Well, that was depressing. That’s not criticism Jack. I know you’re right and it’s terrifying and yes, depressing. I can’t stop thinking about how the survivors must feel tonight. I’m furious but unfortunately not shocked. This is pretty much what I expected. Maybe a little worse but… no… this really is what I feared and expected. I hate when your articles end without hope and this one did. I’m sure I didn’t miss it. Just one question… what is the best course of action from this point to hold them accountable? I know Democrats are talking lawsuit but is that useful? I need something to grab onto here.
It was an honest assessment and I appreciate that even if it’s hard to accept so thank you.
I just finished listening to Glenn Kirschner’s also angry assessment of what Pam Bondi is guilty of (yes, I could feel the anger in your writing) and that was, if possible, every bit as devastating as reading your article. Probably something I should have known but didn’t is that even if Bondi is found to have violated the “Epstein Transparency Act” as she certainly did, there are no consequences. Violating that law carries no punishment… NONE! Not. One. Single. Thing. It’s 100% a law with no teeth. Wonderful! Why even bother creating a law that can be broken without fear of punishment? Had to add this and that Glenn believes the survivors have standing to file lawsuits that could possibly… possibly… prompt a judge to demand an in-camera review of ALL of the files. Did Glenn believe Bondi might violate such an order should it happen? You already know the answer..
Massie and Khanna have said they're 'thinking about' articles of impeachment (against Bondi, I think). I believe they're unserious controlled opposition because if they were going to, they would have had it ready to go as soon as they recognized noncompliance.
Out of 95,000 photos, the Oversight Committee released a handful of speculative pics that suggest much but say little. Dems are complicit/compromised as much as Republicans.
There are many Dems who would love to destroy Trump, undoubtedly, but they also know that to do that, they'd have to burn it all down. I'm convinced that's why Biden, who was basically bulletproof, didn't do more when he still could. At the end of the day, he was a career politician and a company man. Which I guess is kind of understandable except that they're standing by while *Trump* burns it all down anyway. They've now let him go on for so long that it's almost beyond saving some of our institutions at this point. So in that respect, no, I don't understand it and I hold Dems at least partly responsible for those Epstein fiasco.
From The Independent, Oct 31, 2024 (five days before the infamous election where about 65% of eligible voters voted) by Oliver O’Connell, “Trump vows to ‘protect’ women ‘whether the women like it or not’”
He’s simply a jerk through and through, always has been, always will be. Donald Jerk Trump.
He has taken ‘jerk’ to a new level, because with him, jerk is contagious, all those who willingly associate with him quickly become jerks too.
Nothing and no one thrives with him, which brings us to the state of affairs we are now in (distrust of organizations and processes and applications of law).
I feel anger and defiance. Despair let's them win. Never give up. Other crimes have taken years to bring perpetrators to justice. Think what had to happen to reach Oct 1, 1946 Nuremberg Decision.
The weight of all of this- the pain of the young girls, the physical and mental trauma, the actions ( or lack thereof) of the federal government and the efforts to cover this all up - it’s impossible to make sense of it all. My heart is broken for those women. And my trust that this government will take correct, moral action is gone. It’s hard to reconcile this with my idea of who we are and what we stand for. Where is the justice? I am sick over this and every time I hope to see a move toward justice, I am disappointed.
And the charade continues…the song that comes to mind by Bob Dylan-“Love is just a four letter word” and justice is only a set of black lines and squares. It’s not the department of education that needs to end, it’s our department of justice that needs to be redone.
Thank you and I appreciate you Jack, your expertise and thoroughness describing every step of the way.
The victims deserve peace and although accountability isn’t taking place, I believe those who harmed the girls or anyone that there is a greater power, I believe God that judges them and the wicked.
This has been a huge coverup involving both GOP and Dem and now MAGA administrations. I'm 74 and feel like we've been played by all involved over the years. There are no good guys in the Epstein affair. And now the topping on the cake is that we can't even count on the Supreme Court to bring justice to the victims.
Jack, in a way I am glad they finally took off the pretense. Nothing they can do or say now will ever have the ring of truth. It never did. But it put a knife into the heart of his supporters. And this means trump & co truly believe they no longer need their vote. Musk's computers will be working overtime in 2028. There will be elections, they just won't bother to count the votes.
The DNC and the dems who rely on lobbyist favors and AIPAC largess best be shown the door before then, and the voting populace better be damn sure those elected aren't reserving their seat in the Trojan Horse. And they have to damn well fight for us.
I am cynical by nature, and working for most of fifty years as a paralegal in just about every facet of the law (government, criminal, tax, corporate, complex litigation, antitrust, contract, bond, personal injury, malpractice, and probate), hasn't diminished it in the slightest.
But I still believe our nation can be saved. We have one more roll of the dice.
