Wisconsin Judge who Tried to Human Traffic an Illegal Alien Out of the Courtroom Will Resign

She'll be allowed to resign, unfortunately, instead of impeached.

And this gross toad gets to keep all of her pension.

acing up to five years in prison for helping a violent illegal immigrant escape ICE officers, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is resigning. But even with the felony conviction on her record, Dugan will receive a generous taxpayer-funded retirement no matter what happens next.
A federal jury last month found Dugan guilty on the obstruction charge for the April 18 incident in which the leftist judge escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to the "jury door," allowing the illegal alien to briefly flee from Department of Homeland Security agents.
On Saturday, Dugan submitted her resignation letter to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. In it, she attempted to play both the martyr card and the social-justice hero as she decried the "unprecedented" charges against her. The Milwaukee County judge is appealing her conviction. She awaits a sentencing date, although it is unlikely Dugan will see much, if any, time behind bars for her first offense.
"I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary," Dugan asserts in the resignation letter. As The Federalist has reported, a Massachusetts judge faced criminal proceedings in 2019 following a nearly identical incident.
"I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary," the felon judge bloviated. "However, the Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench in Milwaukee County Branch 31 rather than have the fate of that Court rest in a partisan fight in the state legislature."
As a felon, Dugan really has no other choice but to resign. The Wisconsin constitution makes clear that those convicted of a felony are barred from holding "any office of trust, profit or honor in this state" -- unless they have been pardoned.

Unrelated:

And Marco wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer. https://t.co/clrME5xrJ1 pic.twitter.com/2Ao9ymThKR
— Benedict Spence (@BenedictSpence) January 6, 2026

Posted by: Ace at 06:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:31 PM (ZOv7s)

2 Now to read content

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:31 PM (ZOv7s)

3 We take what we can get.

Posted by: steevy at January 06, 2026 06:32 PM (YwEeS)

4 >>>unless they have been pardoned.

SPOILER ALERT

Posted by: Max Power at January 06, 2026 06:32 PM (SwyyQ)

5 2 Now to read content
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:31 PM (ZOv7s)

I always skip the block quotes.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:33 PM (06Hmj)

6 Huh.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 06:33 PM (zZu0s)

7 acing up to five years in prison
--------

Talk about a self-insert

Posted by: ... at January 06, 2026 06:33 PM (E0p3T)

8 I saw Gross Toad open for Sidegrade at Budokan in '81

Posted by: bob (moron incognitus) at January 06, 2026 06:34 PM (3BEDb)

9 But even with the felony conviction on her record, Dugan will receive a festive little hat.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at January 06, 2026 06:34 PM (Kt19C)

10 I saw Gross Toad open for Toad The Wet Sprocket and their midget drummer at the West Palm Beach Auditorium in 1992.

Posted by: All I Want at January 06, 2026 06:34 PM (R/m4+)

11 > As a felon, Dugan really has no other choice but to resign. The Wisconsin constitution makes clear that those convicted of a felony are barred from holding "any office of trust, profit or honor in this state" -- unless they have been pardoned.
---------
"Justice"

Or what passes for it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 06, 2026 06:35 PM (NwnyJ)

12 I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,"

Comedy gold.

Posted by: Beartooth at January 06, 2026 06:35 PM (GGatE)

13 A rare Contiguous Triple Nood in the previous thread. Very nice.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 06, 2026 06:35 PM (2Axwl)

14 Claw back retirement

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at January 06, 2026 06:35 PM (xcxpd)

15 now make this happen again, 1000 times +

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at January 06, 2026 06:36 PM (Cjt/F)

16 Now go after the judge who let a convicted Somali fraudster off after a conviction from a unanimous jury because she didn't think the prosecution had proven their case.

Wishful thinking, I know, but that decision was blatant left-wing activism from the bench at best and corruption at worst.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:36 PM (6ydKt)

17 She'll be allowed to resign, unfortunately, instead of impeached.

And this gross toad gets to keep all of her pension.
---
Okay, a couple of things. Why would someone not be allowed to resign?

Also, why would a pension be forfeit due to a criminal act? One either meets its requirements or not. There are provisions for fines as well as prison time, but stripping away someone's retirement means basically sentencing them to poverty.

The military has a punishment where one forfeits all benefits, but applying the UCMJ to society as a whole would be difficult.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:37 PM (ZOv7s)

18 Deport her with the illegal and see if she can collect her pension with him.

Lovers in the night.

https://tinyurl.com/4vjf668r

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 06, 2026 06:38 PM (WONhk)

19 There's something that irks me. Maybe i'm overthinking. But I have this nagging thought that there's more to these people not getting punished, simply fired and left alone. Yes, of course, it spits in the face of justice to not prosecute them for a clear and obvious crime because "that's not who we are (and you aren't neither if you know what's good for you)".

But it also kind of cements the idea that the position itself is the prize, and losing it is the punishment. It takes for granted that the job of Judge is a reward in and of itself. Which it totally is, de facto. But it shouldn't be. And we shouldn't take that for granted. It's just a damned job you get hired for or voted for, and you get paid to do it. It isn't some kind of title of nobility gifted by the king to be given and taken at his majesty's pleasure if you're a Good Girl or not.

Again, probably overthinking. But it's a creepy dynamic that i'm only just now noticing.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (06Hmj)

20 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)

21 One down , several thousand more leftist judges to go

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 06, 2026 06:41 PM (ScJGb)

22 There's something that irks me. Maybe i'm overthinking. But I have this nagging thought that there's more to these people not getting punished, simply fired and left alone.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (06Hmj)
---
Sentencing hasn't happened yet, all she did by quitting was save taxpayer dollars.

And yes, first-time offenders rarely get prison time, which is what made J6 such an atrocity.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:42 PM (ZOv7s)

23 But you are a felon. But you are a felon.

Every person she meets even clerks say, But you are a felon.

Forever plus some trillions.

Posted by: thug dolphin at January 06, 2026 06:42 PM (EyfuW)

24 Dugan will receive a generous taxpayer-funded retirement no matter what happens next.
====
After all, isn't that what this is really about.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:42 PM (RIvkX)

25 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)
---
So imposing a penalty on people charged, not even convicted.

The Dems would have a field day with that one.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:43 PM (ZOv7s)

26
She awaits a sentencing date, although it is unlikely Dugan will see much, if any, time behind bars for her first offense.

Posted by: Ace

==============

It's probably not her first offense; just the first time she's been caught.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 06:43 PM (AV9Wq)

27 AH, sorry I meant convicted.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (sDNVV)

28 stripping away someone's retirement means basically sentencing them to poverty.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:37 PM (ZOv7s)

I don't think a convicted felon government official should keep their ill-gotten gains when they commit a crime during the performance of their duties.

Call me crazy, but if they did put her in jail and take her pension away perhaps some of these other activist judges would sit up, take notice and control themselves a little better instead of cos playing as black-robed tyrants implementing the revolution against the white supremacists and capitalist Jews/White people.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (6ydKt)

29 We should take the w on this.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (RIvkX)

30 Hopefully still will see a trial and jail

Posted by: Skip at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (Ia/+0)

31 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)

Concur. Ain't hard and having such a rule will give pause to the broads and homosexual government employees out there who let their emotions run rampant and go off and act a fool and break the law.

