Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
@dirk2112.bsky.social
The World’s 3RD deadliest Comic Book Geek, Cinephile, Political Wonk, Music Nerd, Digital Strategist, Human Rights Activist – He/Him, because it's all connected.
Real Live IL 9th Voter!
Real Live IL 9th Voter!
Pinned
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Yes!🎉
Congratulations to my friend and our newest State Senator from Tarrant County, Taylor Rehmet! I met Taylor years ago through labor organizing.
Don’t tell us what can’t be done in Texas. When we show up #TexasTough, we change the game. Today we proved what we’ve known all along: Texas is in play.
Don’t tell us what can’t be done in Texas. When we show up #TexasTough, we change the game. Today we proved what we’ve known all along: Texas is in play.
February 1, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Yes!🎉
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
What’s that again about the Democratic brand?
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 6:25 AM
What’s that again about the Democratic brand?
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
O, she need not trouble. No trouble. She waved about her outspread Independent, searching, the lord lieutenant, her pinnacles of hair slowmoving, lord lieuten. Too much trouble, first gentleman said. O, not in the least. Way he looked that. Lord lieutenant. Gold by bronze heard iron steel.
February 1, 2026 at 6:22 AM
O, she need not trouble. No trouble. She waved about her outspread Independent, searching, the lord lieutenant, her pinnacles of hair slowmoving, lord lieuten. Too much trouble, first gentleman said. O, not in the least. Way he looked that. Lord lieutenant. Gold by bronze heard iron steel.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Former Texas Lege reporter here. A Dem hasn't held this seat since 1990. Tarrant is the safest of red suburban counties. There is no way the TX and national GOP aren't in panic mode right now.
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Former Texas Lege reporter here. A Dem hasn't held this seat since 1990. Tarrant is the safest of red suburban counties. There is no way the TX and national GOP aren't in panic mode right now.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Hear Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast from 1938: The Original Tale of Mysterious Objects Flying Over New Jersey
Hear Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast from 1938: The Original Tale of Mysterious Objects Flying Over New Jersey
A month ago, drones were spotted near Morris County, New Jersey.
www.openculture.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:43 AM
Hear Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast from 1938: The Original Tale of Mysterious Objects Flying Over New Jersey
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Union-backed Dem Taylor Rehmet nearly pulled off a stunning upset in November — almost winning a deep-red TX Senate seat over two billionaire-funded Republicans. He's now in a runoff with a fixture of the Texas far right. My latest, from Tarrant County, a bellwether and hub of Christian nationalism:
In Tarrant County, a Hub for the Far Right, a Democrat Seeks a Major Upset
In a runoff election for Texas Senate District 9, which has not elected a Democrat since 1991, Taylor Rehmet is betting his pro-labor message can flip disillusioned voters.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Union-backed Dem Taylor Rehmet nearly pulled off a stunning upset in November — almost winning a deep-red TX Senate seat over two billionaire-funded Republicans. He's now in a runoff with a fixture of the Texas far right. My latest, from Tarrant County, a bellwether and hub of Christian nationalism:
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Democrats didn’t just see a 30-point shift in Texas and flip a State Senate seat red to blue: they did it while being outspent 20-to-1. This will send shockwaves through the Republican Party.
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Democrats didn’t just see a 30-point shift in Texas and flip a State Senate seat red to blue: they did it while being outspent 20-to-1. This will send shockwaves through the Republican Party.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Wrecking Crew is actually really good IMO and Mamoa an Bautista should be in all the things, but they also get the Hawai'i vibe perfectly
February 1, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Wrecking Crew is actually really good IMO and Mamoa an Bautista should be in all the things, but they also get the Hawai'i vibe perfectly
You know what? That victory in Texas calls for a tap on the victory song sign. 🎧🍾
Queen - The Hero (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Queen Official
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 5:35 AM
You know what? That victory in Texas calls for a tap on the victory song sign. 🎧🍾
I understand that family comes first but damn I wish McBath hadn’t dropped out of that GA Governors race.
February 1, 2026 at 5:28 AM
I understand that family comes first but damn I wish McBath hadn’t dropped out of that GA Governors race.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Nate Silver watching the Texas SD9 special election results come in like...
February 1, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Nate Silver watching the Texas SD9 special election results come in like...
Who was it who just wrote a self satisfied opinion piece about dem chances in Texas again? I forget. 😏
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Who was it who just wrote a self satisfied opinion piece about dem chances in Texas again? I forget. 😏
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Leigh Wambsganss raised nearly $2.3 million for the SD9 district, much of it coming from three billionaire-funded PACs.
Taylor Rehmet raised $346,000, most of it coming from donations of $100 or less. His biggest donor gave him $12K, and a bunch of local unions also cut him larger checks.
Taylor Rehmet raised $346,000, most of it coming from donations of $100 or less. His biggest donor gave him $12K, and a bunch of local unions also cut him larger checks.
February 1, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Leigh Wambsganss raised nearly $2.3 million for the SD9 district, much of it coming from three billionaire-funded PACs.