A couple of tidbits came out yesterday that seem to be flying under the radar. First, a woman named Farmer - who was an artist and had been employed by Epstein to help him acquire art - filed a complaint with the FBI in 1996(!!!!) that Epstein was interested in child pornography and had stolen photos and negatives of her very young sisters that she had taken for her own paintings. Nothing ever came of her complaint, she was accused of lying every time she tried to bring it up, and in his sweetheart deal the FBI even said it had no other complaints about him. Except…yesterday they released her complaint in their first document drop.
Next, during one of Florida’s investigations of Epstein and his rape of young girls, Alan Dershowitz filed a friend of the court brief arguing that the age of consent for young girls should be lowered to 14 or 15 years old, thereby paving the way for dropping charges of statutory rape against Epstein.
I was never one to belong to the “burn it all down” group, but this makes me one. We need to burn this patricharchal, heirarchal, white christian nationalist, white supremacist system to the ground. Girls, women, LGBTQ, BIPOC, are not commodities to be used and thrown away by the white men who think they have a god given right to rule over everyone else because they are superior to everyone else. Screw all of them.
I think a government over seas is weighing should they release their files and it’s not going to be a friendly one! America proved what people say. “ we are not such a great country after all. And a person like me from the fifties it’s a sad frightening day! All because men can’t keep
It in their pants! And these young girls are not safe ever, they are just girls! Choose the bear and burn it all down!
I wonder what would happen if the victims came out with their UNREDACTED list complete with details of who, what, when? Would the people named file lawsuits-forcing the release of UNREDACTED files to aid in the victims’ defense? Maybe the victims have some evidence that will be indisputable? At the very least dates and times which could be used to prove the abusers whereabouts and maybe more? Surely there are doormen, gardeners, maintenance workers, etc that know things?
Thank you, Jack. I just say ditto to all the comments. I am 77yo and I feel like the final shred of trust in my government I had has been ripped away. It has been ongoing for years but this is it. LIES, LIES, and more LIES to cover the old white power structure. Burn it all down. Such despair in what should be a happy time.
Well, that was depressing. That’s not criticism Jack. I know you’re right and it’s terrifying and yes, depressing. I can’t stop thinking about how the survivors must feel tonight. I’m furious but unfortunately not shocked. This is pretty much what I expected. Maybe a little worse but… no… this really is what I feared and expected. I hate when your articles end without hope and this one did. I’m sure I didn’t miss it. Just one question… what is the best course of action from this point to hold them accountable? I know Democrats are talking lawsuit but is that useful? I need something to grab onto here.
It was an honest assessment and I appreciate that even if it’s hard to accept so thank you.
#HOLDFAST
~Susan
Ditto.
I just finished listening to Glenn Kirschner’s also angry assessment of what Pam Bondi is guilty of (yes, I could feel the anger in your writing) and that was, if possible, every bit as devastating as reading your article. Probably something I should have known but didn’t is that even if Bondi is found to have violated the “Epstein Transparency Act” as she certainly did, there are no consequences. Violating that law carries no punishment… NONE! Not. One. Single. Thing. It’s 100% a law with no teeth. Wonderful! Why even bother creating a law that can be broken without fear of punishment? Had to add this and that Glenn believes the survivors have standing to file lawsuits that could possibly… possibly… prompt a judge to demand an in-camera review of ALL of the files. Did Glenn believe Bondi might violate such an order should it happen? You already know the answer..
Again, thank you Jack!
#HOLDFAST
~Susan
I saw Glenn, too. I love the way he spits out her name. PAM!
And of course his legendary “Wrong, sport!”
🤣
Wow! Who knew! I totally agree, why bother.
Massie and Khanna have said they're 'thinking about' articles of impeachment (against Bondi, I think). I believe they're unserious controlled opposition because if they were going to, they would have had it ready to go as soon as they recognized noncompliance.
Out of 95,000 photos, the Oversight Committee released a handful of speculative pics that suggest much but say little. Dems are complicit/compromised as much as Republicans.
There are many Dems who would love to destroy Trump, undoubtedly, but they also know that to do that, they'd have to burn it all down. I'm convinced that's why Biden, who was basically bulletproof, didn't do more when he still could. At the end of the day, he was a career politician and a company man. Which I guess is kind of understandable except that they're standing by while *Trump* burns it all down anyway. They've now let him go on for so long that it's almost beyond saving some of our institutions at this point. So in that respect, no, I don't understand it and I hold Dems at least partly responsible for those Epstein fiasco.
From The Independent, Oct 31, 2024 (five days before the infamous election where about 65% of eligible voters voted) by Oliver O’Connell, “Trump vows to ‘protect’ women ‘whether the women like it or not’”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-protect-women-wisconsin-rally-b2638710.html
He’s simply a jerk through and through, always has been, always will be. Donald Jerk Trump.
He has taken ‘jerk’ to a new level, because with him, jerk is contagious, all those who willingly associate with him quickly become jerks too.
Nothing and no one thrives with him, which brings us to the state of affairs we are now in (distrust of organizations and processes and applications of law).
