Andy Lewis/The Optionist
@andyblewis.bsky.social
Looking for great IP? Read the Optionist on Substack. Also wrote the civil rights history The Shadows of Youth, UVA Phd, Hollywood Reporter alum, lapsed college prof, retired fencer, once on KUWTK
This is the kind of investigative reporting I'm here for to cheer up my day
* You know how Van Halen had a contract rider demanding bowls of M&Ms with the brown ones removed?
They later claimed that was all a test to make sure venues were reading their contracts. Clever!
BUT WAIT, that claim itself is actually false. I fact-checked it.
Snack Stack exclusive:
They later claimed that was all a test to make sure venues were reading their contracts. Clever!
BUT WAIT, that claim itself is actually false. I fact-checked it.
Snack Stack exclusive:
In Search of Van Halen's Brown M&Ms
Contract riders and the meaning of a modern pop star
snackstack.net
November 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This is the kind of investigative reporting I'm here for to cheer up my day
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
PUNCHBOWL: “.. GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
PUNCHBOWL: “.. GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Trump's domestic Gestapo raided a job site, then handcuffed a US citizen born in Raleigh NC -- even after being shown the guy's REAL ID, which is only available to US citizens and LPRs
CBP+ICE will ignore your identifying documents when it suits their racism
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
CBP+ICE will ignore your identifying documents when it suits their racism
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
November 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Trump's domestic Gestapo raided a job site, then handcuffed a US citizen born in Raleigh NC -- even after being shown the guy's REAL ID, which is only available to US citizens and LPRs
CBP+ICE will ignore your identifying documents when it suits their racism
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
CBP+ICE will ignore your identifying documents when it suits their racism
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Some incredible details in this piece
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
November 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Crockett on MTG resigning: "Honestly, I was like, you got to be kidding. You're on the other side of the president for one week and you can't take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes."
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Crockett on MTG resigning: "Honestly, I was like, you got to be kidding. You're on the other side of the president for one week and you can't take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes."
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Ryan Zinke was forced out for shit like this
Seriously tho, this is a well-reported piece that make it hard not to conclude that Patel is using government resources to enjoy the trappings of a mid-level celebrity, like hosting his buddies for a golf retreat in Scotland.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
November 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Ryan Zinke was forced out for shit like this
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
DOGE was a failure if the goal was saving money. It was a huge success if the goal was giving a bunch of techbro adjacent people unfettered access to govt data in ways that, thus far, are evading the Privacy Act.
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
DOGE was a failure if the goal was saving money. It was a huge success if the goal was giving a bunch of techbro adjacent people unfettered access to govt data in ways that, thus far, are evading the Privacy Act.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Let's hear it for the kids! The vitality & courage of college journalism should inspire everyone.Prime example: The Harvard Crimson's outstanding reporting on Larry Summers and their forceful editorials arguing he should go. If Summers is (rightly) forced to retire or resign, the Crimson will be why
The Skeletons in Summers’s Closet | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
If Harvard wants to quash the culture that allowed Epstein and Summers to operate with impunity, it has to demonstrate that even its most decorated figures aren’t untouchable.
www.thecrimson.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Let's hear it for the kids! The vitality & courage of college journalism should inspire everyone.Prime example: The Harvard Crimson's outstanding reporting on Larry Summers and their forceful editorials arguing he should go. If Summers is (rightly) forced to retire or resign, the Crimson will be why
John Green is a national treasure.
The author John Green found an audience of millions making YouTube videos with his brother, Hank. As more people aspire to become influencers, Green warns that internet fame may make it feel as if everyone knows and loves you, “but in fact, no one knows you.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/m...
November 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
John Green is a national treasure.
This is a heartbreaking but beautiful (and beautifully written) essay by the daughter of Caroline Kennedy on facing terminal cancer at 36.
The decision by The New Yorker to release it on the anniversary of her grandfather JFK's assassination is certainly an interesting choice.
The decision by The New Yorker to release it on the anniversary of her grandfather JFK's assassination is certainly an interesting choice.
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
This is a heartbreaking but beautiful (and beautifully written) essay by the daughter of Caroline Kennedy on facing terminal cancer at 36.
The decision by The New Yorker to release it on the anniversary of her grandfather JFK's assassination is certainly an interesting choice.
The decision by The New Yorker to release it on the anniversary of her grandfather JFK's assassination is certainly an interesting choice.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
well, I read it, and the salient, non-gross part is Lizza alleging, midsentence and without elaboration, that Nuzzi ran numerous “catch-and-kill operations” on RFK’s behalf, which would give her a role in both his appointment and the untold preventable deaths he has abetted in office. Cool.
November 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
well, I read it, and the salient, non-gross part is Lizza alleging, midsentence and without elaboration, that Nuzzi ran numerous “catch-and-kill operations” on RFK’s behalf, which would give her a role in both his appointment and the untold preventable deaths he has abetted in office. Cool.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
This just sold for $9.12 million. A new record price for any comic book, blowing away the $6 million for a copy of Action Comics No. 1. A $10 million comic is coming very soon.
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
This just sold for $9.12 million. A new record price for any comic book, blowing away the $6 million for a copy of Action Comics No. 1. A $10 million comic is coming very soon.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Release the Trump-MBS Call About Khashoggi? talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/relea...
Release the Trump-MBS Call About Khashoggi?
Yesterday President Trump met in the Oval Office with Saudi Arabia’s de...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Release the Trump-MBS Call About Khashoggi? talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/relea...
This just sold for $9.12 million. A new record price for any comic book, blowing away the $6 million for a copy of Action Comics No. 1. A $10 million comic is coming very soon.
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
November 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
This just sold for $9.12 million. A new record price for any comic book, blowing away the $6 million for a copy of Action Comics No. 1. A $10 million comic is coming very soon.
This auction is happening in a few minutes. It's gonna be as dramatic as any TV show
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
November 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This auction is happening in a few minutes. It's gonna be as dramatic as any TV show
Remind me again when just talking about Charlie Kirk's actual views is such an incitement to violence that you should be fired but this is okay.
The Republican Party is a malignant cancer from top to bottom.
The Republican Party is a malignant cancer from top to bottom.
Martha Blackburn defends Trump's call to arrest (and execute) Democratic elected officials
November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Remind me again when just talking about Charlie Kirk's actual views is such an incitement to violence that you should be fired but this is okay.
The Republican Party is a malignant cancer from top to bottom.
The Republican Party is a malignant cancer from top to bottom.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
It never stops. There are 10 former presidents, former VPs, or spouses there today. Nine are white and they single out the Black woman for their tone policing.
November 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It never stops. There are 10 former presidents, former VPs, or spouses there today. Nine are white and they single out the Black woman for their tone policing.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
heres an example of politico covering the news while still covering for trump. the headline says trump is calling for a "trial" for dems. but what trump actually said is the dems should be offed. its very plain what he said. not saying so is a cover-up.
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
heres an example of politico covering the news while still covering for trump. the headline says trump is calling for a "trial" for dems. but what trump actually said is the dems should be offed. its very plain what he said. not saying so is a cover-up.
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The record for a comic is $6M. This is already at $8.4M with a few hours left in the auction! It has a heartwarming backstory: It was found by 3 brothers in an attic after their recently deceased mom bought it as a young girl living in SF's Chinatown. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...
Reposted by Andy Lewis/The Optionist
Impeach and remove.
Now.
Now.
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Impeach and remove.
Now.
Now.