Posted by: Common Sense at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (R/m4+)

32 There should be a law that any judge found guilty of committing a felony does not get the benefit of 1st time offender not doing time and they must lose their pensions. She is effectively not getting any real punishment other than losing her job.

We put judges in the ultimate position of following the law and making impartial rulings and when they break the law the entire system is weakened. To whom much is given much is required. She needs the maximum punishment and that includes losing her pension. If we don't stop these activist judges we are not going to have a country based on law. We are going to have anarchy.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 06, 2026 06:45 PM (viF8m)

33 The Marco Memes are awesome.

Posted by: garrett at January 06, 2026 06:45 PM (ddphe)

34 Heh heh heh heh.

Posted by: Lois Lerner at January 06, 2026 06:45 PM (2Axwl)

35 > Dugan will receive a generous taxpayer-funded retirement no matter what happens next.
--------
Everyone should be a

'judge."

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 06, 2026 06:45 PM (NwnyJ)

36 I don't think a convicted felon government official should keep their ill-gotten gains when they commit a crime during the performance of their duties.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (6ydKt)
---
Then push for that to be the law, because that's not the law now. If people have a retirement (and many government retirements are 401ks these days, not defined benefits), taking that becomes an additional punishment.

Just so people are clear: all I am saying is that wailing that they get to keep their retirement is silly because that's not a penalty the law as written can impose.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (ZOv7s)

37 Remember that old saw about "even the appearance of" something something whatever? How did that one go?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (06Hmj)

38 But it's a creepy dynamic that i'm only just now noticing.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (06Hmj)
====

She thinks of herself as a High Priestess in their religion.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (RIvkX)

39 Sad. Hopefully she’ll return to the legal world and continue to fight. While her acts were technically criminal, they were the type of acts that no sane or rational prosecutor should pursue, and at worst be dealt with through judicial sanctions. Judge Dugan was the victim of political muscle masquerading as impartial justice.

The conviction seemed weak for the 'self contradictory in a way that must be dismissed w/out prejudice.' kind of way but it's a conviction none the less. I hope it's vacated but whatever.

Rest now, sister. We have the watch. And I’ll see you in Valhalla.

The left has already forgotten about the judge(Dugan) who helped an accused DV escape from ICE. Proves they don’t really care. She’s going to prison and the leftist who were cheering her on have already moved on to other stories to get mad about. It’s clear most leftist slacktivist will never put their money where their mouth is.

Enforcing immigration laws is not the states job. Using a state courthouse to conduct operations is wrong. This conviction is wrong.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at January 06, 2026 06:47 PM (ycI94)

40 Remember that old saw about "even the appearance of" something something whatever? How did that one go?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (06Hmj)
====

"One must avoid even the appearance of impropriety."

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:47 PM (RIvkX)

41 Marco Rubio can hit 70 yard field goals like it's nothing.

Posted by: Don Black at January 06, 2026 06:47 PM (ZxPkt)

42 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)

Any public official convicted of a felony shall:

- lose all accrued pension and benefits.
- be required to begin each conversation with, "I am a shithead."
- wear lime green polyester jumpsuits at all times.

Being pardoned for your offense will not remove these stipulations.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:47 PM (ExV1e)

43
Just like Marjory Taylor Greene retiring JUST after her lifetime benefits kicked in.

Posted by: Frank Barone at January 06, 2026 06:48 PM (IifOV)

44 >>Rest now, sister. We have the watch. And I’ll see you in Valhalla.

These people are insane.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 06, 2026 06:48 PM (viF8m)

45 Buying Canada would be great.

We get our very own Siberia.

Bring on the Global Warming!!!

Posted by: pawn at January 06, 2026 06:48 PM (Rmqfl)

46 A rare Contiguous Triple Nood in the previous thread. Very nice.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes

In the vast, ever-shifting digital savannah of the internet, where countless threads flicker into existence and vanish like mayflies, a far rarer spectacle sometimes emerges.
Deep within the humming glow of servers and the ceaseless murmur of notifications, we may, if we are exceptionally fortunate, witness the elusive A rare Contiguous Triple Nood.
Observe how three separate discussion threads—each born in isolation—have aligned themselves with almost uncanny precision: the final reply of the first thread gently linking to the opening post of the second, which in turn flows seamlessly into the third. Three distinct conversations, now fused end-to-end into one unbroken ribbon of discourse that stretches across platforms, subreddits, and time zones like a single, sinuous organism of human thought.
In a realm where threads normally fragment, derail, go dormant, or explode into chaos, this rare contiguous triple nood appears perhaps once in every ten thousand online exchanges—a fleeting moment of continuity amid the usual digital entropy.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 06, 2026 06:48 PM (cYBz/)

47 >"One must avoid even the appearance of impropriety."
----

the other one was 'the seriousness of the charges'

Posted by: Don Black at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (ZxPkt)

48
Rubio just clinched the AFC & NFC South after taking Venezuela.

Posted by: Frank Barone at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (IifOV)

49 Hopefully still will see a trial and jail
Posted by: Skip at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (Ia/+0)

A federal jury last month found Dugan guilty on the obstruction charge for the April 18 incident in which the leftist judge escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to the "jury door," allowing the illegal alien to briefly flee from Department of Homeland Security agents.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (ExV1e)

50 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)

Remember it has to get past any challenge and that is decided by the courts, who seem to be really keen on preventing loss to their perks and pensions.
In the past, in Oregon and in IL there had been questions if the pensions could be adjusted or removed post-agreement, and the courts said no.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (rbvCR)

51
Sad. Hopefully she’ll return to the legal world and continue to fight.
Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions

=============

omg. I hadn't thought of that awful possibility. She'll collect a pension AND a check for her "services."

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (AV9Wq)

52 I am actually shocked that she was found guilty and fell on her sword. I suspect her resignation was part of the deal the judge hinted to her trial team ahead of the sentencing phase to avoid jail time.

Having said that, I am giving 50/50 odds on maduro being found not guilty in NYC if it comes to trial. That assumes the 92 year old clinton appointed judge doesn't rule that Trump is in contempt and must return him to venezuala.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (0N4FZ)

53 Howdy Friends. Another win for our side. WooHoo!

And regarding Greenland and Denmark - is this really true?

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (t0Out)

54
I think Trump should trade New York for Greenland.

Posted by: Frank Barone at January 06, 2026 06:51 PM (IifOV)

55 Then push for that to be the law, because that's not the law now. If people have a retirement (and many government retirements are 401ks these days, not defined benefits), taking that becomes an additional punishment.

Just so people are clear: all I am saying is that wailing that they get to keep their retirement is silly because that's not a penalty the law as written can impose.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (ZOv7s)

Yeah, I don't see any legislature passing legislation where any legislator who commits a felony gets their pension taken away.

