Today is the (presumed) statutory deadline for release of the so-called “Epstein Files” — although the common expectation that this means the full scope of relevant “files” will actually be released is extremely misguided, given the demands of purported victims and their lawyers to redact, withhold, or otherwise conceal what could turn out to be an enormous cross-section of records in the government’s possession.
Great article. Looking forward to more. So you've definitively established that Epstein was not a convicted pedophile, but there's another important aspect, which is what exactly IS a pedophile and is there evidence Epstein was an unconvicted pedophile? From my research, mainly Grok, pedophilia is limited to prepubescent attraction and involvement, most often meaning the victim must be under age 12, or at most, under age 14. Yet I have not been able to find a single allegation of contact with anyone under age 14. Wasn't there one allegation involving a non-intercourse massage by a 14-year old? Disgusting? Yes. Pedophilia? No. But maybe pedophilia is being slowly redefined in common discourse as any sexual involvement under the legal age of consent. I won't quibble with people who want to call that pedophilia, but I do like precision in the use of words. Maybe it's because we don't have a word for sex with someone aged 14-17, other than underage sex. And aside from all this, I'll be interested in learning exactly why sex with adults age 18+ has anything to do with anything & why these adults are in survivor mode these days.
I do quibble with such people, and they're usually brainwashed Americans or in Anglophone countries. Coincidence? I don't think so. In the past several decades social movements have done a lot of damage in this area, reframing situations that have nothing to do with "pedophilia". It's as insane as anything I've heard from MAGA, really.
It's worth noting that this mania concerning Epstein's "pedophilia" comes on top of the widespread fixation in some conspiracy-minded right-wing circles with lurid stories of pedophilia and sexual victimization of children. The "Pizzagate" episode of a few years ago is perhaps the best known pre-Epstein example, but such stories have been a staple of Q-Anon subculture for years.
I've not paid much attention to the pedophilia story. It is interesting to read this reality check. What I want to know is what happened to all the money Jamie Dimon passed Epstein's way. Why did some people want him dead? Who is able to arrange his suicide and then sell that story? What is his connection to, and what purpose did he serve, for the people who made him very wealthy? Maxwell and Wexner fit in this story somewhere? The women were probably just a tool just as taxes were a way to get Capone.
This has to be a distraction for something else because they want us to obsess over it. In other words, never watch the hand the magician wants you to watch.
I have had to try my best to explain the Epstein story to friends and family alike as if I’m defending the man. Of course I’m not, but it just so happens that Brad Edwards book on his prosecution of Epstein tells all of the Ashley Davis case and a few others. Epstein was a rich sex addict who had poor girls (16-17) come over and massage him with the good chance they would blow him or at least give him a handy. Brad Edwards also makes it clear that he called Trump (after finding his name in the black book) in 2009, and knew then that Trump had nothing to do with any of the sex accusations and was just an acquaintance. Trump cooperated and told Edwards everything he knew. No subpoena or testimony.
Great article. Looking forward to more. So you've definitively established that Epstein was not a convicted pedophile, but there's another important aspect, which is what exactly IS a pedophile and is there evidence Epstein was an unconvicted pedophile? From my research, mainly Grok, pedophilia is limited to prepubescent attraction and involvement, most often meaning the victim must be under age 12, or at most, under age 14. Yet I have not been able to find a single allegation of contact with anyone under age 14. Wasn't there one allegation involving a non-intercourse massage by a 14-year old? Disgusting? Yes. Pedophilia? No. But maybe pedophilia is being slowly redefined in common discourse as any sexual involvement under the legal age of consent. I won't quibble with people who want to call that pedophilia, but I do like precision in the use of words. Maybe it's because we don't have a word for sex with someone aged 14-17, other than underage sex. And aside from all this, I'll be interested in learning exactly why sex with adults age 18+ has anything to do with anything & why these adults are in survivor mode these days.
I do quibble with such people, and they're usually brainwashed Americans or in Anglophone countries. Coincidence? I don't think so. In the past several decades social movements have done a lot of damage in this area, reframing situations that have nothing to do with "pedophilia". It's as insane as anything I've heard from MAGA, really.
Taibbi lost my confidence when I saw him denigrating those that questioned 911.
When you got that limited hangout wanna be journalist supporting you, they're trying to screw you.
But hey you gotta make money so I'll not hold it against you.
Anyway, I trust reporting on what it says. I couldn't give a shit if you sold out or not.
The truth needs no selling.
It's worth noting that this mania concerning Epstein's "pedophilia" comes on top of the widespread fixation in some conspiracy-minded right-wing circles with lurid stories of pedophilia and sexual victimization of children. The "Pizzagate" episode of a few years ago is perhaps the best known pre-Epstein example, but such stories have been a staple of Q-Anon subculture for years.
Excellent work! Thanks Michael!
I've not paid much attention to the pedophilia story. It is interesting to read this reality check. What I want to know is what happened to all the money Jamie Dimon passed Epstein's way. Why did some people want him dead? Who is able to arrange his suicide and then sell that story? What is his connection to, and what purpose did he serve, for the people who made him very wealthy? Maxwell and Wexner fit in this story somewhere? The women were probably just a tool just as taxes were a way to get Capone.
Nobody “arranged his suicide”, though
This has to be a distraction for something else because they want us to obsess over it. In other words, never watch the hand the magician wants you to watch.
Yeah, scummy lawyers and their false accuser clients.
I have had to try my best to explain the Epstein story to friends and family alike as if I’m defending the man. Of course I’m not, but it just so happens that Brad Edwards book on his prosecution of Epstein tells all of the Ashley Davis case and a few others. Epstein was a rich sex addict who had poor girls (16-17) come over and massage him with the good chance they would blow him or at least give him a handy. Brad Edwards also makes it clear that he called Trump (after finding his name in the black book) in 2009, and knew then that Trump had nothing to do with any of the sex accusations and was just an acquaintance. Trump cooperated and told Edwards everything he knew. No subpoena or testimony.
If there is nothing to see why are they hiding it?
What do you allege has been “hidden”, exactly?
Smoke screen
Mikey!
Check this out!
So he liked them young - WHO CARES!
What matters here is that he was JEWISH, Zionist, had Israel relations and influence galore, and he was obscenely rich.
I would say for this profile, the fact that he banged some underage ladies is barely important.
Let's focus on the Semitism of this whole affair!!!
Shall we!