Taylor Rehmet raised $346,000, most of it coming from donations of $100 or less. His biggest donor gave him $12K, and a bunch of local unions also cut him larger checks.
Taylor Rehmet raised $346,000, most of it coming from donations of $100 or less. His biggest donor gave him $12K, and a bunch of local unions also cut him larger checks.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
A huge political earthquake in Texas tonight as Democrats flipped a State Senate seat from red to blue in a district Trump won by 17 points.
Trump personally waded in — endorsing the Republican and personally urging base turnout — and was dealt a massive loss.
Trump personally waded in — endorsing the Republican and personally urging base turnout — and was dealt a massive loss.
February 1, 2026 at 4:58 AM
A huge political earthquake in Texas tonight as Democrats flipped a State Senate seat from red to blue in a district Trump won by 17 points.
Trump personally waded in — endorsing the Republican and personally urging base turnout — and was dealt a massive loss.
Trump personally waded in — endorsing the Republican and personally urging base turnout — and was dealt a massive loss.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Holy fucking shit!
That’s a 32-point over performance AND a flip!!
That’s a 32-point over performance AND a flip!!
February 1, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Holy fucking shit!
That’s a 32-point over performance AND a flip!!
That’s a 32-point over performance AND a flip!!
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Make sure you call your reps about this crap.
I've been posting about this for a long time. Time to raise awareness again: the SAVE Act would disenfranchise tens of millions of American women (including myself) whose legal names do not match the names on their birth certificates.
Lawyers say a Real ID DL wouldn't suffice to be able to vote.
Lawyers say a Real ID DL wouldn't suffice to be able to vote.
This one weird trick could stop US women from voting | Arwa Mahdawi
The Save Act – which would do the opposite of its title – could have a huge impact on the midterm elections
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Make sure you call your reps about this crap.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
The world is awful but also love is real
February 1, 2026 at 4:31 AM
The world is awful but also love is real
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
I had to read this a few times to let it really sink in.
The FBI was able to access Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's Signal messages because she used Signal on her work laptop. The laptop accepted Touch ID for authentication, meaning the agents were allowed to require her to unlock it. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 1, 2026 at 3:26 AM
I had to read this a few times to let it really sink in.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
BREAKING: Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election for Texas U.S. House seat, narrowing GOP's slim majority.
Democrat Christian Menefee wins election for US House, narrowing GOP's slim majority
Democrat Christian Menefee has won a Texas U.S. House seat in a special election that will narrow Republicans’ already-slim majority.
bit.ly
February 1, 2026 at 4:06 AM
BREAKING: Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election for Texas U.S. House seat, narrowing GOP's slim majority.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
Down and Out in Paris and Bluesky
NGL this description of Bsky in Vulture cracked me up
February 1, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Down and Out in Paris and Bluesky
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
UPDATE: The Democrat won the latest batch of roughly 6,000 votes, continuing to dominate in the count.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
February 1, 2026 at 4:03 AM
UPDATE: The Democrat won the latest batch of roughly 6,000 votes, continuing to dominate in the count.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
The Election Day vote is bluer than the early vote day so far.
With 55K votes in, Rehmet is up 57% to 43%.
This is a 30% swing since 2024 for now.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
White Passing Hall of Fame winner (tied w/ Mae West, whose paternal grandfather was a light-skinned black man) & camp avatar kooky Carol Channing was BOTD in 1921 & died in 2019 at 97. For over 50 yrs, Channing kept her paternal grandmother's African-American heritage a secret
January 31, 2026 at 8:03 PM
White Passing Hall of Fame winner (tied w/ Mae West, whose paternal grandfather was a light-skinned black man) & camp avatar kooky Carol Channing was BOTD in 1921 & died in 2019 at 97. For over 50 yrs, Channing kept her paternal grandmother's African-American heritage a secret
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
I genuinely believe the most important thing that happened in film in 2025 was this Ryan Coogler PSA about the different ways to experience SINNERS in theaters. His enthusiasm and knowledge regarding aspect rations and formats were infectious, making the very act of seeing his movie seem thrilling.
January 31, 2026 at 8:24 PM
I genuinely believe the most important thing that happened in film in 2025 was this Ryan Coogler PSA about the different ways to experience SINNERS in theaters. His enthusiasm and knowledge regarding aspect rations and formats were infectious, making the very act of seeing his movie seem thrilling.
Reposted by Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
January 31, 2026 at 9:46 PM
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
Ok so I both 100% agree and have to be honest and admit that there are genres and subgenres I technically feel like this about. Like I like to love the Jane Austen/Regency Romance stuff the dedicated fans of that stuff hate like that Dakota Johnson Persuasion
“I want a superhero show to not be a superhero show” is lowkey deranged logic.🤣🤣🤣
February 1, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Ok so I both 100% agree and have to be honest and admit that there are genres and subgenres I technically feel like this about. Like I like to love the Jane Austen/Regency Romance stuff the dedicated fans of that stuff hate like that Dakota Johnson Persuasion