We can't even get them to not vote themselves a raise every few years. I understand your position but I realize my remedy is as possible as flying pigs.

Judges have become politicians so they're all in the same club. especially among the comrades on the left.

And we ain't in it.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:51 PM (6ydKt)

56 Remember that old saw about "even the appearance of" something something whatever? How did that one go?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (06Hmj)

It's a big club, see, and they will use it on you?

Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 06:51 PM (rbvCR)

57 >>I think Trump should trade New York for Greenland.

How about $42 in Beads and Trinkets?

Posted by: garrett at January 06, 2026 06:52 PM (ddphe)

58 And regarding Greenland and Denmark - is this really true?
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (t0Out)

Define 'this'.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:52 PM (ExV1e)

59 We should take the w on this.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:44 PM (RIvkX)
---
Yes. She was convicted, which is huge, and then she decided to quit rather than milk the publicity and play games with the Legislature.

A judge FA's and got the FO. I think the lesson was learned.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:52 PM (ZOv7s)

60 Dugan, like Denmark, looks constipated. Probably from eating all of that cheese.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at January 06, 2026 06:52 PM (abIsI)

61 This is great, but why am I seeing nothing about Iran here on Ace? Are the non-mainstream headlines I'm seeing Fake News? It sounds like the Islamic Iranian regime has been collapsing in free fall today. Is that not real?

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (hOOi9)

62 omg. I hadn't thought of that awful possibility. She'll collect a pension AND a check for her "services."
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

I'm pretty sure I've seen legal analysts say a felony conviction usually means your law license is revoked, or at least suspended.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (ycI94)

63 >> A judge FA's and got the FO. I think the lesson was learned.

Maybe just a cursory Audit?

Posted by: IRS at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (ddphe)

64 Arab Spring is early this year.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (eq9pm)

65 Huh. Supreme Court of Texas just ruled that TX medical schools don't need to listen to the ABA.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (mlg/3)

66 well, whoever had "mtg returns to the view", step up to the window to collect your winnings
- according to the DM

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (Cjt/F)

67 Marco Rubio can hit 70 yard field goals like it's nothing.
Posted by: Don Black at January 06, 2026 06:47 PM (ZxPkt)

We need a Marc Rubio Chuck Norris thread .

I would like Chuck Norris kneeling in front of the Rubio photo above.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (KDPiq)

68 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had
+++

One could.

One could also pass a law saying if you ever get fired for cause then your company can claw-back all benefits you have already expended, say health insurance costs for annual checkups.

Pensions are part of the compensation package on top of straight wages. The fact that they are deferred for years, even decades, does not make them a "prize' for making it 25 without getting fired.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (/lPRQ)

69 54
I think Trump should trade New York for Greenland.

Posted by: Frank Barone at January 06, 2026 06:51 PM (IifOV)

We already took New York from the Dutch once, and you want to give it back?

We should work out a century-long lease or something, on just the parts of the island we need.

Everybody comes out happy.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (6ydKt)

70 61 This is great, but why am I seeing nothing about Iran here on Ace? Are the non-mainstream headlines I'm seeing Fake News? It sounds like the Islamic Iranian regime has been collapsing in free fall today. Is that not real?
Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (hOOi9)

I read yesterday that the Ayatollah is planning on bugging out to Russia. Don't know of that's true.

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (t0Out)

71 Huh. Supreme Court of Texas just ruled that TX medical schools don't need to listen to the ABA.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (mlg/3)

Why would they?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (ExV1e)

72 She'll be allowed to resign, unfortunately, instead of impeached.

I read that as "impaled"

Posted by: Moderately Magyar Miklos at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (f/3mU)

73
She can move to the Island of Uggo Humans. Acceptance guaranteed!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (CISbh)

74 Having said that, I am giving 50/50 odds on maduro being found not guilty in NYC if it comes to trial. That assumes the 92 year old clinton appointed judge doesn't rule that Trump is in contempt and must return him to venezuala.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (0N4FZ)

I am going to guess that he will get a plea bargain after giving all the information he has, since an acquittal will send him back to Venezuela, where he has enemies and victims and he won't get his position back.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (rbvCR)

75 Her departure is a win. Another win. Winning is really okay to be happy about, Horde.

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (pDt9x)

76 Two cities have fallen in Iran.

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (eq9pm)

77 >>I think Trump should trade New York for Greenland.

New England.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (abIsI)

78 Holy mackeral, Ragnar Rubio, the 47th Warrior!

Posted by: ErikInTexas at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (4b7CV)

79 >>Pensions are part of the compensation package on top of straight wages. The fact that they are deferred for years, even decades, does not make them a "prize' for making it 25 without getting fired.

There are very few public companies that still offer pensions. It is becoming a perk of the government only.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (viF8m)

80 Some guy tried to shoot Rubio with a 30-06 and it ricocheted off Rubio and hit the guy.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (KDPiq)

81 "Greenland and Denmark request a meeting with Marco Rubio"?

Well, THAT's interesting. I've always believed that Trump would succeed in obtaining Greenland - it makes SO much sense.

Not so sure about Canada though. Although I sort of wonder if Alberta is far behind.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 06:56 PM (hOOi9)

82 "stripping away someone's retirement means basically sentencing them to poverty."

She broke her social contract. Too bad.

Posted by: fd at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (vFG9F)

83 Remember that old saw about "even the appearance of" something something whatever? How did that one go?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (06Hmj)

Something about Cæsar’s wife?

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (MjXxC)

84 There are very few public companies that still offer pensions. It is becoming a perk of the government only.
Posted by: JackStraw at January 06, 2026 06:55 PM (viF8m)

And it needs to end. They should get a 401k (or equivalent) like the rest of us.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (ExV1e)

85 I read yesterday that the Ayatollah is planning on bugging out to Russia. Don't know of that's true.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

S. J. Perelman wrote a story called "Jet Propelled Turban"

Posted by: Moderately Literary Miklos at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (f/3mU)

86 71 Huh. Supreme Court of Texas just ruled that TX medical schools don't need to listen to the ABA.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (mlg/3)

Why would they?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

It seems cruel to make sick people listen to Dancing Queen and Take a Chance on Me when they're bedridden.

Posted by: Confused Moron at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (ycI94)

87 Remember that old saw about "even the appearance of" something something whatever? How did that one go?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:46 PM (06Hmj)
====

"One must avoid even the appearance of impropriety."
-----

Yep. We (the bank examiners) could go to lunch with people from the bank, but it was *strictly* separate checks and it was understood that there was to be zero dinners, since those could involve alcohol which impairs judgement. "No", I am NOT kidding. We were trained that way almost from the moment we were hired.

