Jack, I sure hope you are right. But so much relies on the integrity of the 2026 elections. And that's assuming we even get there. Already state election processes are being scrutinized per a recent executive order. There's pushback, but the 2026 election is going to be a mess. None of the "turncoats" mentioned are people I would trust. Perhaps that vote to release the Epstein files was just symbolic, but a few could have crossed the isle. And they didn't. As far as influencers go, perhaps. But most of em are still horrible people. Along with all of the GOP. We must assume we are on our own.
Thank you Jack for this thoughtful and informative article! I must really be unable to read the room, because I can't understand why these maga ghouls would be so outraged about this?? half of them seem to be pedophiles anyway. And to actually take offense on some kind of principle about an issue and not blow it off as fake news seems extraordinarily unusual for these folks. Don't even expect me to believe they are astonished that he lied or that he should have nothing to worry about. I don't get it. It's all been there out front for so long. And, again, don't they realize that he throws away everyone sooner or later? Nobody has a legitimate case to be surprised he's calling his followers stupid.
This was my initial reaction as well, until I realized that I was making a mistake that I repeatedly fall into in assessing the facts from a reasonable point of view. But these are cultists, who by definition have relinquished all ties to any standard of reasonableness. Yes, it is has been common knowledge for decades that he's a rapist and for years that he's an Epstein pedophile. That doesn't really vex his followers. What sticks in their craw isn't the violations of women and girls, it's the fact that they are finally beginning to glimpse the reality that he is a LIAR. Yes, there's been ample evidence before now that he is a pathological liar, but like any good cultists, they are willing to overlook a lot of things - even grotesque transgressions and crimes - but THIS is different. This was his original promise to them. This is the covenant which binds them to him come rape or kidnapping or all manner of grift. They can't be reasonable, but there just might be enough of them capable of perceivi ng - at long last - that they've been had in what is probably the biggest, most ghastly con in human history.
The Democrats need a massive PR campaign to make this a moral issue for US citizens. Not just a spokesperson. A professional campaign run by a team who know how to go on offense. Many opportunities being missed right now. Pussygate and the birthday card aren’t pressure enough in the long term. The Epstein files are just a vehicle to take the moral high ground. Is anyone listening? I’ve said this for months. We are in an echo chamber of outrage on Substack if the message doesn’t get to those who need to hear it.
Jack, I sure hope you are right. But so much relies on the integrity of the 2026 elections. And that's assuming we even get there. Already state election processes are being scrutinized per a recent executive order. There's pushback, but the 2026 election is going to be a mess. None of the "turncoats" mentioned are people I would trust. Perhaps that vote to release the Epstein files was just symbolic, but a few could have crossed the isle. And they didn't. As far as influencers go, perhaps. But most of em are still horrible people. Along with all of the GOP. We must assume we are on our own.
Thank you Jack for this thoughtful and informative article! I must really be unable to read the room, because I can't understand why these maga ghouls would be so outraged about this?? half of them seem to be pedophiles anyway. And to actually take offense on some kind of principle about an issue and not blow it off as fake news seems extraordinarily unusual for these folks. Don't even expect me to believe they are astonished that he lied or that he should have nothing to worry about. I don't get it. It's all been there out front for so long. And, again, don't they realize that he throws away everyone sooner or later? Nobody has a legitimate case to be surprised he's calling his followers stupid.
This was my initial reaction as well, until I realized that I was making a mistake that I repeatedly fall into in assessing the facts from a reasonable point of view. But these are cultists, who by definition have relinquished all ties to any standard of reasonableness. Yes, it is has been common knowledge for decades that he's a rapist and for years that he's an Epstein pedophile. That doesn't really vex his followers. What sticks in their craw isn't the violations of women and girls, it's the fact that they are finally beginning to glimpse the reality that he is a LIAR. Yes, there's been ample evidence before now that he is a pathological liar, but like any good cultists, they are willing to overlook a lot of things - even grotesque transgressions and crimes - but THIS is different. This was his original promise to them. This is the covenant which binds them to him come rape or kidnapping or all manner of grift. They can't be reasonable, but there just might be enough of them capable of perceivi ng - at long last - that they've been had in what is probably the biggest, most ghastly con in human history.
The Democrats need a massive PR campaign to make this a moral issue for US citizens. Not just a spokesperson. A professional campaign run by a team who know how to go on offense. Many opportunities being missed right now. Pussygate and the birthday card aren’t pressure enough in the long term. The Epstein files are just a vehicle to take the moral high ground. Is anyone listening? I’ve said this for months. We are in an echo chamber of outrage on Substack if the message doesn’t get to those who need to hear it.