The crimes are horrendous, but watching the news today, it would be easy to believe that these missing minutes of footage of Epstein in his cell, for example, is a new development. It's hard for me to grasp that that footage was still suspiciously missing throughout Biden's entire time in office, and I didn't hear one peep from Democrats about it.
It's still hard for me to grasp that this is all the result of a democratic election (all cheating speculation set aside). I really think that it was Biden and Harris' duty to not hand over power to the man who repeatedly promised to abuse it. It's an unenviable position they were in, but I don't think history will look well on their concession.
I can only pay so much mind to the tragedies of the world each time they occur. Our spirits can only stomach so much misery before they begin to unravel.
Ben, those two sentences, I believe, are universal. In other words, many people feel like this. I know I do. It does do something to the spirit when one spends too much time wallowing in the muck. Yes, we sympathize with the tragedies, but it’s the follow-up and the spin that saps us.
We know that prominent people engaged in sex with underage girls and that the political positions were not the commonality. What I want to see revealed is any evidence that people were and are being blackmailed. I doubt we’ll ever see any files at all. Another great post, Ben.
I really feel like the Epstein files have just turned into a bogeymaan that we're all inflating. If they were released today, I think nothing would really change. Both sides would see in it what they want to see. Democrats would see guilt, and Republicans would see Democratic tampering. The testimony of the *still living* victims seems like it should hold much more weight.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words, Brent! Sorry for the delayed reply.
I'm living on the other side of the ocean, but what you describe is something that is, unfortunately, not new I think. Years (decades ?) ago, one of the possible future president of my country was arrested for sexual abuse. On one hand, I think it's great to see someone in power (or soon to be) to finally be prosecuted, on the other hand, I can't shake the idea that it was known since eons that this man was having "problematic" behaviors (past misbehavior showed up on the case), and the file just fell on some police and judges lap, "just at the right time" (for his political opponent).
It's horrifying to me to see how these felonies are used as political strategies while completely ignoring and forgetting the victims. One opponent (whichever "side" they're on) becomes a "problem" ? Dig up "sex files" !! Or, probably in the shadow, use this as leverage to get someone in power to do sonething for you. The, what ? Vicitms ? Yeah, yeah......
The same happens with child abuse : few years ago, we had an incredible judge who, for once, was listening to the vicitms, and very direct, precise measures have been proposed to be put in action.... Well guess what ? He's been replaced with people happier with all the hush hush about all this... I mean hush hush until "it" can be used against someone else, ie weaponizing sex affairs, not to protect victims, but to get either what you want, or your opponent to fail..... That's disgusting.
I totally agree with you on the hypocrisy of a lots of politician (and people actually, and politician are people after all, and so am I, so are you, so are we) : draping themselves as the guardian of morality just enough time for a good photo, a good article, a good "take", until the next scandal or.... Their next meal.... And somehow, like a lot of us do.
On the bright, cynical side, those affairs can (and should in my oponion) be used as well by NGOs working for and with vicitms, to get more funding and (hopefully) some regulation changes. It's terrible to "play" that game, but if this means getting some traction on long overdue policies and mentality change, then, use the (imperfect) tool they/we have for their/our voices to be heard.
Now, granted, we all have to pick out fights. I'm choosing adultism (and for me the connexion is pretty obvious). Sometimes, compassion and empathy are the best "motors" to start taking actions, sometimes, it's anger and rage (as long as those emotions are not the only one fueling the action on the long run for one's own sanity obviously).
And not very "fight" makes us compationate enough or angry enough to make us "do something". That's OK. We cannot just be constantly enraged or disappointed by anything and everything. But my question is : what are you willing to do about "this" ? And "this" is whatever you want to fight for or fight against. There is (unfortunatly) plenty to chose from.....
Must be nice to have a Y chromosome.
My outrage is not performative.
