Sam Brunson
@smbrnsn.bsky.social
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Georgia Reithal Professor Law, Loyola University Chicago. Lots of taxes, jazz, cooking, and cats. Author "God and the IRS: Accommodating Religious Practice in United States Tax Law"
Pinned
Sam Brunson
@smbrnsn.bsky.social
· Dec 11
Okay, it's not the Black Friday 50% off, but if you wanted my book, think its sticker price is too expensive, but missed the Black Friday sale, you can still get it for 40% off! www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
Reposted by Sam Brunson
Le thankfully gives the right answer to the question, para., "You don't think this compliance, do you?" BUT THEN she proceeds to blame all of this on trouble with her email inbox.
The right thing to do here is say "Your Honor, I take full responsibility. I can explain how it happened if you want."
The right thing to do here is say "Your Honor, I take full responsibility. I can explain how it happened if you want."
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Le thankfully gives the right answer to the question, para., "You don't think this compliance, do you?" BUT THEN she proceeds to blame all of this on trouble with her email inbox.
The right thing to do here is say "Your Honor, I take full responsibility. I can explain how it happened if you want."
The right thing to do here is say "Your Honor, I take full responsibility. I can explain how it happened if you want."
I thought about screenshotting, but I would just screenshot everything the judge says for the first 12 pages.
If you want to read the transcript of the February 3 hearing where Julie Le had her "this job sucks" meltdown, now you can:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 5, 2026 at 5:16 AM
I thought about screenshotting, but I would just screenshot everything the judge says for the first 12 pages.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
I understand folks are scared but I want you to think about the mechanics of this.
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
i think people should consider the extent to which bannon, a known bullshit artist, knows that you will see this and panic. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Steve Bannon says ICE will ‘surround the polls’ as Trump doubles down on taking over elections
Trump doubled down on his comments to nationalize voting Tuesday during an Oval Office press conference. “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections,” Trump sai...
www.democracydocket.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:04 AM
I understand folks are scared but I want you to think about the mechanics of this.
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
Reposted by Sam Brunson
My expectation for this is they'll make a big show of rolling out the goon squad outside a handful of locations, the states will seek and likely get emergency injunctions, and meanwhile the whole spectacle will only motivate way more people to show up and vote in defiance than are scared away.
I understand folks are scared but I want you to think about the mechanics of this.
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
i think people should consider the extent to which bannon, a known bullshit artist, knows that you will see this and panic. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
February 5, 2026 at 5:04 AM
My expectation for this is they'll make a big show of rolling out the goon squad outside a handful of locations, the states will seek and likely get emergency injunctions, and meanwhile the whole spectacle will only motivate way more people to show up and vote in defiance than are scared away.
Currently watching the Muppet Show a second time with my wife.
Daughter has to do homework, so I’ll watch a third time with her later.
Daughter has to do homework, so I’ll watch a third time with her later.
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Currently watching the Muppet Show a second time with my wife.
Daughter has to do homework, so I’ll watch a third time with her later.
Daughter has to do homework, so I’ll watch a third time with her later.
We visit friends there often in the middle of winter. (We can’t control when it where climbing competitions happen!)
Even at their coldest, the Twin Cities are worth visiting.
Even at their coldest, the Twin Cities are worth visiting.
Axios had a story today about how hard Minnesota’s economy is being hit and how slow the recovery could be. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to say that if you want to support the Twin Cities, you should plan a visit for this summer, spend some money here, & see how amazing it is for yourself.
February 5, 2026 at 4:09 AM
We visit friends there often in the middle of winter. (We can’t control when it where climbing competitions happen!)
Even at their coldest, the Twin Cities are worth visiting.
Even at their coldest, the Twin Cities are worth visiting.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
Oh my gosh. The World Factbook was my first stop in high school and college when I needed background info on a country.
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Oh my gosh. The World Factbook was my first stop in high school and college when I needed background info on a country.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
Early in his career, William Randolph Hearst famously joked that if his papers kept losing $1 million a year, he'd lose all his money in 60 years. If the Post continues to lose $100 million a year, it will take Jeff Bezos 2000 years to lose his money.
