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| "Char Dolly" by Parsons & Charlesworth (Chicago Cultural Center) |
Sure I'm in the Epstein files. Big city columnist, jiggling the ice in my glass aboard the Hollinger corporate jet as it winged its way toward...
Maybe I shouldn't even mention it. But Jon Stewart confessed his cameo in the scandalous files — a tossed-off suggestion that he narrate a documentary being contemplated — and as my lone appearance is similarly benign, perhaps I should.
The risk is that doing so further perfumes this true horror with another spritz of triviality.
What the heck, we're on the topic already. I'm not a fan of trigger warnings. But this subject is so grim without the warm glow of celebrity and euphemism the media habitually slathers over it. I like to be direct. If that might upset you, many interesting articles await elsewhere in the paper.
Jeffrey Epstein was a rich pedophile who raped children, secured for him by his pander, Ghislaine Maxwell, who went around seducing vulnerable girls with tales of money and power. They were debauched by Epstein and a revolving cast of famous pals who no doubt imagined that the girls were consenting. But children can't consent to their own molestation. It's still rape.
Epstein initially got atap on the wrist, until the Miami Herald ran a three-part series in 2018 that sent Epstein back to prison, where he killed himself, most likely.
The Epstein files would not die, however, and became a hobbyhorse of the lunatic right, when they thought the case would besmirch Bill Clinton. When it turned out that their beloved hero was also involved,big time, their interest waned.
My instinct was to pass on the tawdry mess. Who cares if Bill Gates supposedly cheated on his wife? Nothing in the Epstein files could lower my rock bottom opinion of Donald Trump. If you haven't figured him out long ago, you never will.
Only two things are worth observing here, and since I haven't heard either said among the 24/7 media chicken ranch squawking on the subject, I will point them out.
First, evil needs a framework. The ICE and Border Patrol agents who shot Renee Good in the face and put 10 bullets into Alex Pretti would not, I believe, have done so independently, had they strolled out into the street last summer and encountered these two on their own. The federal government first had to hire them, train them, supposedly, outfit them with weapons and, crucially, give them permission to suspend any sense of basic human decency.
Permission is key to hurting others. Bullies are cowards, and must be reassured it's okay. Think. Why would any super rich guy need to visit Jeffrey Epstein? They have their own planes, their own willing assistants who could scour local roller rinks for underage victims. But they didn't do that. They needed Epstein to assure them that is allowed, on his plane or island. He created a setting where they could be as awful as they wanted to be.
The risk is that doing so further perfumes this true horror with another spritz of triviality.
What the heck, we're on the topic already. I'm not a fan of trigger warnings. But this subject is so grim without the warm glow of celebrity and euphemism the media habitually slathers over it. I like to be direct. If that might upset you, many interesting articles await elsewhere in the paper.
Jeffrey Epstein was a rich pedophile who raped children, secured for him by his pander, Ghislaine Maxwell, who went around seducing vulnerable girls with tales of money and power. They were debauched by Epstein and a revolving cast of famous pals who no doubt imagined that the girls were consenting. But children can't consent to their own molestation. It's still rape.
Epstein initially got a
The Epstein files would not die, however, and became a hobbyhorse of the lunatic right, when they thought the case would besmirch Bill Clinton. When it turned out that their beloved hero was also involved,
My instinct was to pass on the tawdry mess. Who cares if Bill Gates supposedly cheated on his wife? Nothing in the Epstein files could lower my rock bottom opinion of Donald Trump. If you haven't figured him out long ago, you never will.
Only two things are worth observing here, and since I haven't heard either said among the 24/7 media chicken ranch squawking on the subject, I will point them out.
First, evil needs a framework. The ICE and Border Patrol agents who shot Renee Good in the face and put 10 bullets into Alex Pretti would not, I believe, have done so independently, had they strolled out into the street last summer and encountered these two on their own. The federal government first had to hire them, train them, supposedly, outfit them with weapons and, crucially, give them permission to suspend any sense of basic human decency.
Permission is key to hurting others. Bullies are cowards, and must be reassured it's okay. Think. Why would any super rich guy need to visit Jeffrey Epstein? They have their own planes, their own willing assistants who could scour local roller rinks for underage victims. But they didn't do that. They needed Epstein to assure them that is allowed, on his plane or island. He created a setting where they could be as awful as they wanted to be.