Posted by: Crusader, former Federal Bank Examiner at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (TN0g+)

88 This is great, but why am I seeing nothing about Iran here on Ace? Are the non-mainstream headlines I'm seeing Fake News? It sounds like the Islamic Iranian regime has been collapsing in free fall today. Is that not real?
Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (hOOi9)

Yesterday Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill announced that he was updating the US childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, to recommend routine vaccination for all children against 11 diseases and the shot schedule to be something less than the current 80 shots.
Haven't heard much about this yet, I expect the MFM hasn't been told what to conclude yet.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (rbvCR)

89 64 Arab Spring is early this year.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (eq9pm)

First time as History, second time as Farsi.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:58 PM (06Hmj)

90 We took away part of McCabe's pension and he got it back with interest.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 06:58 PM (KDPiq)

91 Huh. Supreme Court of Texas just ruled that TX medical schools don't need to listen to the ABA.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (mlg/3)

Why would they?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

It seems cruel to make sick people listen to Dancing Queen and Take a Chance on Me when they're bedridden.
------

SOS can be crushing if played when little hope is present.

Posted by: Crusader at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (TN0g+)

92 Pensions are part of the compensation package on top of straight wages. The fact that they are deferred for years, even decades, does not make them a "prize' for making it 25 without getting fired.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (/lPRQ)
---
I have skin in the game on this. My uncle was sent to prison for 20 years after killing a man.

So he did hard time, but he was a state employee and a 'Nam veteran who qualifies for disability. He's too old to work, but he did earn a retirement and so that's what he is living on now. There are lots of people who screw up bigly, and only get set free in old age. I see no point is taking retirements. Just kill them up front.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (ZOv7s)

93 75 Right on, Tubal. That loathsome dove is off the bench and irrelevant. However she was got off the train...she is off the train. Yay!

Posted by: ErikInTexas at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (4b7CV)

94 89 64 Arab Spring is early this year.
Posted by: Boss Moss at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (eq9pm)

First time as History, second time as Farsi.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 06:58 PM (06Hmj)

Oooh that's good!!

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (pDt9x)

95 I am sure you can go make a blog and talk about Iran to your heart's content.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (zZu0s)

96
"Greenland and Denmark request a meeting with Marco Rubio"

Prithee, Lord Rubio, grant us a boon!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (CISbh)

97 This Is the Final Battle - The Shah Will Return

Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (RIvkX)

98 "We already took New York from the Dutch once, and you want to give it back?

We should work out a century-long lease or something, on just the parts of the island we need."

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 06:54 PM (6ydKt)

One of my ancestors was involved in that.

But the Dutch and the Danes are not the same people, dude.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (hOOi9)

99 since those could involve alcohol which impairs judgement. "No", I am NOT kidding. We were trained that way almost from the moment we were hired.
Posted by: Crusader, former Federal Bank Examiner

Alcohol HARAM (mostly)

Posted by: Somali Day Care Auditor M.M. Mohammed at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (f/3mU)

100 What's this? Mike Johnson's PAC's are involved in this fake daycare nonsense? Say it ain't so.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (abIsI)

101 78 Holy mackeral, Ragnar Rubio, the 47th Warrior!
Posted by: ErikInTexas

Don't forget about me!!!

Posted by: Antonio Bandaleras, the Thirteenth Warrior at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (ycI94)

102 I am talking about a person that is paid by taxpayers. I am a vindictive bitch and I would take away her comfy shoes too.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (sDNVV)

103 But the Dutch and the Danes are not the same people, dude.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (hOOi9)

Is there anyone left in either country who knows that?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (06Hmj)

104 >>And it needs to end. They should get a 401k (or equivalent) like the rest of us.

And I'd be fine with that. The argument used to be that government workers got generous pensions because the private sector paid so much better. That hasn't been true in a very long time. Now they are getting equal pay and very generous pensions.

Head down to Florida and you will see thousands of retired public workers in their 50s living on great pensions with great insurance, all paid for by the taxpayers.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 06, 2026 07:01 PM (viF8m)

105 100 What's this? Mike Johnson's PAC's are involved in this fake daycare nonsense? Say it ain't so.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (abIsI)

It ain't so??

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:01 PM (pDt9x)

106 Biden is going to have a huge pension. More than what his Presidential salary was. That they let you stack government pensions is BS.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 07:01 PM (KDPiq)

107 One of my ancestors was involved in that.

But the Dutch and the Danes are not the same people, dude.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (hOOi9)

My bad.
I knew that at one time but the brain is in low gear lately.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:01 PM (6ydKt)

108 And it needs to end. They should get a 401k (or equivalent) like the rest of us.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 06:57 PM (ExV1e)
---
I'm not sure how prevalent it still is. Pension liabilities got out of control and I think most governments just have 401k style retirements. Even the military is that way now.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:01 PM (ZOv7s)

109
Rest now, sister. We have the watch. And I’ll see you in Valhalla.

See you on the dark side of the moon.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 06, 2026 07:02 PM (pkeXY)

110 However she was got off the train...she is off the train. Yay!
Posted by: ErikInTexas at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (4b7CV)

See, we wouldn't be sentencing her to poverty, she could always talk to David Frenchs wife and find out where to catch a train.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 07:02 PM (zZu0s)

111 There are lots of people who screw up bigly, and only get set free in old age. I see no point is taking retirements. Just kill them up front.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (ZOv7s)

Fair enough. Any government worker who is a Democrat, or sympathizes with the Democrats, and is convicted of a felony shall be put to death within 48 hours of conviction. Republicans may choose to forfeit their pension in lieu of execution.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:02 PM (ExV1e)

112 Rest now, sister. We have the watch. And I’ll see you in Valhalla.

See you on the dark side of the moon.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 06, 2026 07:02 PM (pkeXY)

So you think you can tell Heaven from Hell?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 07:02 PM (zZu0s)

113 52. I assume Florida state investigators and federal investigators in Florida are interviewing (legal) Venezuela immigrants to see who can testify that Maduro directly abused/assaulted/kidnapped them or family members. i certainly would not trust the New York judiciary.

Posted by: Fenderbender at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (1FEc1)

114 Viceroy of Greenland?

Posted by: Boss Moss at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (eq9pm)

115 Huh. Supreme Court of Texas just ruled that TX medical schools don't need to listen to the ABA.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 06:53 PM (mlg/3)

Why would it take a state Supreme Court ruling for that? The ABA has fuck-all to do with medical schools.

Posted by: Genuinely confused here at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (TbWk/)

116
We should work out a century-long lease or something, on just the parts of the island we need.

Gitmo North

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (CISbh)

117 I read yesterday that the Ayatollah is planning on bugging out to Russia. Don't know of that's true.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

IRRC, The Councils are the groups to watch. They have all of the power. The Supreme Leader is just their elected monkey.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (mlg/3)

118 95 I am sure you can go make a blog and talk about Iran to your heart's content.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 06:59 PM (zZu0s)

They've been major funders of global terror for maybe about 50 years now, and were a nuclear threat to Israel and the US, so you'd think that evil regime falling would catch a little attention here, is all.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (hOOi9)

119 Head down to Florida and you will see thousands of retired public workers in their 50s living on great pensions with great insurance, all paid for by the taxpayers.
Posted by: JackStraw

And in their second Primary residences.

