Bill Lester
@billlester.bsky.social
Pinned
Bill Lester
@billlester.bsky.social
· Nov 22
November 17, 2024: Excelsior UMC Worship Service
Sunday worship at Excelsior UMC.
vimeo.com
‘By the Waters of the Minnetonka”
The origin story, the Native American legend that it is based on, and the beauty of the melody and words will take your breath away.
Start at 20:00. Original artwork by Lee Newcomb.
vimeo.com/1028167040
The origin story, the Native American legend that it is based on, and the beauty of the melody and words will take your breath away.
Start at 20:00. Original artwork by Lee Newcomb.
vimeo.com/1028167040
Congress’ failure to perform their oversight duties is what made this possible.
“Roberts will go down in history as the most destructive chief justice.”
Taking stock of the Roberts court at 20—and the shadowy forces that built it
"Roberts will go down in history as the most destructive chief justice."
www.motherjones.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Congress’ failure to perform their oversight duties is what made this possible.
Reposted by Bill Lester
For the first time in more than 20 years the Minnesota State House is convening without my former colleague Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman.
Ahead of this legislative session, I introduced a resolution in Congress honoring her life and service to people of Minnesota.
Ahead of this legislative session, I introduced a resolution in Congress honoring her life and service to people of Minnesota.
February 17, 2026 at 8:35 PM
For the first time in more than 20 years the Minnesota State House is convening without my former colleague Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman.
Ahead of this legislative session, I introduced a resolution in Congress honoring her life and service to people of Minnesota.
Ahead of this legislative session, I introduced a resolution in Congress honoring her life and service to people of Minnesota.
Minnesotans should be asking Emmer if there are any other of our constitutional rights that he sees as “false herrings.”
Emmer: "It's a false herring for these guys to suggest, 'Oh, we now we need a judicial warrant,' because they know that that's going to delay any enforcement of the actual administrative warrant."
February 17, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Minnesotans should be asking Emmer if there are any other of our constitutional rights that he sees as “false herrings.”
Reposted by Bill Lester
Emmer: "It's a false herring for these guys to suggest, 'Oh, we now we need a judicial warrant,' because they know that that's going to delay any enforcement of the actual administrative warrant."
February 16, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Emmer: "It's a false herring for these guys to suggest, 'Oh, we now we need a judicial warrant,' because they know that that's going to delay any enforcement of the actual administrative warrant."
Reposted by Bill Lester
Today marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse! Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating in Minnesota and around the world!
I am so proud to represent a district with such strong, vibrant communities across the Asian and Asian American diaspora.
I am so proud to represent a district with such strong, vibrant communities across the Asian and Asian American diaspora.
February 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Today marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse! Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating in Minnesota and around the world!
I am so proud to represent a district with such strong, vibrant communities across the Asian and Asian American diaspora.
I am so proud to represent a district with such strong, vibrant communities across the Asian and Asian American diaspora.
Reposted by Bill Lester
I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Rev. Jessie Jackson. His life was a testament to the importance of continuing the fight for civil rights, voting rights, and human rights for every person.
February 17, 2026 at 6:21 PM
I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Rev. Jessie Jackson. His life was a testament to the importance of continuing the fight for civil rights, voting rights, and human rights for every person.
So what Emmer is saying here is that since he supports Voter ID he obviously must also support ICE agents not wearing masks and identifying themselves. I am sure he will be intellectually consistent.
Emmer: "Another reform they claim they want is they want ICE agents to identify themselves, to show identification. But they don't want identification for voters in elections. I mean, this stuff is just intellectually inconsistent."
February 17, 2026 at 4:24 AM
So what Emmer is saying here is that since he supports Voter ID he obviously must also support ICE agents not wearing masks and identifying themselves. I am sure he will be intellectually consistent.
Reposted by Bill Lester
Emmer: "Another reform they claim they want is they want ICE agents to identify themselves, to show identification. But they don't want identification for voters in elections. I mean, this stuff is just intellectually inconsistent."
February 16, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Emmer: "Another reform they claim they want is they want ICE agents to identify themselves, to show identification. But they don't want identification for voters in elections. I mean, this stuff is just intellectually inconsistent."
Reposted by Bill Lester
On Presidents’ Day, this is a reminder of what presidential leadership can look like.
As House Republicans passed a bill to allow mining in the Boundary Waters, the family of Theodore Roosevelt is speaking up, breaking decades of silence to oppose it.
As House Republicans passed a bill to allow mining in the Boundary Waters, the family of Theodore Roosevelt is speaking up, breaking decades of silence to oppose it.
In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of Teddy Roosevelt oppose mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.