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In my mind the person whose harm is most impactful for the good by the release of the Epstein files is Trump. (Given Trump’s musings on a national radio show about Ivanka’s physical attractiveness, his joy in entering the dressing rooms of beauty pageant contestants, and his Access Hollywood comments, it seems likely that he would have gleefully partaken in what Epstein offered) My fear though is that he will likely escape deserved damage unless credible witnesses come forward publicly to describe what he did to them or what they saw him do to others.
ReplyDeleteIs Trump harmed? I don't see it. There could be a video of him raping a child and then hacking her apart with a meat cleaver and I don't think his fan base would falter. They haven't yet.
DeleteThere definitely was video of him raping the children, the problem now is, who has it?
DeleteIt's well known that Epstein had cameras in all the rooms on the island & some of the now adult girls said he had videos of them being raped.
So has that vile sycophant Pam Bondi buried them or had them destroyed, or is she holding on to them to blackmail the Rapist in Chief to keep her job & then get a pardon?
I think this has already created some dissatisfaction among some Republicans. (Massie and Greene come to mind) I don't really care what the hard core MAGAites think as they make up a minority of the voting public. But just as the ICE shootings in MN have reduced Republican standings nationwide, a documented eyewitness account of Trump abusing a youngster would also likely lower support for Republicans.
DeleteJoel : Based on history and current behavior there will never be an eyewitness acceptable to the powers that be or the commoners cults.
DeleteClark st.
DeleteI remember there was " definitely " video of trump being with a woman in Russia . never saw it. You say there is definitely a video of trumb with under aged girls?
Websters defines definitely as without doubt, though it does give probably as a synonym. Maybe or possibly seem more likely. Have you seen this video or any video from eps tines island?
That would be child pornography wouldn't it?
For the sake of the victims. and in keeping with the law we'll never see it. plus they are concealing it
He was found guilty of raping E. Jean Carol and people still support him. anyone and everyone who do, are sub human.
DeleteA very important point that can't be emphasized enough children can't consent.
ReplyDeleteBut, based on actual cases in the last 5 years, an inebreiated, unconscious female can.
DeleteSpot on, Neil.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. We need to do better. We need to hold more of the enablers accountable. Accessory to murder is a crime; I am willing to bet accessory to rape is as well. The fact that it isn't obvious to me, is further proof of the issues.
Tear it all down, like the remnants of the Iroquois Theater.
Except for one thing: They didn't tear it down, despite the 600 deaths that took place there in December of 1903. After the fire, the Iroquois Theatre was cleaned up and rebuilt. It was renamed and reopened in September of 1904. In October 1905, it was renamed again--and remained active for two more decades.
DeleteApparently, nobody gave a thought to how people attending performances might have felt. Would you want to sit in the same balcony where hundreds of patrons were burned or trampled or suffocated to death? Not sure I would. Maybe that's just me. But people came for twenty years. Today, it might be a different story.
The building itself was not demolished until 1925. In 1926, the Oriental Theatre was built on the site...and it still stands. It was renamed the Nederlander Theatre in 2019.
It's been over 120 years since the fire. Even if there's a memorial plaque, most people probably don't know what happened there. Given enough time, horrors fade. If the Orange Order can hold out long enough, and stonewall enough, the Epstein atrocities will fade away. People have short memories. And some new outrage will take the place of the current one. They always do, sure as the spring follows the winter.
You are right, Grizz.
DeleteBut they did eventually tear it down. Too many hauntings I think was one of the reasons given.
Better late than never, but sooner rather than later.
Our time is now.
The college student son of our neighbors tried to molest me when I was 6 years old. We were in their den, watching TV, while our parents played bridge in the other room. I was lucky - I got out of there before he could do more than pull his dick out and come towards me. I told my mother, and a screaming match followed. His parents said I was lying, etc. We all went home. The next day my father built a fence between us, and all around our house. It felt like I was being put in prison for what that prick did. And that still seems to be the attitude of most of America. Well, the girls could be lying. Those men would never have done something like that. And they just manage to ignore it all...
ReplyDeleteA 2020 article on the NPR website details The proven facts of Epstein's horrific crimes.
ReplyDeleteIn 2018 a group of law enforcement officials that had jurisdiction over the islands that included US Marshals was rebuffed and denied upon arrival at Epstein's Island.