Posted by: Miklos casts many aspersions at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (f/3mU)

120 The purpose of the government employee at any level having a pension was they were usually low paid, low skilled jobs for morons who needed benefits to motivate them to stay employed. Over time, the morons flipped the script and are now highly paid, low skilled morons who also get mucho benefits and fat pensions.

Time to abolish all government pensions due to the extravagant pay and benefits the low skilled morons now receive.

Posted by: DOGE at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (R/m4+)

121 One of my ancestors was involved in that.

But the Dutch and the Danes are not the same people, dude.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:00 PM (hOOi9)

Dutch are like Auburn with multiple names .

Hollander or Dutch ?

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (KDPiq)

122 20 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 06:40 PM (sDNVV)
..........................................
The problem with this is it makes sense, as well as making liberals cry. Which would be a benefit to the bill...to see who votes yea or nay.

Then deport them, too. I seem to be in a deporting mood today and every day. Invasions are the weekend.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (WONhk)

123 We took away part of McCabe's pension and he got it back with interest.
Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 06:58 PM (KDPiq)
---
Trump's people terminated him before he vested, he sued and Biden's people caved. A little different.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (ZOv7s)

124
While her acts were technically criminal, they were the type of acts that no sane or rational prosecutor should pursue,

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions

==============

Is Comey posting there?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (AV9Wq)

125 Why would it take a state Supreme Court ruling for that? The ABA has fuck-all to do with medical schools.
Posted by: Genuinely confused here
=====
AMA?

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (WDjG6)

126 Next to fall after Greenland, Coober.

Is it true that Cuban cigars are rolled on the bellies of virgins?

Posted by: Maj. Healey at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (abIsI)

127 Having said that, I am giving 50/50 odds on maduro being found not guilty in NYC if it comes to trial. That assumes the 92 year old clinton appointed judge doesn't rule that Trump is in contempt and must return him to venezuala.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 06, 2026 06:49 PM (0N4FZ)

I am going to guess that he will get a plea bargain after giving all the information he has, since an acquittal will send him back to Venezuela, where he has enemies and victims and he won't get his position back.
Posted by: Kindltot

Give him and wife separate tours of the Federal Supermax and a ClubFed. Let them decide which way they want to live the rest of their lives.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (/lPRQ)

128 I'm imagining a concept you could almost call "meta-law".

The people who are tasked with upholding the law can't only be beholden to the exact same law as everyone else, and the law that they themselves uphold.

If you are contributing, or even actively working, towards the erosion of accountability and justice while you hold a position expressly dedicated to accountability and justice, and also thereby given power over your fellow citizens that they can't possibly wield over you in return... then....

I don't know. It's an ugly topic.

Maybe it needs to be dealt with a little more explicitly. Maybe it is and nobody cares.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (06Hmj)

129 Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (hOOi9)

And yet, how many times has Iran been about to fall. My guess is ace is keeping his powder dry for now rather than being David French and his wife snatching the 'football' away again.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (zZu0s)

130 So you think you can tell Heaven from Hell?

sure. hell won't let you in with your dog.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (Cjt/F)

131 We should work out a century-long lease or something, on just the parts of the island we need.

Gitmo North

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (CISbh)

Greenland can declare independence, like Iceland did, and then do whatever they want.

It's a big island with only 30,000 people.
Plenty of room for a few bases and some mining camps.

They could use an infusion of dollars to help build their country.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (6ydKt)

132 And it needs to end. They should get a 401k (or equivalent) like the rest of us.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic

======

With the only investment options being companies tied primarily to the US market

Posted by: 2009Refugee at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (8AONa)

133 But of course she does

@nypost 1h
Mom of Zohran Mamdani aide who said owning a home fuels ‘white supremacy’ has $1.6M house in Tennessee

Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (mlg/3)

134
119 Head down to Florida and you will see thousands of retired public workers in their 50s living on great pensions with great insurance, all paid for by the taxpayers.
Posted by: JackStraw

And in their second Primary residences.
Posted by: Miklos casts many aspersions at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (f/3mU

This is commonplace. A person can do 20 years in PD or military, then a 20 in say the Post office.

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (pDt9x)

135 20 I understand that anyone can write a bill. How easy it would be to write a bill stating that any public official charged with a felony loses all pension and benefits by breaching the public trust.
Posted by: Ben Had

That's crazy talk.

Posted by: GOPe at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (abIsI)

136 There are very few public companies that still offer pensions. It is becoming a perk of the government only.
Posted by: JackStraw

401k matching.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (/lPRQ)

137 And yet, how many times has Iran been about to fall. My guess is ace is keeping his powder dry for now rather than being David French and his wife snatching the 'football' away again.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (zZu0s)
---
Obama won't be sending pallets of cash to them this time.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:07 PM (ZOv7s)

138 With the only investment options being companies tied primarily to the US market
Posted by: 2009Refugee at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (8AONa)

With the only investment options being funds managed by people not working for the government made up of companies tied primarily to the US market.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:07 PM (ExV1e)

139 If I make too much money they can cut my SS payments. But you can stack government pensions.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (KDPiq)

140 My ex wife's uncle was a retired at twenty city cop with pension, put in enough time with the US Capitol Cops (before they killed innocent women) to get another pension, was a dedicated Air Force reservist that got him some money in his sixties, and always moonlighted enough to get a fair amount of Social Security.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (gm9Sb)

141 401k matching.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (/lPRQ)

Some of that has gone away for private sector folks although I don't know if that's a temporary thing.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (ExV1e)

142 117 I read yesterday that the Ayatollah is planning on bugging out to Russia. Don't know of that's true.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair

IRRC, The Councils are the groups to watch. They have all of the power. The Supreme Leader is just their elected monkey.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 07:03 PM (mlg/3)

But the IRGC is the military force supporting the regime, and they are reportedly falling, and being kicked out of Tehran, according to reports I'm seeing. Police there joining the Revolution. And yes, the Supreme Leader bugging out to Russia.

This is probably the last piece in the puzzle to make peace in the Middle East a reality. Something probably damn near everybody said could never be done.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (hOOi9)

143 Bolsheviks want Marxism for the masses, not themselves

Posted by: Skip at January 06, 2026 07:09 PM (Ia/+0)

144 While her acts were technically criminal, they were the type of acts that no sane or rational prosecutor should pursue,

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions

==============

Is Comey posting there?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:04 PM (AV9Wq)

The judge sneaking the defendant out the back during a trial so they can escape.

It's so monstrously absurd I can actually believe there isn't a specific law against it.