February 5, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Early in his career, William Randolph Hearst famously joked that if his papers kept losing $1 million a year, he'd lose all his money in 60 years. If the Post continues to lose $100 million a year, it will take Jeff Bezos 2000 years to lose his money.
I know it’s popular to hate on Schumer. And it seems like his social media presence is intended to drive that hate.
But these demands are a pretty good place to start, especially for the party out of power.
But these demands are a pretty good place to start, especially for the party out of power.
Schumer & Jeffries lay out the Democratic demands for a DHS funding deal in a letter to the top Republican leaders
February 5, 2026 at 3:40 AM
I know it’s popular to hate on Schumer. And it seems like his social media presence is intended to drive that hate.
But these demands are a pretty good place to start, especially for the party out of power.
But these demands are a pretty good place to start, especially for the party out of power.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
much depends on legislative language but if you want to put some sand in the gears of ICE this is what it would look like
February 5, 2026 at 3:19 AM
much depends on legislative language but if you want to put some sand in the gears of ICE this is what it would look like
Reposted by Sam Brunson
in real terms, #7 would give states leverage to put an end to surges, #8 would give states the ability to outright stop construction of new detention facilities, #1 and #6 would slow the rate at which DHS could train and deploy officers, #2 and #10 would likely shrink the pool of recruits
Schumer & Jeffries lay out the Democratic demands for a DHS funding deal in a letter to the top Republican leaders
February 5, 2026 at 3:18 AM
in real terms, #7 would give states leverage to put an end to surges, #8 would give states the ability to outright stop construction of new detention facilities, #1 and #6 would slow the rate at which DHS could train and deploy officers, #2 and #10 would likely shrink the pool of recruits
There is literally no way to choose, but if I absolutely had to choose, probably Rowlf. (I’d love it to be a member of the Electric Mayhem, but other than Animal they’re not really developed enough.)
You can tell a lot about a person by what their favorite muppet is. So tell me: who’s yours?
February 5, 2026 at 3:37 AM
There is literally no way to choose, but if I absolutely had to choose, probably Rowlf. (I’d love it to be a member of the Electric Mayhem, but other than Animal they’re not really developed enough.)
Reposted by Sam Brunson
Reposted by Sam Brunson
sneaking around the neighborhood at night, slapping stickers that say "I bought this after Elon begged to go to the wildest party at Pedophile Island" on every last Tesla I find
February 4, 2026 at 10:12 PM
sneaking around the neighborhood at night, slapping stickers that say "I bought this after Elon begged to go to the wildest party at Pedophile Island" on every last Tesla I find
Reposted by Sam Brunson
First session at every academic conference should be at a Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Buster's; game tickets you win get redeemed for total minutes you're allowed to speak at panels
Academic conferences should let me do all of the planning.
All panels should also be held on the Chocolate Tour ride.
February 5, 2026 at 3:30 AM
First session at every academic conference should be at a Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Buster's; game tickets you win get redeemed for total minutes you're allowed to speak at panels
Reposted by Sam Brunson
I think I like The Muppet Movie a smidge better but The Great Muppet Caper is probably the most quoted Muppet thing in my family. It has so many great lines! Well, maybe not great, but "I got some paper towels!" always gets a laugh.
February 5, 2026 at 3:27 AM
I think I like The Muppet Movie a smidge better but The Great Muppet Caper is probably the most quoted Muppet thing in my family. It has so many great lines! Well, maybe not great, but "I got some paper towels!" always gets a laugh.
Taking as a given that Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably the most perfect movie ever made, Great Muppet Caper is probably my favorite Jim Henson-era Muppet movie.
I don't know if it's objectively the best, but we taped it off of a tv broadcast, and it's definitely the one I watched most as a kid.
I don't know if it's objectively the best, but we taped it off of a tv broadcast, and it's definitely the one I watched most as a kid.
So I LOVE the Muppets. I grew up watching it. The movies are my favorite. I remember when Jim Henson died.
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching ABC tonight at 8:00 Central.
February 5, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Taking as a given that Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably the most perfect movie ever made, Great Muppet Caper is probably my favorite Jim Henson-era Muppet movie.
I don't know if it's objectively the best, but we taped it off of a tv broadcast, and it's definitely the one I watched most as a kid.
