Writer, host, storyteller. I’ve covered the White House, State Dept, and the world, for news. Now I make things I’d watch.
Oct 25 • 7 tweets • 1 min read
How my friend convinced someone to vote for Harris instead of Trump:
The individual is a woman, well-off, living in the American west. 1. My friend showed her that she would actually not be affected by Harris' tax plan, which was her main concern.
Why did she think she would be?? Because, like many, she gets most of her information from terrible sources and people, and doesn't read or investigate independently.
Jun 25 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
At least 15 years ago, maybe a bit closer to 20, my crew and I were tasked with briefly covering some governors' association gathering or some such, down South.
Here is why I remember certain moments of what would otherwise be a blip of a blip of a non-event:
The room goes dark and some already-decades-outdated yet still-loved-by the-GOP anthem-- was it "Eye of the Tiger"?-- starts blasting.
We chuckle because they were just moments earlier talking about being desperate to appeal to younger people.
May 5 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with a few couples, friends of friends, all American. All were well-educated and successful in careers.
They seemed great! On the surface. For like an hour.
But slowly, over a few drinks, they began to let slip their true MAGA natures....
One of the couples each attended top ivy league colleges. But now that it was university time for their own kids, they were adamantly NOT letting them apply to any ivies. And were weird about explaining why.
Though the kids were double legacies.
Okayyy... moving on...
Aug 25, 2021 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
The little memories of Afghanistan, that stay:
* Safi Air... stained carpet but delicious food
* The literally breathtaking view of the Hindu Kush, from above, at dawn
* Loud, heavy, hard-drinking contractors from Arkansas
* All of the guns, and guns, and more guns
* The shape of the military barriers
* The giant houses, rented from warlords, with sad interiors
* The smell of diesel in the water supply, for weeks
* Filthy, horror-movie dungeon doors, that led to..oases!
* Soft pink sunsets over dusty, quiet streets
* Cool evening breezes
Mar 29, 2021 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The greatest thing I have heard all day is that my 83-year-old father in law got suspended from Twitter for saying he hopes “a coyote grabs Ted Cruz’s ass” while cruising the Rio Grande.
He lives in Trump country confederate-flag land and is a fearless badass.
Nov 5, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
In "powder keg" situations overseas, whenever we'd ask why the US isn't doing more to help protect the democracy supporters, the OTR answer was often that they didn't want the whole country to collapse like a house of cards.
They were afraid to add to the fire.
A legitimate concern at times, however sad, or even arguably immoral depending on current US involvement.
Nov 4, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
Thinking of some Trump voters I know in FL. White, highly educated male professionals.
They went that way for tax reasons, but also it turns out they really hate immigrants and people of color.
They are the children of immigrants.
And they date immigrants. Undocumented ones.
These guys are European, non-Hispanic.
Nov 4, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
For all those lamenting that this shouldn’t be close, that Trump voters are somehow choosing the endless attack on democratic safeguards that we’ve seen—
Do NOT assume that your fellow Americans have any understanding of how this country is supposed to work, or is now working.
The conscious choice is, in many cases, the one to simply remain ignorant. To not investigate. Not read. Believe and attack without questioning.
That is the weakness.
May 19, 2020 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: Secretary Pompeo does NOT live across the street from State, as I have seen it reported over and over again.
He lives at Fort Myer, in Virginia.
He moved there in Sept. 2018. (thread)
This is old news and I am not sure why people keep reporting he lives on the base across from State. This is WRONG.
Apr 30, 2020 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
NEW: Sources: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was treated in hospital with a drug called Flarin (high doses of ibuprofen specially encased in a lipid), which rapidly brought him and other Covid-19 patients out of intensive care. (see thread)
This drug is sold for inflammation in the UK, but is currently experimental for Covid.
As a result, trials for this specific use are now expected soon, possibly within days, in the UK.