But there's got to be something about a judge directly tampering with a trial. It's probably on like page 2 of Judge Law or something.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 06, 2026 07:09 PM (06Hmj)

145 Contributed 16% of my paycheck. Company matched up to 8 1/2%. Very nice indeed.

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:09 PM (pDt9x)

146 This is commonplace. A person can do 20 years in PD or military, then a 20 in say the Post office.
Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (pDt9x)
---
Military no longer requires 20 years, hasn't for a while, and it's 401k style. Maybe deep blue states still have defined benefit plans, but I think most states are defined contribution. My municipality is like that as well. All 401ks for everyone. They levied a tax specifically to retire the pension liability and that will sunset in four years.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:09 PM (ZOv7s)

147 My ex wife's uncle was a retired at twenty city cop with pension, put in enough time with the US Capitol Cops (before they killed innocent women) to get another pension, was a dedicated Air Force reservist that got him some money in his sixties, and always moonlighted enough to get a fair amount of Social Security.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (gm9Sb)

My BIL has 3 pensions all paid for by the US taxpayer somehow.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:09 PM (ExV1e)

148 * shit, I meant law schools.
Derp

Posted by: weft cut-loop at January 06, 2026 07:10 PM (mlg/3)

149
Make Marco Beastmaster of Greenland and put him to work breeding Super Puffins to go to war with Big Penguin.

The time will come, and we need to be ready for that Battle Royale.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM} at January 06, 2026 07:10 PM (CISbh)

150 141 401k matching.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (/lPRQ)

Some of that has gone away for private sector folks although I don't know if that's a temporary thing.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:08 PM (ExV1e)

It's just not in the budget this year, nor are cost of living adjustments. Congratulations on generating record profits for FY 2025 though.

Posted by: CEO from his yacht at January 06, 2026 07:10 PM (TbWk/)

151 I want to send the Iranian protestors my strategic reserve of empty wine bottles. Molotov cocktails seem to be the largest defense they have at this point.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 07:11 PM (sDNVV)

152 This is commonplace. A person can do 20 years in PD or military, then a 20 in say the Post office.

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:06 PM (pDt9x)

Then work a ton of overtime in the last several years to inflate their final salaries which the pensions based on in order to turn millionaire status with med insurance + Social Security + Medicare.

Or do government retirees get to keep SS?
I'm not sure if that's the case everywhere for every employee.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:11 PM (6ydKt)

153
There just has to be someone out there who's done a photoshop of Rubio as King Conan...

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 06, 2026 07:11 PM (y9nCu)

154 Marco has too much time on his hands. He should take up a hobby like model railroading. Give him Amtrak.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 06, 2026 07:11 PM (gm9Sb)

155
Next to fall after Greenland, Coober.
Is it true that Cuban cigars are rolled on the bellies of virgins?
Posted by: Maj. Healey

Their inner thigh. I got this from LTG Morrie Boyd, GEN Tommy Frank's executive officer and deputy commander of CENTCOM.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 06, 2026 07:12 PM (QVmho)

156 so you'd think that evil regime falling would catch a little attention here, is all.
Posted by: MrExcitement
__________

Put us a link. I'm not finding anything saying some kind of breaking point was reached today.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 06, 2026 07:12 PM (XvL8K)

157 I'm imagining a concept you could almost call "meta-law".

The people who are tasked with upholding the law can't only be beholden to the exact same law as everyone else, and the law that they themselves uphold.

If you are contributing, or even actively working, towards the erosion of accountability and justice while you hold a position expressly dedicated to accountability and justice, and also thereby given power over your fellow citizens that they can't possibly wield over you in return... then....

I don't know. It's an ugly topic.

Maybe it needs to be dealt with a little more explicitly. Maybe it is and nobody cares.
-----

You're not wrong. That's the entire point of the adage of "Avoid even the *appearance* of wrong-doing". You can't lead if people think you *only* lead and don't follow the same rules you put in place for others. Its one of the reasons that evil like the Clintons and Bernie Sanders and the Bidens is so unattractive--because we know damn well they'd imprison someone for an overdue library book while having their own hands covered in blood.

Posted by: Crusader, former Federal Bank Examiner at January 06, 2026 07:12 PM (TN0g+)

158 "If I make too much money they can cut my SS payments. But you can stack government pensions.
Posted by: Opinion fact"

Sometimes they even want you to give some back.

Posted by: fd at January 06, 2026 07:13 PM (vFG9F)

159 The whole "Greenland" thing is interesting. It's a strategic piece of property.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 06, 2026 07:13 PM (NwnyJ)

160 Or do government retirees get to keep SS?

That appears to depend on what government retirement system they have. Pension - no. 401k-style - yes. Which seems fair.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:14 PM (ExV1e)

161 159 The whole "Greenland" thing is interesting. It's a strategic piece of property.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 06, 2026 07:13 PM (NwnyJ)

Don't want to be unemployed there

Posted by: Fezzik at January 06, 2026 07:14 PM (TbWk/)

162 159 The whole "Greenland" thing is interesting. It's a strategic piece of property.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 06, 2026 07:13 PM (NwnyJ)

Just a big old Guam, eh?

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:14 PM (pDt9x)

163 Next to fall after Greenland, Coober.
Is it true that Cuban cigars are rolled on the bellies of virgins?
Posted by: Maj. Healey

Their inner thigh. I got this from LTG Morrie Boyd, GEN Tommy Frank's executive officer and deputy commander of CENTCOM.
Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 06, 2026 07:12 PM (QVmho)

Inner thigh? Rolling them? Now you tell me. -- Monica Lewinsky

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (ExV1e)

164 I knew a fella who did 20 years in the Air Force and then another 20 years in the post office and the week he set to retire for good he fell down at home and was dead a week later. I had a drink with him before all this happened and he was so excited about finally getting done with working.

Gotta know when to quit.

Posted by: Timing Is Everything at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (R/m4+)

165 And yet, how many times has Iran been about to fall. My guess is ace is keeping his powder dry for now rather than being David French and his wife snatching the 'football' away again.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at January 06, 2026 07:05 PM (zZu0s)

I was commenting in an earlier thread, that I've been watching video updates on Iran on the X platform, and every night for the last 9 nights has looked like a Time of Landru in every city in Iran. There's no coordinated rebellion yet, but it's clear that the government has completely lost control of the streets in over 70 cities, and now the protestors are starting to show up with weapons. (captured, smuggled in, who knows)

Something has to break - ordinarily we'd expect the military to stage a massive counterattack, but so far (except for sporadic local violence with security members) it seems as if they are just sitting it out in their barracks. Not a sign of great confidence in the government.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (uWKK8)

166
401k matching.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher
=====
Some of that has gone away for private sector folks although I don't know if that's a temporary thing.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic
=====
The frugal mic cocksuckers i work for will do $1 for $1 matching of 50% of the first 8%. WTF, could they not simple say 4% and fuck you?

Coincidentally, today i learned that I have reached my retirement goal of 110% of my gross earnings annually for rerirement. but i only have 5% of that left after paying medical.

*types deletes*

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (QVmho)

167 Something has to break - ordinarily we'd expect the military to stage a massive counterattack, but so far (except for sporadic local violence with security members) it seems as if they are just sitting it out in their barracks. Not a sign of great confidence in the government.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (uWKK

---
Probably waiting to see if anyone rides to the rescue. China has lots of internal problems and Russia couldn't even save Assad's regime.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (ZOv7s)

168 She needs that pension. Even in Wisconsin, she's too fat to work the pole.

Posted by: Pussy Kat Lounge at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (oftw2)

169 Something has to break - ordinarily we'd expect the military to stage a massive counterattack, but so far (except for sporadic local violence with security members) it seems as if they are just sitting it out in their barracks. Not a sign of great confidence in the government.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (uWKK

Maybe they heard what Trump said about consequences.