I think it’s all there: child rape, trafficking, money laundering
The crimes are horrendous, but watching the news today, it would be easy to believe that these missing minutes of footage of Epstein in his cell, for example, is a new development. It's hard for me to grasp that that footage was still suspiciously missing throughout Biden's entire time in office, and I didn't hear one peep from Democrats about it.
In my opinion Biden, Garland&Pelosis failure to hold Trump responsible for multiple legal&constitutional breeches was a failing.
We can’t do that anymore
It's still hard for me to grasp that this is all the result of a democratic election (all cheating speculation set aside). I really think that it was Biden and Harris' duty to not hand over power to the man who repeatedly promised to abuse it. It's an unenviable position they were in, but I don't think history will look well on their concession.
Thanks for reading even if you don't totally agree, Suki!
I can only pay so much mind to the tragedies of the world each time they occur. Our spirits can only stomach so much misery before they begin to unravel.
Ben, those two sentences, I believe, are universal. In other words, many people feel like this. I know I do. It does do something to the spirit when one spends too much time wallowing in the muck. Yes, we sympathize with the tragedies, but it’s the follow-up and the spin that saps us.
We know that prominent people engaged in sex with underage girls and that the political positions were not the commonality. What I want to see revealed is any evidence that people were and are being blackmailed. I doubt we’ll ever see any files at all. Another great post, Ben.
I really feel like the Epstein files have just turned into a bogeymaan that we're all inflating. If they were released today, I think nothing would really change. Both sides would see in it what they want to see. Democrats would see guilt, and Republicans would see Democratic tampering. The testimony of the *still living* victims seems like it should hold much more weight.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words, Brent! Sorry for the delayed reply.
I'm living on the other side of the ocean, but what you describe is something that is, unfortunately, not new I think. Years (decades ?) ago, one of the possible future president of my country was arrested for sexual abuse. On one hand, I think it's great to see someone in power (or soon to be) to finally be prosecuted, on the other hand, I can't shake the idea that it was known since eons that this man was having "problematic" behaviors (past misbehavior showed up on the case), and the file just fell on some police and judges lap, "just at the right time" (for his political opponent).
It's horrifying to me to see how these felonies are used as political strategies while completely ignoring and forgetting the victims. One opponent (whichever "side" they're on) becomes a "problem" ? Dig up "sex files" !! Or, probably in the shadow, use this as leverage to get someone in power to do sonething for you. The, what ? Vicitms ? Yeah, yeah......
The same happens with child abuse : few years ago, we had an incredible judge who, for once, was listening to the vicitms, and very direct, precise measures have been proposed to be put in action.... Well guess what ? He's been replaced with people happier with all the hush hush about all this... I mean hush hush until "it" can be used against someone else, ie weaponizing sex affairs, not to protect victims, but to get either what you want, or your opponent to fail..... That's disgusting.
I totally agree with you on the hypocrisy of a lots of politician (and people actually, and politician are people after all, and so am I, so are you, so are we) : draping themselves as the guardian of morality just enough time for a good photo, a good article, a good "take", until the next scandal or.... Their next meal.... And somehow, like a lot of us do.
On the bright, cynical side, those affairs can (and should in my oponion) be used as well by NGOs working for and with vicitms, to get more funding and (hopefully) some regulation changes. It's terrible to "play" that game, but if this means getting some traction on long overdue policies and mentality change, then, use the (imperfect) tool they/we have for their/our voices to be heard.
Now, granted, we all have to pick out fights. I'm choosing adultism (and for me the connexion is pretty obvious). Sometimes, compassion and empathy are the best "motors" to start taking actions, sometimes, it's anger and rage (as long as those emotions are not the only one fueling the action on the long run for one's own sanity obviously).
And not very "fight" makes us compationate enough or angry enough to make us "do something". That's OK. We cannot just be constantly enraged or disappointed by anything and everything. But my question is : what are you willing to do about "this" ? And "this" is whatever you want to fight for or fight against. There is (unfortunatly) plenty to chose from.....