and pop.
Both died at 82. Both changed the world. RIP
First, Sly Stone, the insanely talented funkmeister and musical pioneer.
And now Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' surf rock poet whose sound textures laid the groundwork for so much in rock and pop.
Both died at 82. Both changed the world. RIP
June 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Difficult week for troubled genius.
First, Sly Stone, the insanely talented funkmeister and musical pioneer.
And now Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' surf rock poet whose sound textures laid the groundwork for so much in rock and pop.
Both died at 82. Both changed the world. RIP
First, Sly Stone, the insanely talented funkmeister and musical pioneer.
And now Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' surf rock poet whose sound textures laid the groundwork for so much in rock and pop.
Both died at 82. Both changed the world. RIP
I wrote recently about the otherworldly musical phenomenon and pioneer known as #SlyStone.
#funk #soul #rock
#dancetothemusic
#everydaypeople
#everybodyisastar
#RIP genius
www.rawstory.com/sly-stone/
#funk #soul #rock
#dancetothemusic
#everydaypeople
#everybodyisastar
#RIP genius
www.rawstory.com/sly-stone/
Sly Stone: soul music's groundbreaking, elusive superstar
by Michael MathesFunk master and iconic music innovator Sly Stone, whose songs drove a civil rights-inflected soul explosion in the 1960s, sparking influential albums but also a slide into drug addict...
www.rawstory.com
June 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I wrote recently about the otherworldly musical phenomenon and pioneer known as #SlyStone.
#funk #soul #rock
#dancetothemusic
#everydaypeople
#everybodyisastar
#RIP genius
www.rawstory.com/sly-stone/
#funk #soul #rock
#dancetothemusic
#everydaypeople
#everybodyisastar
#RIP genius
www.rawstory.com/sly-stone/
"This is the hallmark of authoritarianism on the road to tyranny – and all Americans should be shocked and appalled by the President’s blatant disregard for our Constitutional system"
-- House ex-speaker Nancy @pelosi.house.gov on ICE ops in California and Trump's threat to arrest its governor
-- House ex-speaker Nancy @pelosi.house.gov on ICE ops in California and Trump's threat to arrest its governor
June 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
"This is the hallmark of authoritarianism on the road to tyranny – and all Americans should be shocked and appalled by the President’s blatant disregard for our Constitutional system"
-- House ex-speaker Nancy @pelosi.house.gov on ICE ops in California and Trump's threat to arrest its governor
-- House ex-speaker Nancy @pelosi.house.gov on ICE ops in California and Trump's threat to arrest its governor
“It’s a feeling here of intentional chaos… This is not helpful.”
Brutal criticisms by LA Mayor Bass on @CNN of the various steps by federal agents and Trump, the “intimidation” and fear factors and their ripple effects through the city
Brutal criticisms by LA Mayor Bass on @CNN of the various steps by federal agents and Trump, the “intimidation” and fear factors and their ripple effects through the city
“It’s the last thing our city needs”
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
June 9, 2025 at 1:33 AM
“It’s a feeling here of intentional chaos… This is not helpful.”
Brutal criticisms by LA Mayor Bass on @CNN of the various steps by federal agents and Trump, the “intimidation” and fear factors and their ripple effects through the city
Brutal criticisms by LA Mayor Bass on @CNN of the various steps by federal agents and Trump, the “intimidation” and fear factors and their ripple effects through the city
“It’s the last thing our city needs”
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
June 9, 2025 at 12:07 AM
“It’s the last thing our city needs”
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
— L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on the federalization of the #NationalGuard and Donald Trump’s provocative deployment of guardsmen to the California city to quell unrest
CNN’s Abby Phillip ripping Bret Stephens — as she should — for his bullshit comment about Americans losing trust in media institutions without mentioning the decade-long conservative effort to demonize journalism.
“We have to ask how we got here,” she says.
“We have to ask how we got here,” she says.
June 8, 2025 at 12:47 AM
CNN’s Abby Phillip ripping Bret Stephens — as she should — for his bullshit comment about Americans losing trust in media institutions without mentioning the decade-long conservative effort to demonize journalism.
“We have to ask how we got here,” she says.
“We have to ask how we got here,” she says.
Coffee shop at #pikeandrose in Rockville getting into the 🏳️🌈 spirit this morning #pride #pridemonth
#croissant
#croissant
June 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Coffee shop at #pikeandrose in Rockville getting into the 🏳️🌈 spirit this morning #pride #pridemonth
#croissant
#croissant
-- 'Inaction and silence do not bring about change' --
🇺🇸 They've lost count of how many times each has been arrested, but even with a combined age of 180 years, Americans Joseph and Joyce Ellwanger are far from hanging up their activist boots.
AFP reports from Milwaukee
➡️ u.afp.com/SGZN
🇺🇸 They've lost count of how many times each has been arrested, but even with a combined age of 180 years, Americans Joseph and Joyce Ellwanger are far from hanging up their activist boots.
AFP reports from Milwaukee
➡️ u.afp.com/SGZN
June 2, 2025 at 1:57 AM
-- 'Inaction and silence do not bring about change' --
🇺🇸 They've lost count of how many times each has been arrested, but even with a combined age of 180 years, Americans Joseph and Joyce Ellwanger are far from hanging up their activist boots.
AFP reports from Milwaukee
➡️ u.afp.com/SGZN
🇺🇸 They've lost count of how many times each has been arrested, but even with a combined age of 180 years, Americans Joseph and Joyce Ellwanger are far from hanging up their activist boots.
AFP reports from Milwaukee
➡️ u.afp.com/SGZN