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (t0Out)

170 Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:15 PM (uWKK

Have to go for the head of the snake.

Posted by: Opinion fact at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (KDPiq)

171 Play The Immigrant Song when Rubio speaks.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (YlWIZ)

172 If you are contributing, or even actively working, towards the erosion of accountability and justice while you hold a position expressly dedicated to accountability and justice, and also thereby given power over your fellow citizens that they can't possibly wield over you in return... then....

Posted by: Warai-otoko
=====
The Rule of Law principle in English law written into the Magna Carta had the idea that even a king must obey the ancient laws and customs of England. Granted nobles forced the Magna Carta down John's throat and he rebelled later against it, but the Magna Carta kept being agreed to by later Kings and put into statute form.

So you are restating firm principles of our Founding in proposing the meta law--that would be that the law and Constitution constrain all of us and violating those means authority given to that official is no longer valid. Thus, they can be punished severely because they breached the basic organizing principle of the Rule of Law as expressed in the Constitutions of the US (states as well). These officials can only negate their own authority, not rewrite the Constitution unilaterally to benefit themselves.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:18 PM (WDjG6)

173 Maybe they heard what Trump said about consequences.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (t0Out)
---
The US pretty much owns the skies over Iran at this point.

And they know it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:18 PM (ZOv7s)

174 Coincidentally, today i learned that I have reached my retirement goal of 110% of my gross earnings annually for rerirement. but i only have 5% of that left after paying medical.

What are you paying for medical? That sounds like an awful lot.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:19 PM (ExV1e)

175 Watching the protests and I'm thinking these people need some coordination.

The city of Abadan has fallen to the protestors and the security officials have fled.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 07:19 PM (sDNVV)

176 Judges graduated from the same liberal law schools as the liberal lawyers.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ bing! at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (Puq9y)

177 167 Something has to break - ordinarily we'd expect the military to stage a massive counterattack, but so far (except for sporadic local violence with security members) it seems as if they are just sitting it out in their barracks. Not a sign of great confidence in the government.
Posted by: Tom Servo
=========
I think the mullahs are scared to call out the regular army because it might side with the protesters. Remember the Soviet Union coup where they sent troops to attack the Russian Duma? And it resulted in the troops joining Yeltsin and Co.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (WDjG6)

178 Reports of police forces joining protesters in Abdanan, Ilam/Based on published field accounts, during the protests in Abdanan, Ilam, signs of some police forces joining the protesters have been seen.

Translation of tweet here, with video:

https://tinyurl.com/bdfj8c5p
(LiveIranNews on X)

If that's true and the police are joining in then they are really having some major problems in Tehran.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (6ydKt)

179
Viceroy of Greenland?
Posted by: Boss Moss

Marlboro of Marlborough

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (pkeXY)

180 Play The Immigrant Song when Rubio speaks.
Posted by: Hokey Pokey at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (YlWIZ)
---
One of the China channels that I watch used the clip of Rubio saying "Trump means what he says" and reportedly Beijing is now a city of fear.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (ZOv7s)

181 A plethora of cash and boner pills. South Florida.

Posted by: tubal at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (pDt9x)

182 Just over 12 inches of snow at 1:00 this afternoon and it is still falling. The dogs are frolicking. DH not so much.

Posted by: tcn in AK at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (6Bc88)

183 Judges graduated from the same liberal law schools as the liberal lawyers.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ bing! at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (Puq9y)

And the liberal legislators. And most of the 'conservative' legislators. And a bunch of the senior bureaucrats.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (ExV1e)

184
They could use an infusion of dollars to help build their country.
Posted by: SpeakingOf

============

I wonder if they have any nice hot springs.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (AV9Wq)

185 I think the mullahs are scared to call out the regular army because it might side with the protesters. Remember the Soviet Union coup where they sent troops to attack the Russian Duma? And it resulted in the troops joining Yeltsin and Co.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (WDjG6)
---
Romania's army joined the protestors as well.

I mean Hungary's army fought in 1956, but they were overwhelmed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:22 PM (ZOv7s)

186
Speaking of public servants, I'm reposting this thing that I thought might be parody. It seems not.

https://x.com/Liban4congress/status/
2008297537200177573

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:22 PM (AV9Wq)

187 If that's true and the police are joining in then they are really having some major problems in Tehran.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (6ydKt)

In pre-Napoleon III France, once the Civil guard decided to side with the street protesters, the rebellion was decided against the government. Which is why Napoleon III got rid of the Civil guard, by the way.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 07:23 PM (rbvCR)

188

Coincidentally, today i learned that I have reached my retirement goal of 110% of my gross earnings annually for rerirement. but i only have 5% of that left after paying medical.
What are you paying for medical? That sounds like an awful lot.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

For damn sure it isn't 95% of my gross today. So i gotta go be asshoe somewhere.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at January 06, 2026 07:23 PM (QVmho)

189 175 Watching the protests and I'm thinking these people need some coordination.

The city of Abadan has fallen to the protestors and the security officials have fled.
Posted by: Ben Had
======
Uncoordinated has its advantages--the leaders are faceless and anonymous getting leadership only by situation, not title. That makes it really hard to repress. Whack a mole with each reprisal pissing off even more people. They killed three kids reportedly which is going to add to the fury.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:23 PM (WDjG6)

190 Police at a station in Tehran seen standing on the roof encouraging protestors.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 07:24 PM (sDNVV)

191 Nood. Cafe.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 06, 2026 07:24 PM (ExV1e)

192 nood

cafe

Posted by: banana Dream at January 06, 2026 07:24 PM (3uBP9)

193 182 Just over 12 inches of snow at 1:00 this afternoon and it is still falling. The dogs are frolicking. DH not so much.
Posted by: tcn in AK
=========
I would hibernate the entire winter in Alaska. Like a bear.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (WDjG6)

194 Is it true that Cuban cigars are rolled on the bellies of virgins?

In the movie “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, by Ray Bradbury, Mr. Tetley (played by Jack Dengel) is the cigar store owner who is obsessed with lottery tickets and winning it big so he won’t have to work. Just sit back and smoke the fanciest cigars that are, to use his exact words, “rolled on the thighs of beautiful Cuban women”.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (MjXxC)

195 184
They could use an infusion of dollars to help build their country.
Posted by: SpeakingOf

============

I wonder if they have any nice hot springs.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:21 PM (AV9Wq)

Probably, but I've got no clue.