I feel such despair when I think of all of the victims.
I feel despair because we are all the victims. The victims of a very corrupt government. Probably both parties.
I feel anger and defiance. Despair let's them win. Never give up. Other crimes have taken years to bring perpetrators to justice. Think what had to happen to reach Oct 1, 1946 Nuremberg Decision.
When I feel despair, it's temporary.
I have NEVER given up.
#holdfast
The weight of all of this- the pain of the young girls, the physical and mental trauma, the actions ( or lack thereof) of the federal government and the efforts to cover this all up - it’s impossible to make sense of it all. My heart is broken for those women. And my trust that this government will take correct, moral action is gone. It’s hard to reconcile this with my idea of who we are and what we stand for. Where is the justice? I am sick over this and every time I hope to see a move toward justice, I am disappointed.
What is needed is safety for the victims and whistleblowers, and their families.
I fear that the survivors are loose threads.
This article left me wanting more. How do we come back from this? If not, what's next?
And the charade continues…the song that comes to mind by Bob Dylan-“Love is just a four letter word” and justice is only a set of black lines and squares. It’s not the department of education that needs to end, it’s our department of justice that needs to be redone.
Thank you and I appreciate you Jack, your expertise and thoroughness describing every step of the way.
The victims deserve peace and although accountability isn’t taking place, I believe those who harmed the girls or anyone that there is a greater power, I believe God that judges them and the wicked.
Stay safe everyone ❤️
https://apple.news/AUra-APN1TwuxKB6KaHQgqA
One more by the daily beast
“Epstein’s brother blows up White House’s story on Trump’s innocence”
This has been a huge coverup involving both GOP and Dem and now MAGA administrations. I'm 74 and feel like we've been played by all involved over the years. There are no good guys in the Epstein affair. And now the topping on the cake is that we can't even count on the Supreme Court to bring justice to the victims.
I am rambling. Sorry.
Jack, in a way I am glad they finally took off the pretense. Nothing they can do or say now will ever have the ring of truth. It never did. But it put a knife into the heart of his supporters. And this means trump & co truly believe they no longer need their vote. Musk's computers will be working overtime in 2028. There will be elections, they just won't bother to count the votes.
The DNC and the dems who rely on lobbyist favors and AIPAC largess best be shown the door before then, and the voting populace better be damn sure those elected aren't reserving their seat in the Trojan Horse. And they have to damn well fight for us.
I am cynical by nature, and working for most of fifty years as a paralegal in just about every facet of the law (government, criminal, tax, corporate, complex litigation, antitrust, contract, bond, personal injury, malpractice, and probate), hasn't diminished it in the slightest.
But I still believe our nation can be saved. We have one more roll of the dice.
#HoldFast because we need to rock the boat.
Sue
A couple of tidbits came out yesterday that seem to be flying under the radar. First, a woman named Farmer - who was an artist and had been employed by Epstein to help him acquire art - filed a complaint with the FBI in 1996(!!!!) that Epstein was interested in child pornography and had stolen photos and negatives of her very young sisters that she had taken for her own paintings. Nothing ever came of her complaint, she was accused of lying every time she tried to bring it up, and in his sweetheart deal the FBI even said it had no other complaints about him. Except…yesterday they released her complaint in their first document drop.
Next, during one of Florida’s investigations of Epstein and his rape of young girls, Alan Dershowitz filed a friend of the court brief arguing that the age of consent for young girls should be lowered to 14 or 15 years old, thereby paving the way for dropping charges of statutory rape against Epstein.
I was never one to belong to the “burn it all down” group, but this makes me one. We need to burn this patricharchal, heirarchal, white christian nationalist, white supremacist system to the ground. Girls, women, LGBTQ, BIPOC, are not commodities to be used and thrown away by the white men who think they have a god given right to rule over everyone else because they are superior to everyone else. Screw all of them.
I think a government over seas is weighing should they release their files and it’s not going to be a friendly one! America proved what people say. “ we are not such a great country after all. And a person like me from the fifties it’s a sad frightening day! All because men can’t keep
It in their pants! And these young girls are not safe ever, they are just girls! Choose the bear and burn it all down!
I wonder what would happen if the victims came out with their UNREDACTED list complete with details of who, what, when? Would the people named file lawsuits-forcing the release of UNREDACTED files to aid in the victims’ defense? Maybe the victims have some evidence that will be indisputable? At the very least dates and times which could be used to prove the abusers whereabouts and maybe more? Surely there are doormen, gardeners, maintenance workers, etc that know things?
I really don’t think this is over.
Excellent article - thank you
Thank you, Jack. I just say ditto to all the comments. I am 77yo and I feel like the final shred of trust in my government I had has been ripped away. It has been ongoing for years but this is it. LIES, LIES, and more LIES to cover the old white power structure. Burn it all down. Such despair in what should be a happy time.