I don't know if it's objectively the best, but we taped it off of a tv broadcast, and it's definitely the one I watched most as a kid.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
YES. I was worried Carpenter would be… I dunno, too edgy for the Muppets? Probably marks me as a prude (I am), but that’s also just not the vibe I want from the Muppets.
She was SO GOOD in this show.
She was SO GOOD in this show.
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 AM
YES. I was worried Carpenter would be… I dunno, too edgy for the Muppets? Probably marks me as a prude (I am), but that’s also just not the vibe I want from the Muppets.
She was SO GOOD in this show.
She was SO GOOD in this show.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
6:30 pm on Saturday nights life in my childhood home stopped so I could watch The Muppet Show. I blame Statler and Waldorf for my sense of humor.
February 5, 2026 at 3:13 AM
6:30 pm on Saturday nights life in my childhood home stopped so I could watch The Muppet Show. I blame Statler and Waldorf for my sense of humor.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
My only substantial grievance with the new Muppet special was the way they were presented as “Disney’s Muppets.”
Those are JIM HENSON’S little creatures, you corporate fiends!
Those are JIM HENSON’S little creatures, you corporate fiends!
So I LOVE the Muppets. I grew up watching it. The movies are my favorite. I remember when Jim Henson died.
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching ABC tonight at 8:00 Central.
February 5, 2026 at 3:11 AM
My only substantial grievance with the new Muppet special was the way they were presented as “Disney’s Muppets.”
Those are JIM HENSON’S little creatures, you corporate fiends!
Those are JIM HENSON’S little creatures, you corporate fiends!
(Also, as a non-Sabrina Carpenter fan, I admit that I'm now sold on her.)
So I LOVE the Muppets. I grew up watching it. The movies are my favorite. I remember when Jim Henson died.
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching ABC tonight at 8:00 Central.
February 5, 2026 at 2:59 AM
(Also, as a non-Sabrina Carpenter fan, I admit that I'm now sold on her.)
So I LOVE the Muppets. I grew up watching it. The movies are my favorite. I remember when Jim Henson died.
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching ABC tonight at 8:00 Central.
a row of sesame street characters are lined up on a shelf
ALT: a row of sesame street characters are lined up on a shelf
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:53 AM
So I LOVE the Muppets. I grew up watching it. The movies are my favorite. I remember when Jim Henson died.
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
I tried to watch the last Office-style Muppets and the Electric Mayhem, but just couldn't.
But I will watch the hell out of this new show if they keep making it. 100% return to form. 1/
This is almost literally the plot of Season 2 of Man on the Inside.
(Also, it goes without saying, but Ted Danson is a national treasure.)
(Also, it goes without saying, but Ted Danson is a national treasure.)
As more academic names keep coming up in the Epstein files, I keep thinking about this NYT interview with the Bard president from a few years ago, and wondering how many people were rationalizing in similar ways.
www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/u...
February 5, 2026 at 12:15 AM
This is almost literally the plot of Season 2 of Man on the Inside.
(Also, it goes without saying, but Ted Danson is a national treasure.)
(Also, it goes without saying, but Ted Danson is a national treasure.)
Reposted by Sam Brunson
not nearly enough poasting about this. My kids may be growed up but I'm gonna watch, for nostalgia if nothing else. Things like this sorely needed these days.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching ABC tonight at 8:00 Central.
a row of sesame street characters are lined up on a shelf
ALT: a row of sesame street characters are lined up on a shelf
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:13 AM
not nearly enough poasting about this. My kids may be growed up but I'm gonna watch, for nostalgia if nothing else. Things like this sorely needed these days.
Reposted by Sam Brunson
JUST IN: 2 school systems in MN file suit to block ICE enforcement near schools. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
#1 in Fridley Public School District, Independent School District 14 v. Noem (D. Minnesota, 0:26-cv-01023) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against All Defendants (filing fee $ 405, receipt number AMNDC-12627493) filed by Education Minnesota, Duluth Public School District, Independent School District 709, Fridley Public School D...
storage.courtlistener.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:48 PM
JUST IN: 2 school systems in MN file suit to block ICE enforcement near schools. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...