2018 would have been during the first Trump administration.
It's very clear that he knew what was going on.
Knew.
There is some evidence that he and other wealthy and powerful men and women either participated in these crimes or were aware of them.
They were involved with him in business and finance and liked to spend time with him. They helped to cover up the crimes that were committed.
Democrats Republicans and people from other parts of the world.
Thank you for living up to your responsibilities as a member of the 4th estate.
Sadly there doesn't seem to be much willingness to bring the people involved to account.
I'm fairly certain this is not going to change
Cowards and permission. With two words you've gone right to the core of this molten mess. Excellent column, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling exceptionally ""dense" today. Exactly what do the Epstein files say about you?
ReplyDeleteNot at all — a number of readers were confused — I added a line at the end to be clear. My review of "Chinglish" being quoted. That was my appearance in the files. Sorry for the confusion.
DeleteThanks.
DeleteSuch a powerful and succinct column! Thank you! From long time reader, Maureen
ReplyDeleteI have seen this notion expressed several times now that bullies are actually cowards.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty to think so. Many powerful people are bullies and it's not like in the movies where you call their bluff or catch them when they're not surrounded by their crew and they back down and expose themselves.
A lot of bullies punch you right in the face and stomp on your head when you're on the ground. Bullies can be very strong and very ruthless do not underestimate someone because they are a bully.
A cop friend of mine said that when someone's pointing a gun at you don't say oh you want to shoot me go ahead .
That'll get you shot.
Nobody wants to respect bullies I'm not suggesting that the notion that you shouldn't fear a bully is misguided.
Bullies run the world they're frightening and dangerous and the people involved with this scandal will do anything to maintain their power.
The prince in England that got caught up in this and lost his title ,bigger bullies caused his downfall.
It's disgusting that elected officials and Titans of industry couldn't be content with their wealth and power and needed to prey upon young women thinking that their actions would be concealed and that they would never be brought to Justice.
I hope that one day more of them will but looking at Hillary and Bill and they're smug disgusting attitude in the face of testifying before Congress just makes you realize the depth of the depravity that some of our leaders stoop to.
And some of our fellow citizens are willing to overlook this behavior and support them. It's just disgusting
There's no proof Bill Clinton went to the island. He did use Epstein's jet to go to various charity events & then Epstein took a tax deduction for the cost of the trip.
DeleteAnd Hillary has done nothing wrong, except to stand by her man, remember, that the title of a huge country song the wing nuts love!
I'm so sick of the Bill Clinton what about-ism. If he's guilty, make him pay.
DeleteBut i do know, regardless of Bill Clinton's degree of involvement Donald John Trump is listed thousands of more times in the Epstein/Trump files than President Clinton. So if you are going to haul Bill and Hill (who I don't think is even listed in the files) to the senate to talk and NOT DJT, then you're worse than the rapist. you're the protector.
I say it every day. Republican's are complicit. Every. Last. One.
And if all you see out of these documents is "Bill Clinton" then you are also the problem.
Neil, this was a much needed follow up to yesterday's post. How anyone can read this and overlook what is happening stuns me. Your reader's comments about Epstein trafficking girls and having videos of men raping them reminds be of the rumors about the felon's Golden Showers. Having witnessed the desperation of young Russian women who were seduced and succumbed to wealthy Americans in Moscow, I will always believe that Putin has videos that are waiting to be used if he doesn't get his way with the Destroyer-in-Chief.
ReplyDeleteThe mention of so many names in the Epstein Files reminds me of "Who's Who in America." When I was a high school student, the librarian always sent us to that "million page" compendium to look up anyone we were curious about. I think it would be interesting if the Epstein documents were made available in libraries for the same purpose. They seem to be the new Who's Who.
Spot on!
ReplyDeleteSo I followed the link to look at Neal‘s one line quote. A Department of Justice webpage pops up and asks in large type. “Are you over 18 years old?“ and offers Yes, and No buttons. I clicked Yes, an honest answer, and the pop-up flashed. “Age verified!“ This is just the kind of deeply researched, age-of-consent analysis that we expect from our current government.
ReplyDeleteI recommend Gene Weingarten's account of finding himself in the files. https://substack.com/home/post/p-187087387
ReplyDelete