Teddy Roosevelt’s family urges GOP to protect Boundary Waters
In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near the Minnesota wilderness area.
www.startribune.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:17 AM
On Presidents’ Day, this is a reminder of what presidential leadership can look like.
As House Republicans passed a bill to allow mining in the Boundary Waters, the family of Theodore Roosevelt is speaking up, breaking decades of silence to oppose it.
As House Republicans passed a bill to allow mining in the Boundary Waters, the family of Theodore Roosevelt is speaking up, breaking decades of silence to oppose it.
Reposted by Bill Lester
Reposted by Bill Lester
MN-03 is at the Olympics! 🇺🇸
So proud of the six local athletes representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. We’re all cheering you on back home 🇺🇸❄️
So proud of the six local athletes representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. We’re all cheering you on back home 🇺🇸❄️
February 16, 2026 at 12:08 AM
MN-03 is at the Olympics! 🇺🇸
So proud of the six local athletes representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. We’re all cheering you on back home 🇺🇸❄️
So proud of the six local athletes representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. We’re all cheering you on back home 🇺🇸❄️
Reposted by Bill Lester
When one of his employees was killed by lawless federal agents, VA Secretary Doug Collins blamed his death on state and local Minnesota officials.
If Secretary Collins won’t stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that he’d stand up for them?
If Secretary Collins won’t stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that he’d stand up for them?
February 13, 2026 at 5:57 PM
When one of his employees was killed by lawless federal agents, VA Secretary Doug Collins blamed his death on state and local Minnesota officials.
If Secretary Collins won’t stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that he’d stand up for them?
If Secretary Collins won’t stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that he’d stand up for them?
Reposted by Bill Lester
A pregnant woman -- who is seeking asylum and has no criminal convictions -- was illegally detained without bond or due process.
This is not "the worst of the worst." This is inhumane and cruel.
This is not "the worst of the worst." This is inhumane and cruel.
ANOTHER ONE: Ruling tonight from Judge Gerrard in Minnesota ordering the immediate return and release of a pregnant woman, who was apprehended on her way to work, and her husband + two sons. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
A pregnant woman -- who is seeking asylum and has no criminal convictions -- was illegally detained without bond or due process.
This is not "the worst of the worst." This is inhumane and cruel.
This is not "the worst of the worst." This is inhumane and cruel.
Reposted by Bill Lester
ICE went after a nursing mother with a 5 month old baby who came to this country seeking refuge and has no criminal record.
The cruelty of this administration is beyond belief.
The cruelty of this administration is beyond belief.
Another ruling just yesterday in Minnesota: A federal judge calls it "particularly craven" that ICE transfered "a nursing refugee mother" out of state. Ta Eh Doh Lah was admitted as a refugee from Myanmar in 2024, has no criminal history and a 5-month-old. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
ICE went after a nursing mother with a 5 month old baby who came to this country seeking refuge and has no criminal record.
The cruelty of this administration is beyond belief.
The cruelty of this administration is beyond belief.
Reposted by Bill Lester
Minnesota’s economy runs on the strength of our small businesses.
I’m proposing $10 million in direct relief to help businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge stabilize, protect jobs, and get back on solid footing.
I’m proposing $10 million in direct relief to help businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge stabilize, protect jobs, and get back on solid footing.
February 13, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Minnesota’s economy runs on the strength of our small businesses.
I’m proposing $10 million in direct relief to help businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge stabilize, protect jobs, and get back on solid footing.
I’m proposing $10 million in direct relief to help businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge stabilize, protect jobs, and get back on solid footing.
Congress is trying to fix a major policy issue through the CR process.
The US is being governed through budget reconciliation, CRs and Executive Orders. And we wonder why nothing works and no one is actually proposing solutions.
ICE should be an administrative department.
The US is being governed through budget reconciliation, CRs and Executive Orders. And we wonder why nothing works and no one is actually proposing solutions.
ICE should be an administrative department.
NEW: Senate Democrats REJECT funding for DHS, which will lead to shutdown of the agency. Keep in mind, ICE and CBP are still funded by supplemental money in the BBB, but it's harder to spend and will deplete those funds. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Senate Democrats Block DHS Measure as Funding Deadline Approaches
Lawmakers say they remain far apart on deal on Homeland Security to put new restrictions on immigration enforcement
www.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Congress is trying to fix a major policy issue through the CR process.
The US is being governed through budget reconciliation, CRs and Executive Orders. And we wonder why nothing works and no one is actually proposing solutions.
ICE should be an administrative department.
The US is being governed through budget reconciliation, CRs and Executive Orders. And we wonder why nothing works and no one is actually proposing solutions.