The only time I've really seen any of Greenland is from that movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

It looked quite nice in the parts in the film.
Cold, but beautiful, like Alaska kinda.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (6ydKt)

196 In pre-Napoleon III France, once the Civil guard decided to side with the street protesters, the rebellion was decided against the government. Which is why Napoleon III got rid of the Civil guard, by the way.
Posted by: Kindltot at January 06, 2026 07:23 PM (rbvCR)
---
Spain's Civil Guard moved around to keep it from getting too close to the locals. When the July Rising happened, it split pretty much along the lines of which side the Army backed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (ZOv7s)

197 I think the mullahs are scared to call out the regular army because it might side with the protesters. Remember the Soviet Union coup where they sent troops to attack the Russian Duma? And it resulted in the troops joining Yeltsin and Co.

Posted by: whig at January 06, 2026 07:20 PM (WDjG6)

And I've been thinking of Romania, December 1989. Internal Security was shooting protestors but was losing ground so Ceausescu called the military out - but the military switched sides and started shooting all of the Internal Security members. (they had always hated each other, Ceausescu forgot about that)

Best part of all was when they grabbed Ceaucescu and his wife and gave him his own TV special in a courtyard with a machine gun. I gotta say their Christmas special that year had a real satisfying ending.

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (uWKK8)

198
@nypost 1h
Mom of Zohran Mamdani aide who said owning a home fuels ‘white supremacy’ has $1.6M house in Tennessee
Posted by: weft cut-loop

Eric Adams's comment on the aide's remarks:

'You have to be completely out of your f****ing mind to call that “white supremacy.”'

I wish he'd talked that way when he was Mayor.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 06, 2026 07:26 PM (AV9Wq)

199 Put us a link. I'm not finding anything saying some kind of breaking point was reached today.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 06, 2026 07:12 PM (XvL8K)

I guess it's pretty much all on something called "TOUSi TV", but I think I saw something in a Trump "truth" about him warning the regime not to fire on peaceful protestors. So I don't know if this is some kind of propaganda outlet, which is why I thought I would run it by you guys. Clearly SOMETHING is going on, for Trump to say something. It'd be great if it's true, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was.

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:27 PM (hOOi9)

200 Breaking911 @Breaking911

TRUMP: I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

X: https://bit.ly/4qbZvmt

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 06, 2026 07:28 PM (P5BPp)

201 Too late for a Romanian Christmas, but maybe we can get a Happy New Year in both Iran and Venezuela!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at January 06, 2026 07:29 PM (MjXxC)

202 And then I find out:

The 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, starring and directed by Ben Stiller, features scenes set in Greenland, but these were not filmed on location in Greenland. Instead, Icelandic towns such as Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Höfn in southeast Iceland were used to portray Greenlandic locations, including the capital Nuuk. The film's Greenland scenes, which include a scene at an airport and a helicopter flight, were shot entirely in Iceland, leveraging its dramatic landscapes to stand in for the Arctic country. This creative choice was confirmed by local media and film experts, who noted that the Icelandic towns were adapted to resemble Greenland, with Stykkishólmur even being painted black to match the film’s aesthetic.

So, no BM, I don't know anything about Greenland, apparently.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at January 06, 2026 07:30 PM (6ydKt)

203 Cafe is open

Posted by: Ben Had at January 06, 2026 07:31 PM (sDNVV)

204 >>> but stripping away someone's retirement means basically sentencing them to poverty.
-------------

They used to execute communists and conspirators.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ bing! at January 06, 2026 07:32 PM (Puq9y)

205 Brave has updated its spell check. Now, it gets nothing correct.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ bing! at January 06, 2026 07:32 PM (Puq9y)

206 TV interview, Steven Miller called Jake Snapper smarmy.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ bing! at January 06, 2026 07:35 PM (Puq9y)

207 I think Trump should trade New York for Greenland.

How about $42 in Beads and Trinkets?
Posted by: garrett at January 06, 2026 06:52 PM (ddphe)

Made a cool profit!

Posted by: Oldcat at January 06, 2026 07:38 PM (8avO+)

208 recommend routine vaccination for all children against 11 diseases and the shot schedule to be something less than the current 80 shots.
Haven't heard much about this yet, I expect the MFM hasn't been told what to conclude yet.
Posted by: Kindltot

NPR was caterwauling about it yesterday !!!

Posted by: Martha's Vinyard Refugee Welcoming Committee . . . at January 06, 2026 07:40 PM (3ZUWJ)

209 I guess it's pretty much all on something called "TOUSi TV", but I think I saw something in a Trump "truth" about him warning the regime not to fire on peaceful protestors. So I don't know if this is some kind of propaganda outlet, which is why I thought I would run it by you guys. Clearly SOMETHING is going on, for Trump to say something. It'd be great if it's true, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was.
Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:27 PM (hOOi9)

Tousi has been absolutely reliable in covering UK politics for some years now. And he's ethnically Iranian so might have some good sources.

Posted by: Oldcat at January 06, 2026 07:41 PM (8avO+)

210 And I've been thinking of Romania, December 1989. Internal Security was shooting protestors but was losing ground so Ceausescu called the military out - but the military switched sides and started shooting all of the Internal Security members. (they had always hated each other, Ceausescu forgot about that)

Best part of all was when they grabbed Ceaucescu and his wife and gave him his own TV special in a courtyard with a machine gun. I gotta say their Christmas special that year had a real satisfying ending.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 06, 2026 07:25 PM (uWKK

The usual trick was having your security be some outlanders in the home areas and vice versa to avoid that.

Posted by: Oldcat at January 06, 2026 07:42 PM (8avO+)

211 Probably waiting to see if anyone rides to the rescue. China has lots of internal problems and Russia couldn't even save Assad's regime.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 06, 2026 07:17 PM (ZOv7s)

Think Putin was getting tired of the region by that time. The idea of the Syria base was to provide gas via pipeline to Italy and other countries. Now they have other plans and Europe is in the back of the bus.

Posted by: Oldcat at January 06, 2026 07:47 PM (8avO+)

212 She was convicted by a jury of a felony that she clearly, on camera, committed. She is required, BY LAW, to leave the bench.

Most people in that circumstance wouldn't think it was a good opportunity to lecture US about the law. The complex challenge to the judge's independence is judges deciding to blatantly disregard the law for political reasons. SHE and other like her are the challenge to judicial independence, personified. Because they disregard the plain letter of the law to make their own decisions.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at January 06, 2026 07:51 PM (s/0Zp)

213 One of the many insane things about the Maduro snatch was the 32 Cuban mercenaries were killed, and one American was lightly wounded.

Which goes to show that Cuban mercs are only good for scaring women and children.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at January 06, 2026 07:54 PM (s/0Zp)

214 Tousi has been absolutely reliable in covering UK politics for some years now. And he's ethnically Iranian so might have some good sources.
Posted by: Oldcat at January 06, 2026 07:41 PM (8avO+)

Glad to hear it, thanks!

Posted by: MrExcitement at January 06, 2026 07:55 PM (hOOi9)

215 The Governor General of Cuba is spreading himself a bit thin. The man must never sleep.

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 06, 2026 08:08 PM (jc0TO)

216 Marco for president.

Posted by: Oakeshott at January 06, 2026 08:25 PM (7NzYL)

217 Resign and retire to Prison or at least to a Nut House

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at January 07, 2026 05:18 PM (wGqjj)

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