ICE should be an administrative department.
Reposted by Bill Lester
Operation Metro Surge was lawless and lethal. Because of it, two Minnesotans are dead. Countless more have been brutalized, terrorized, and traumatized. The amount of physical, emotional, and economic harm done to our communities is immeasurable.
BREAKING: Federal authorities announce the end of an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths.
Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota
Federal officials have announced an end to an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths.
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Operation Metro Surge was lawless and lethal. Because of it, two Minnesotans are dead. Countless more have been brutalized, terrorized, and traumatized. The amount of physical, emotional, and economic harm done to our communities is immeasurable.
Reposted by Bill Lester
In Opinion
“Any serious push to account for the actions of this government — to abolish the president’s private army, restructure immigration enforcement and punish anyone responsible for wrongdoing — must include recompense and repair for its victims,” our columnist Jamelle Bouie writes.
“Any serious push to account for the actions of this government — to abolish the president’s private army, restructure immigration enforcement and punish anyone responsible for wrongdoing — must include recompense and repair for its victims,” our columnist Jamelle Bouie writes.
Opinion | We Have to Face What ICE Has Done to Us
Any serious push to account for the actions of this government must include recompense and repair for its victims.
nyti.ms
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 AM
In Opinion
“Any serious push to account for the actions of this government — to abolish the president’s private army, restructure immigration enforcement and punish anyone responsible for wrongdoing — must include recompense and repair for its victims,” our columnist Jamelle Bouie writes.
“Any serious push to account for the actions of this government — to abolish the president’s private army, restructure immigration enforcement and punish anyone responsible for wrongdoing — must include recompense and repair for its victims,” our columnist Jamelle Bouie writes.
Reposted by Bill Lester
“A recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation study concluded that every $1 invested in eviction prevention and housing stability saves $2 to $6 in emergency system costs. In other words, it’s far cheaper to ensure people remain housed.” @thephilanthropist.ca
thephilanthropist.ca/2026/02/on-t...
thephilanthropist.ca/2026/02/on-t...
On the front lines of eviction prevention - The Philanthropist Journal
“A little goes a long way” in keeping people housed, advocates say, and the social costs of not addressing the housing crisis are immeasurable.
thephilanthropist.ca
February 11, 2026 at 1:13 PM
“A recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation study concluded that every $1 invested in eviction prevention and housing stability saves $2 to $6 in emergency system costs. In other words, it’s far cheaper to ensure people remain housed.” @thephilanthropist.ca
thephilanthropist.ca/2026/02/on-t...
thephilanthropist.ca/2026/02/on-t...
The Worst of the Worst
This is what that phrase actually means.
This is what that phrase actually means.
Bloomington police announce arrests in sex trafficking bust: "Rashad Johnson out of Maple Grove. This is the most disturbing arrest that we've had here. He is a backgrounder for ICE, Homeland Security, and federal agencies."
February 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The Worst of the Worst
This is what that phrase actually means.
This is what that phrase actually means.
Reposted by Bill Lester
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
February 10, 2026 at 8:58 PM
US Olympic Curling Team member speaks out against ICE:
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
"I'm proud to represent Team USA. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been. What's happening is wrong. There's no shades of gray."
If we took the money they have spent on ICE and given it to state and local law enforcement, they could have arrested those 14% plus another three times as many other criminals, and they wouldn’t murder any citizens doing it.
www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arr...
www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arr...
Less than 14% of those arrested by ICE in Trump's 1st year back in office had violent criminal records, document shows
The official DHS statistics, which had not been previously reported, provide the most detailed look yet into who ICE has arrested during the Trump administration's crackdown.
www.cbsnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:30 AM
If we took the money they have spent on ICE and given it to state and local law enforcement, they could have arrested those 14% plus another three times as many other criminals, and they wouldn’t murder any citizens doing it.
www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arr...
www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arr...
Who could have ever guessed that?
Pardoned insurrectionists commit crimes at a higher rate than immigrants.
ALERT: Jan 6 riot defendant Chris Moynihan has pleaded GUILTY to charge of Aggravated Harassment in the 2nd Degree in New York for sending a text message in which he threatened Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) in 2025
Moynihan is latest pardoned rioter to plead guilty to new crime
Moynihan is latest pardoned rioter to plead guilty to new crime
February 9, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Who could have ever guessed that?
Reposted by Bill Lester
Read the room KARE11
February 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Read the room KARE11
Reposted by Bill Lester
Congress and SCOTUS are derelict in their duty to the degree of treason. Let's NEVER forget that.
February 9, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Congress and SCOTUS are derelict in their duty to the degree of treason. Let's NEVER forget that.